Breakdown: The Arsenal masterclass that shut down Man City’s attack

The Daily Cannon Tactics Board is back with a bang! Stephen Bradley returns to analyse Arsenal’s impressive defensive display against Manchester City.

This video dives into the tactical strategies that helped Arsenal secure a crucial point at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) comforts Arsenal's Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 31, 2024. Manchester City and Arsenal equalised 0 - 0. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) comforts Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 31, 2024. Manchester City and Arsenal equalised 0 – 0. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Welcome back to The Daily Canon Tactics Board! Stephen Bradley returns to dissect Arsenal‘s defensive display against Manchester City last Sunday.

Bradley dives deep into how Arsenal‘s high press forced City out wide, disrupting their usual possession-based game. He then shows how Arsenal transitioned into a compact low block, creating a formidable “yellow wall” that City simply couldn’t break through.

The video explores how the absence of key defenders like Kyle Walker and John Stones exposed City‘s weaknesses. Bradley highlights how Arsenal exploited these gaps, particularly on the left side, to create chances of their own.

We’ll see how Arsenal employed a well-rehearsed pattern of pressing and moving. This tactic disrupted City‘s rhythm, forcing them to work harder for possession. Additionally, the video analyses how Arsenal‘s forward movement pushed City back and their defensive positioning closed down space when City lost the ball.

Bradley explains how Manchester City‘s inability to adapt to Arsenal‘s dynamic movement and pressing ultimately led to their lack of clear-cut chances. This forced City to play a more reserved game, limiting their attacking potential.

The video concludes by showcasing Arsenal‘s incredible defensive resilience. Despite City‘s dominance in possession, Arsenal remained organized and compact, restricting them to a single shot on target.

For more in-depth analysis and the latest Arsenal news, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DailyCannon and https://twitter.com/bradley08.