Only Liverpool laughed at Guardiola's bus, Manchester City Arsenal draw with four minutes left
Sep 22, 2025
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Manchester City drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the fifth round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2025-2026 season at the Emirates Stadium in London, England on the 22nd (Korea time).
Manchester City, which took the lead with Elling Holan's first goal in the 9th minute of the first half, maintained a 1-0 lead until the end of regular time, but conceded an equalizer through Gabriel Martinelli in the 3rd minute of extra time in the second half.
As a result, Manchester City remained in ninth place with 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses and 7 points without continuing its 3-0 victory in the Manchester derby against Manchester United. Seven points are the lowest points in 19 years since the 2006 Stuart Pearce, who had four points in five games since the opening.
Arsenal rose to second place with three wins, one draw and one loss and 10 points. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has become the first manager to be unbeaten in five consecutive games in the league against Guardiola.
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Guardiola's game-winner was an extreme defensive tactic that is often described as 'setting up a bus'.
Guardiola started his defense from the middle of the second half, perhaps due to the players' high fatigue due to the European Champions League schedule against Naples during the week. In the 31st minute, he switched to a 5-5-0 formation by leaving out striker Holan and putting in defensive midfielder Nico González.
The British public broadcaster `BBC' said 'This tactic seemed to be a direct translation of Jose Mourinho's tactics. Current Benfica coach Mourinho was synonymous with a solid defensive tactic when he was the head coach of Chelsea.
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Guardiola said, `We don't try to play this way, but when the opponent is strong, we strengthen our defense and try to counterattack. I don't want to do that, but at this level I should. In some games, we need to adjust (the tactics) to suit the situation."
"The players were very tired, and there were many injuries," he added. When asked if the expression 'Stop the bus' is used negatively, isn't it okay once every 10 years?" gleefully responded.
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Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards criticised Manchester City for being the worst player he has seen in a long time. He pointed out "It wasn't Pep's tactics, it was Mourinho or Sam Allardyce's."
Former Arsenal winger Sio Walcutt said he supported Guardiola's decision but paid for the 'mistake after mistake'.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
