- City lost the first game of the Premier League season against Wolves last week
- They have faced teams that defend in numbers, but Arsenal should be different
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast ‘It all begins!’
Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal will offer more chances than Wolves last week as Manchester City look to avoid back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time in five years.
City’s title defense started with six wins before a shock reversal last Saturday halted the positive momentum after Guardiola’s side were suppressed at Molineux.
Phil Foden revealed earlier this week that City must ‘tolerate’ the opposition and Guardiola hopes they will feel liberated by a more open game at the Emirates on Sunday.
‘Wolves’ approach is different from Arsenal’s. Wolves defended from minute one, their striker going with midfielder and eleven players in their penalty area. Arsenal sometimes do man marking, which sometimes allows you to do your process. But after they become so aggressive, they have clear patterns.”
City are without Rodri in north London, serving the third game of his suspension, and the Spaniard has been given a holiday.
“He’s one of the best in the world so his influence is big,” the City boss added. ‘We have always handled the absences. Sometimes when Manchester City lose the game and this is the story, the news, then we are on the right track.’
Pep Guardiola expects a more open match when Manchester City plays Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
City will play the match without key man Rodri (left), who will serve the final game of a three-match suspension
