{"id":1217772,"date":"2021-08-28T14:52:21","date_gmt":"2021-08-28T13:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1217772"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:52:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T11:52:04","slug":"man-city-arsenal-stats-reaction-guardiola-on-ronaldo","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/man-city-arsenal-stats-reaction-guardiola-on-ronaldo\/","title":{"rendered":"The good, the bad and the ugly as Man City get over Ronaldo rejection by thrashing Arsenal"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s been a strange 2021 summer transfer window for Premier League champions Manchester City who could have added Harry Kane, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to Pep Guardiola’s already star-studded first team squad.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If they had signed one it would’ve been a real psychological blow to City’s title rivals instead they remain slight championship favourites even with Ronaldo back at Manchester United plus Liverpool and Chelsea looking seriously promising themselves.<\/p>\n

“I would say frustrated isn’t the right word,” he told BT Sport before kick-off. “We have an exceptional squad, I say thank you all the time to the club and the organisation for the future and the best players possible to compete. We aren’t frustrated, it’s good that a player like Cristiano Ronaldo is back in England for the Premier League. It’s good news.”<\/p>\n

This afternoon’s visit of Arsenal proved Guardiola right. Setting up his starting eleven in an unchanged 4-3-3 shape; the rejuvenated Gabriel Jesus and \u00a3100m-man Jack Grealish sitting either side of Ferran Torres, who operated as City’s ‘false nine’ as they comfortably ran out 5-0 winners at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n

Liverpool vs Chelsea: Betting Offer<\/h2>\n

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Striker-less Man City still lethal in attack<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under significant pressure coming into this weekend\u2019s showdown Mikel Arteta saw his Gunners side begin on the front foot, but old habits die hard, the Londoners found themselves behind with the game seven minutes old after City\u2019s inspirational German midfielder \u2014 and captain for the day \u2014 Ilkay G\u00fcndogan nodded the hosts ahead from a brilliant Jesus cross (the Brazilian’s third assist in two home league games). It was their first meaningful attack. Things immediately went from bad to worse as the aforementioned Torres was first to react following a set-piece.<\/p>\n

A year ago he was the club’s major signing and since joining the 21-year-old Spanish forward needed to be patient for playing time — particularly in England’s top division — given the level of attacking competition at the club. Torres nevertheless finished with seven goals across 24 appearances, which included a hat-trick against Newcastle United, with today’s strike his first of the 2021\/22 season. Following his special moment at St James’ Park there was a hint from Guardiola that Torres was a strong option to fill Sergio Aguero’s big shoes. “He came as a winger, but he has to think about (being) a striker,” he said.<\/p>\n

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Manchester City in the opening 30 minutes against Arsenal:<\/p>\n

\u25c9 2 shots
\u25c9 2 shots on target
\u25c9 2 goals<\/p>\n

Efficiency. pic.twitter.com\/Y3yQ2oJMmV<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 28, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n