The draw conceded by Manchester City to the Emirates against Arsenal (1-1) left a bitter taste. Pep Guardiola, frustrated by the equalization of Martinelli in additional time, invoked fatigue to explain the drop in the diet of his players. A justification that surprised more than one, especially after only five days of the Premier League.
Roy Keane Recadre Guardiola after Arsenal-City
It's Roy Keane, consultant for Sky Sports And former emblematic captain of Manchester United, who drew the first. According to him, talking about exhaustion in September is not admissible. “This is the challenge when you are targeting titles: chaining matches and staying competitive. I am surprised to hear Guardiola complaining after two home matches and a short trip to London ”he hammered, judging the words “out of words”.
It must be said that the arguments of the Catalan coach seem fragile. Admittedly, City came out of a Champions League match against Naples, but the English had played in numerical superiority for more than an hour. In addition, other clubs like Chelsea have experienced similar calendars without pointing the finger at wear in September. The explanation does not convince.
A disturbing statistic
Beyond the injuries, the content questions. Faced with Arsenal, City had only 32.8 % possession, its lowest total since the arrival of Guardiola in the elite. This lack of mastery ended up costing dearly, inviting the Gunners to push until equalization. Fatigue cannot alone explain this loss of identity.
City will now chain four games in twelve days, between Carabao Cup, Premier League and Champions League. Guardiola will have the opportunity to turn his workforce, but his words already reveal a certain nervousness. For Keane as for many, these “whining” may serve more than they protect its players.
