eurosport.com
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes that his old club paid Manchester City too much respect in their 1-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men on Sunday.
The Gunners fell behind to a Raheem Sterling header within 90 seconds of kickoff at the Emirates Stadium, and Ederson stayed largely untroubled in the City net through many periods of Arsenal possession.
Mikel Arteta’s men did not reach the pressing intensity City demonstrated over the 90 minutes in North London, and Keown believes Arsenal deservedly lost by giving so much credit to their opponents.
Keown wrote for The Daily Mail, “It surprised me that Arsenal didn’t press Manchester City like they had pressed Leeds in their last home game. Rob Keeping did not pick up Raheem Sterling and with two minutes on the clock, the 5ft 7in winger scored a winning header. That Arsenal won a penalty to make it 2-0 was because of their high press against Leeds. Until aiding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to make it 4-0, Emile Smith Rowe later picked up possession on the edge of the opposition net.
It was different on Sunday. Arsenal showed so much respect for the visitors and City was allowed to dominate. Without any pressure, they could pull it out from the back.”
