Arteta Forces Guardiola to Park the Bus in 1-1 Arsenal Draw

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Mikel Arteta remains Pep Guardiola’s kryptonite, and once again it showed. Manchester City failed to register a win against Arsenal, extending a frustrating run against the Gunners.Erling Haaland struck early, finding the net inside nine minutes to give City the lead. But by the 68th minute, Guardiola had deployed a back five, desperately trying to protect it.Swapping attacking threats for defensive cover, Guardiola did the unthinkable: he parked the bus, a tactic he had recently vowed never to use, all while insisting he would stay true to his philosophy. But that tactic did not pay off.Arsenal found their moment in injury time. Gabriel Martinelli – assisted by Eze – broke through and lobbed the ball over the City keeper to seal a dramatic 1-1 draw.Guardiola: “I don’t change”Not long ago, speaking to TNT Sports, Guardiola declared:“Never, ever will I change my beliefs in the way we are going to play. But if you regain [the ball] up the pitch, I want to attack quickly.“When the opponents do high pressing man-to-man and we break the first press, I want to attack quickly. But after that, I love to pass the ball a thousand, million boring passes. I love it.”If we were to take him at his word, then watching him go defensive against Arsenal makes him look like a liar. It is clear he conceded his side could not go toe-to-toe with Arteta’s Arsenal, so he chose to defend. Sometimes you defend because the opponent is better. And this Arsenal side? They are the real deal.Mikel Arteta (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Guardiola’s kryptoniteArteta has Guardiola’s number. That much is obvious; he is forcing him into decisions that betray his own principles. Arsenal are now unbeaten in six against City, with five of those wins / draws coming in the league.Those five league games also make Arteta the only manager to go five straight Premier League matches unbeaten against Guardiola. Once a trusted lieutenant, now a tactical nemesis, Arteta must surely haunt Guardiola’s dreams.After all the bad Arteta press at our draw with City, do you have any positive points to add?Daniel O__________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsArteta Forces Guardiola to Park the Bus in 1-1 Arsenal Draw22 September 2025, 14:30“Brightest player”: English Media Praise Madueke as Arsenal’s Standout vs Man City22 September 2025, 13:30From Madueke’s Spark to Martinelli’s Impact – Key Talking Points vs City22 September 2025, 12:30The post Arteta Forces Guardiola to Park the Bus in 1-1 Arsenal Draw appeared first on Just Arsenal News.