Thread by @DylanBuesnel

For the upcoming game for @arsenal against Manchester City on Sunday, I have put together an opposition analysis to give a greater detail into what we can expect from Man. City 🔍 #ARSMCI #AFC #ARSENAL

Firstly, a brief overview of Manchester City, including their recent form and some injury updates ahead of the fixture. Pep confirmed Gündogan will be fit for the match...

Next, we look into their recent line-ups and their most used across their last six matches. Their is clear consistency throughout but there can be minor adjustments due to their midweek game vs. Everton...

Using data to help make a less subjective decision. Mahrez slightly edges it against Foden who has also been used for five games but Pep could use either on Sunday. To fit in more inform attackers he could opt for a 4-5-1 or a 4-2-3-1 (which he used last time vs Arsenal)...

What are Man. City like in possession? Modern day full-backs are normally bombing it forward and staying high and wide but Pep uses them in a unique inverted way, allowing them to come in and the wingers staying wide. Below we can see their shape...

In their build-up phase, they use three players at the back, which can sometimes involve the GK with both CB’s but it normally is one FB alongside the CBs. Allowing the other FB to come in a CM role, which in effect lets Gündogan to push higher, which we can see below...

Once the ball is progressed, Man. City are experts in drawing in a press then exploiting the space in-behind. Pep coaches a way to close of the body to attract the press then quickly explode into the space in-behind the defender. Something to watch out for when defending...

A clear and obvious threat is Gündogan, he has found a taste for goal this season. He is upping his progressive runs and touches inside the box. Which has resulted, in a better quality chances for him inside the area...

Out of possession, Man. City form into a 4-4-2 shape, with Foden or Silva helping out Jesus. They are effective at pressing high and they commit players to win possession the final third, one of which is Gündogan. This can ultimately leave Rodri (holding mid)...

Here we can see the high press inaction in the first part, however, it can also leave a large amount of space which is shown in the second part. This pocket is were we can overload and get creative mids to receive the ball, allowing us to bypass the press...

In the transitional phase, due to Man. City committing players forward it can be exposed via a long ball. This also helps get past their high intense press. They’re lacking players sweeping up the second ball infront of their defence, something that we can take advantage of...

Finally, set-pieces. Looking at how they press on goal kicks. Jesus will press the receiving CB and a winger will also help but this leaves a chance to quickly interlink and expose the help from the winger as we saw this Spurs. It requires our FB to commit high into the space...

For defensive corners they have three blockers/man markers to slow down the opponents. The rest are zonal across their six-yard box and one player covering anything going short...

In game, we can identify that they use smaller players such as Sterling, Silva and Zinchenko to slow down the opponents around the penalty area. This could leave a possible mismatch if one is dragged to the back post where they have little cover...

For attacking corners, Man. City favour both the short corner and the GK zone. The GK zone was also their most successful place for shots out of all the highlighted areas...

They set-up with three players again around the pen spot, just like the defensive corners but these are their target men, such as; Stones, Rodri and Laporte. Then Jesus is occupying the six-yard box to disrupt play and get any second balls...

In summary #Arsenal must be on the watch for the in form Gündogan. He's been one of Man. City's most effective players this season. They have a few weaknesses and Arteta must be aware of how they can be exploited!

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