Pep Guardiola Only Chooses To Praise Two Arsenal Players Following Draw

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on two Arsenal defenders following their dramatic 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The match, which saw Arsenal come agonisingly close to a famous victory, showcased the resilience and defensive strength of Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal had taken the lead late in the first half, thanks to their robust defence and tactical sharpness. However, a last-minute equaliser from City’s John Stones snatched a point, leaving Arsenal heartbroken but with much to be proud of in their performance.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Guardiola singled out Arsenal defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes for special recognition. Both players scored crucial goals for the Gunners, and Guardiola admitted their contributions were pivotal.

“Calafiori’s goal was exceptional. We have to defend the second goal better, but credit to them,” Guardiola said via football.london. “Gabriel is so strong, especially in those moments at the front post, which happens every game.”

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Pep Guardiola also acknowledged Arsenal’s defensive tenacity, particularly after going down to 10 men. “After the red card, give credit to Arsenal because they were really, really good. They’re fighting to steal our Premier League crown, and they showed that today.”

Mikel Arteta’s tactical evolution has transformed Arsenal into a defensively solid side, a quality rarely associated with Arsène Wenger’s later teams. At the heart of this transformation is Gabriel Magalhaes, who led Arsenal’s defence with grit and determination, even wearing the captain’s armband in the second half.

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Gabriel’s headed goal came as no surprise, a testament to Arsenal’s prowess in set pieces, even against a team as formidable as Manchester City. Alongside him, Riccardo Calafiori, another standout performer, demonstrated Arsenal’s depth and ability to trouble the Premier League champions.

Despite his limited Premier League experience due to injury, Jurrien Timber has quickly emerged as another key figure in Arteta’s backline. Though not the tallest, Timber’s defensive intelligence and composure on the ball have impressed. His return to fitness has added further depth to a defence already known for its power and tactical awareness.

Arteta has long sought to build a defence capable of withstanding the rigours of the Premier League, and in Gabriel, Calafiori, and Timber, he appears to have found the right balance. Despite the late equaliser, Arsenal’s performance at the Etihad has signalled their intent to challenge City for the Premier League title this season.