Arsenal failed to hold on in the dying seconds of their 2-2 Premier League draw with rivals Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side produced a superb second-half rearguard action at the Etihad Stadium as they sought a first win under the Basque coach in Manchester.
Arteta earned his first win against Pep Guardiola last season but was thwarted in his quest for a first victory in Manchester when John Stones came off the bench to equalise in the eighth minute of added time.
Arsenal were stuck in a low defensive block for the entire second half after Leandro Trossard’s controversial red card, while Arteta relied on his defensive strength to prevail.
Despite coming within seconds of achieving his goal in a perfect display of defensive resilience, Arteta’s tactics were criticised by former Manchester United captain and multiple Premier League winner Roy Keane.
“I give Arsenal credit for the way they sat down to ten men but they still needed to do a bit more in terms of possession,” Sky Sports quotes him as saying.
“I just think they need to show a little bit more in these games” ?♂️
Roy Keane believes Arsenal still need to do more in terms of possession against Manchester City ⚽ pic.twitter.com/qzFp83E31d
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
“In the end, you always felt like a City goal was coming. I just wanted to see a different side of Arsenal and I didn’t really see that today.
“Before the game they could have drawn. They just needed a few passes or a few more players to get a free kick, get them up the pitch, that pressure was the key.
“A corner at the end of the match cost them dearly. They have to show a bit more quality, decision-making, they have to show even more in this kind of match.”