Pep Guardiola set surprise record during Arsenal vs Man City, it’s Jose Mourinho-esque
Pep Guardiola showed he may be changing his tactics towards a Jose Mourinho style approach during Man City’s draw at Arsenal.
Erling Haaland’s opener put Man City into an early lead within the opening 10 minutes, and it looked as though the Citizens would hold on for all three points.
Mikel Arteta dropped Eberechi Eze, but it was the midfielder who assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s injury time equaliser.
Bernardo Silva was lucky to avoid a red card to stay on the pitch in the first half, and the 1-1 draw means Liverpool open up a five point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Man City record new possession low under Pep Guardiola
For just the fourth time under Guardiola, Man City recorded under 40% possession during a Premier League match.
32.8% – Manchester City's draw at the Emirates included the lowest ever possession average by a Pep Guardiola team in a top-flight league match (today his 601st), while the two lowest have both been at Arsenal in the Premier League (32.8% today, 36.5% in March 2023). Pragmatism. pic.twitter.com/MgBd9Gtehj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2025
Guardiola opted to make defensive changes and changed shape to a 5-4-1 to try and see the game out.
| Premier League match | Possession |
| Man City vs Arsenal – 21/09/2025 | 32.82% |
| Man City vs Arsenal – 15/02/2023 | 36.5% |
| Man City vs Brighton – 18/05/2021 | 37.32% |
| Man City vs Wolves – 27/12/2019 | 38.08% |
| Man City vs Liverpool – 07/02/2021 | 44.12% |
Nathan Ake came on for Phil Foden with 20 minutes remaining, and Haaland was substituted with 14 minutes left.
Centre-back John Stones also came on, but the move didn’t work out as Martinelli’s 93rd minute goal nicked a point for Arsenal.
Gary Neville has never seen Guardiola ‘go so defensive’
Former Man United defender Gary Neville was left intrigued by Guardiola’s tactics and substitutions during the second.
Speaking on Sky Sports during the second half [21 September], Neville said: “It is a really intriguing last 15 minutes as I do not think I have ever seen Guardiola go so defensive – it shows the greatest managers adapt and improve.
“They are physical, strong and pragmatic.”
Despite Arsenal’s late equaliser, the Gunners only managed two shots on target during the second half, suggesting Man City’s approach was working against a title rival.
Man City though did not offer much threat going forward themselves though, with just one shot on target recorded, and that may partly be down to Guardiola’s defensive substitutions.