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No Defence For City: Guardiola

The Straits Times

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February 04, 2025

Spaniard blames his side and himself after errors lead to a capitulation against Arsenal

No Defence For City: Guardiola

Pep Guardiola slammed "fragile" Manchester City for surrendering in the closing stages of their humiliating 5-1 English Premier League defeat by title-chasing Arsenal at the Emirates on Feb 2.

Guardiola's side crumbled to yet another dismal result in a woeful season as Arsenal ran riot. City had clawed their way back into the game when Erling Haaland's equaliser early in the second half cancelled out Martin Odegaard's opener after just 103 seconds.

However, the spluttering champions immediately handed the momentum back to Arsenal when Phil Foden's wayward pass was intercepted by Thomas Partey, whose shot deflected in off John Stones.

That was the spark for City's collapse as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri exposed the gaping holes in the visitors' defence.

It was a shocking meltdown, even by the standards of City's numerous self-inflicted wounds this term. They have now committed eight errors leading to goals in the league this season, their most in any campaign under Guardiola.

The 54-year-old, in his ninth season in charge of fourth-placed City, cut an agitated figure throughout a chastening afternoon and he conceded his players had only themselves to blame.

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