Thread by @city_tactics

Arsenal today.
The home match was significant and unique from a tactical perspective 1/

The match was pre @city_tactics but was one of the most interesting of the season. City set up with Ake and Cancelo nominally as full backs and Walker and Dias at centre back.
Rodri and Bernardo in midfield supported Mahrez and Foden wide and Sterling playing off Aguero 2/

It was unique because we’ve not seen Walker line up nominally as a centre back before or since.
It was also one of only 2 PL starts for Aguero so far this season and Sterling has rarely played centrally since either 3/

However the most significant aspect of City’s set up that day was Joao Cancelo’s first start of the season. It was also the first time we saw him in the role he’s now become accustomed to. In possession he was pushed into midfield leaving a back 3 of Ake, Dias and Walker 4/

At the time it was unknown if this set up had been put in place solely to deal with Aubameyang.
It had been, that’s why Walker hasn’t played behind Cancelo since, but the shape at the back was a glimpse of the future 5/

We didn’t get there straight away, following the Spurs defeat City returned to conventional full backs and a double pivot to stop the rot 6/

But once the defence had tightened up in December, Pep began to release players. Gundogan was pushed forward and Cancelo went into his full back/midfielder hybrid role. They’ve been the two stand out performers since 7/

Expect to see this shape today. Management of minutes ahead of Europe midweek might determine if City push the left back or right back into midfield.
But don’t be surprised to see Walker deployed as part of the back 3 in possession to deal with Aubameyang’s pace on the break 8//

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