Not One or Two Players – Pep Guardiola says some Arsenal players taught him valuable lesson as Man City win Premier League title

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In a jubilant celebration on Sunday, Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City’s triumph, identified two pivotal figures from Arsenal as crucial components of their Premier League title challenge.

Following a scintillating season, in which City clinched the championship for the fifth time in six years, the Gunners, who had been hot on City’s heels throughout the campaign, succumbed to defeat against Nottingham Forest.

The ecstatic scenes at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday epitomized City’s relentless pursuit of glory, as they emerged victorious over Chelsea, fostering an atmosphere akin to a carnival.

With their eyes firmly fixed on an unprecedented treble, City are set to engage in a historic clash with their Manchester rivals in the first-ever FA Cup final between the two sides, scheduled for early June. Subsequently, they will face Inter in the grand finale of the Champions League in Istanbul, hoping to etch their names in football history.

City’s remarkable resurgence, which saw them overcome Arsenal’s lead after the resumption of domestic football following the World Cup, was accompanied by a tactical alteration by Guardiola.

Departing from his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 system, the champion manager adopted a three-man defensive line, a move that proved instrumental in their triumphant campaign. Guardiola commended the defensive duo of Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji for their outstanding ability to thwart the threat posed by Arsenal’s formidable attacking duo of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

The deployment of a three-man defensive line allowed City to showcase their defensive solidity, successfully stifling the attacking prowess of their opponents. Ake, with his astute positioning and ability to read the game, ensured that Saka’s incisive runs were nullified, while Akanji’s impeccable composure under pressure curtailed the dangerous exploits of Martinelli.

Their performances were pivotal in enabling City to seize the initiative in crucial encounters against Arsenal, ultimately propelling them to reclaim the Premier League throne.

As the curtains draw to a close on a captivating season, Guardiola’s faith in Ake and Akanji is testament to his tactical acumen and the meticulous planning that underpinned City’s success. With the prospect of an exhilarating Manchester derby in the FA Cup final followed by a tantalizing showdown against Inter in the Champions League final, Guardiola’s reliance on these defensive stalwarts will undoubtedly be vital in securing City’s quest for an unprecedented treble.

“[Nathan Ake] has been fundamental for us,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports.

“I learnt this season when you play against Bukayo Saka, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli or Mohamed Salah, you need proper defenders to win duels one-on-one.

“They need just one action to beat you. Nathan gave us a boost that we did not have in the past.”