Pep Guardiola quipped that James McAtee is "adorable" after the youngster netted his first Manchester City goal.

McAtee, who has spent most of the past two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, came on from the bench to score City's fourth in their 4-0 rout of Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday.

It was McAtee's second appearance in the Champions League, two years and 206 days since his debut in the competition – that is the longest gap between a Man City player's first and second outing in the competition.  

"We are so happy with him, he's adorable, and all the guys love him," Guardiola said of the 21-year-old City academy graduate.

"McAtee moved really well in small spaces, made a fantastic goal, had another chance, and for him will be a good boost, we want to make him feel he is part of that group."

Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for City in the eighth minute, with Phil Foden netting a second before Erling Haaland made it 3-0.

"The group of players are fantastic, we played a good game, a lot of chances and the first three points of the competition," said Guardiola, whose team were held to a goalless draw by Inter in their opening match.

"Win your games it will be enough. We got the first victory to [move up] the table a little bit higher than we were, so it's nice."

Since his debut in the competition for City in September 2022, Erling Haaland has scored more goals in the Champions League than any other player, netting 19 goals in just 22 appearances for the Citizens.  

Foden, meanwhile, is one of four players to have scored in each of the last seven Champions League campaigns (since 2018-19) along with Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

And Guardiola thought last year's Premier League Player of the Year was much more like himself after a slow start to the season from his perspective.

"Made a fantastic goal, just passed the ball to the post, always I say 'Pass the ball to the post, not shoot, and you'll have more chances'," Guardiola said.

"Step by step, it is coming back."

City are now unbeaten in each of their last 25 Champions League games (W17 D8), the joint-longest run without defeat in European Cup/UEFA Champions history, level with Manchester United between September 2007 and May 2009.

Manchester City got their Champions League campaign up and running with a 4-0 rout of Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday, with Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and James McAtee scoring.

The Premier League champions set up camp in Slovan's half and laid siege to their goal for the duration of the contest at the Stadion Tehelne Pole.

They only needed eight minutes to make the breakthrough as Gundogan scored his first goal since returning to the club after a single season at Barcelona, with his shot deflecting in off Kyriakos Savvidis.

Foden then doubled City's lead with his first goal of the season in the 15th minute, latching onto a pass from Jeremy Doku and curling a strike into the bottom corner. 

Haaland killed the game as a contest just before the hour mark, sprinting onto Rico Lewis's pass then stepping around goalkeeper Dominik Takac before slotting into the empty net for his 42nd goal in Europe's premier club competition. 

Foden then added an assist to his earlier goal in the 74th minute, teeing up youngster McAtee for his first ever City goal with a dinked pass.

City, winners of the 2022-23 Champions League, opened this season's campaign with a 0-0 draw with Inter and now sit fourth in the standings. Slovan, meanwhile, are 35th after also losing 5-1 to Celtic on matchday one.

Data Debrief: City equal United record

City's victory saw them stretch their unbeaten run in the Champions League to 25 matches, with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid last season the only blot on their record since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

It is the joint-longest streak in the competition's history, alongside Manchester United's run between September 2007 and May 2009, which included them lifting the trophy in 2007-08.

City have won 17 and drawn eight of their matches in that run, plundering 64 goals to just 38 by United on their streak.

They will have the chance to overhaul their neighbours outright on matchday three, when they host Sparta Prague.

Pep Guardiola predicted it will not be long until Phil Foden is back to his best for Manchester City.

Foden was named PFA Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Year following an exceptional season in 2023-24.

However, after featuring for England at Euro 2024, Foden has begun four of his five games this season on the bench, with his only start coming against Watford in the EFL Cup.

Speaking ahead of City's Champions League clash away in Slovakia against Slovan Bratislava, Guardiola said he was not concerned, though.

"Maybe I can have some doubts in many things, but Phil Foden is going to be back! As much as he feels good, he will be back," Guardiola told reporters.

"I think in 30 minutes at St James' Park [against Newcastle on Saturday], I felt already something that I like that I didn't see for example against Watford."

Foden is yet to score this season but an away trip to Bratislava, beaten 5-1 in their opening game at Celtic, could be the moment for him to open his account.

"Don't forget after the Euros he didn't have any training for two months, he had problems with some niggles and some problems in his health," Guardiola said.

"But now he is smiling and he's in his rhythm. He was the best player in the Premier League last season so we need him, he was important for us, but I have no doubts with his love for football and his training and passion, he will be back."

City drew their opening Champions League group game 0-0 at home against Inter and will be expected to dispatch of Bratislava on Tuesday with ease.

"I have incredible respect for all the teams in the Champions League especially when you play away," Guardiola said. "Hopefully we can be aggressive and take the result that we need.

"I have learned (in my career) that nothing is for granted. Nothing comes for free."

Should City, as expected, avoid defeat, they will equal the record for the longest unbeaten run in European Cup/Champions League history, which is held by Manchester United (25 games between September 2007 and May 2009).

Guardiola's side have won 16 and drawn eight of their last 24 matches in the Champions League, scoring 60 goals and conceding just 18 in return in that run.

Mikel Arteta is "so grateful" to Pep Guardiola, though the Arsenal manager claimed it is out of his hands if somebody else wishes to damage his relationship with Manchester City's boss.

Tempers flared in the 2-2 draw between the Premier League title rivals at the Etihad Stadium last week.

Ahead of this weekend's fixtures, Guardiola said City would go to "war" with Arsenal, who joined the reigning champions on 14 points after Saturday's games.

While City drew 1-1 at Newcastle United, Arsenal clinched a 4-2 victory over Leicester City thanks to two stoppage-time goals.

After that match, though, Arteta was still asked about Guardiola.

"I've admired him since I was 10 years old," Arteta said on Saturday.

"I respect him profoundly. I'm so grateful for everything he did for me and continues to do for me.

"If someone wants to damage the relationship, that's not in my hands.

"The feeling [of affection] is profound. [Guardiola] knows it, the staff know it because I still [speak] with them today, and with the board, the ownership – with everyone."

Arteta was a coach at City between 2016 and 2019, until he left to replace Unai Emery in charge of the Gunners.

Pep Guardiola was pleased with the performance of his midfielders in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, but knows he must find solutions in Rodri's absence.

Rodri ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last week and his unavailability proved costly last season, with City losing three of the four league matches in which he did not feature.

Of the 50 matches Rodri played in all competitions for City last term, Guardiola's side won 38 and only lost once, but they lost four of the nine games he missed.

Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic formed City's central pairing against Newcastle on Saturday and Guardiola believes he has the quality in his ranks to plug the gap.

"I know you are going to ask me all the time, but he [Rodri] is not there," said Guardiola, who was also without the injured Kevin De Bruyne at St James' Park.

"Kovacic, Bernardo [Silva], Rico did well, but I have to find solutions. I would love Rodri to be here.

"I see my team and recognise them perfectly. We had chances to score and in midfield we were strong. The issue was balls in behind.

"But sometimes it happens and you have to adapt. We had chances to score, but this is their stadium and they had chances to score, so I'm happy (with a point)."

City failed to score multiple goals in a Premier League match for the first time in 15 games.

Despite dropping points in the league for the second successive match, and having seen City also take the lead through Josko Gvardiol, Guardiola was content with a point against a much-improved Newcastle.

He said: "Sometimes it happens and you have to adapt. We had chances to score, but this is their stadium and they had chances to score, so I'm happy."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola rued his side's finishing after their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday.

City had taken the lead in the first half through Josko Gvardiol, after neat play from Jack Grealish helped create the goal, but were pegged back when Anthony Gordon won and converted a penalty after the break.

Despite having 16 shots, and six efforts on target, City only registered 0.87 expected goals (xG), suggesting those chances were not of a high quality.

Erling Haaland failed to extend his scoring run, while Nick Pope made a fine save from Bernardo Silva late on, as City saw a run of 14 successive Premier League matches in which they had scored multiple goals come to an end.

A frustrated Guardiola told TNT Sports: "We made bad decisions at the last minute to make it 2-0. It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep.

"We had chances but Pope was brilliant so we take the point.

"When we scored we played better. We make a mistake and after they play better. But then we take the game again and had chances to win it.

"They had moments in first ten minutes and after their goal, but in general we played really good."

Guardiola was full of praise for City's midfielders, with Rodri's season-ending knee injury leaving him searching for solutions.

"Mateo [Kovacic] was brilliant, Rico [Lewis] too. Bernardo played there. Really good," Guardiola said.

City are back in European action on Tuesday, as they travel to Slovakia to face Slovan Bratislava.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had been "provoked" into a "war" with Arsenal after the two sides drew 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium in a drama-filled clash.

City players John Stones and Kyle Walker suggested the Gunners used the "dark arts" as they sought to defend a 2-1 lead in the second half with 10 men.

Mikel Arteta's men had just one shot and 12.4% possession following the break, after Leandro Trossard had been sent off just before half-time.

While Stones salvaged a point with a late equaliser, Arsenal’s defensive approach led Guardiola to call into question what had previously been a cordial relationship with former protegee Arteta.

"Gabriel [Magalhaes] said it perfectly in the press after the match, so this is a war. We have to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? You provoke me, OK, I'm there," the City boss told the media.

"You want a war? Now we war."

Last Sunday's result means City have failed to beat Arsenal in their last four meetings in all competitions.

Arsenal had overturned a 1-0 deficit in the first half after an early Erling Haaland goal to lead 2-1 through Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel.

When asked about accusations of the "dark arts", Arteta reflected the claims back on his opponents in reference to the time he spent at City as Guardiola's assistant.

"I was there for four years. I have all the information, so I know, believe me," the Spaniard jibed.

The City boss responded: "Next time Mikel has to be more clear about exactly what he means.

"He said he was here four years and knows exactly what happened here. That can be related to the process now with 115 charges, maybe he knows information about that? Or maybe he had something like, I don't know?

"Hopefully, this question has been asked, and he can answer exactly what he means."

Arteta is still hugely respectful of his former mentor.

"I love him, I respect him, and I admire him. I admire his team and everything that he does," added Arteta.

Mikel Arteta insists the title fight between Arsenal and Manchester City will not affect his relationship with Pep Guardiola.

The sides played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Premier League last Sunday, with City snatching a last-gasp equaliser after 10-man Arsenal had staunchly defended throughout the second half.

Leandro Trossard was dismissed at the end of the first half, receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, and Arsenal were accused of using the "dark arts" in their attempts to come away with three points.

The Gunners spent a total of nine minutes and four seconds on their goal-kicks in Sunday's match – the most by any team in a Premier League game this season.

Meanwhile, the average delay at Arsenal restarts (goal-kicks, throw-ins and free-kicks) was 42.7 seconds, with only Aston Villa versus Wolves (47.3) taking longer this term.

Multiple City players have since criticised the tactics, with arguments also taking place on the pitch, but Arteta says his friendship with Guardiola would not suffer because of any on-pitch disagreements.

"I love him [Guardiola]. I respect him and admire him. I admire his team and everything he does," Arteta said.

"This is sport. One thing is our professional, another is my personal relationship. If that has to be damaged because we play against each other, then I wouldn't talk to him anymore!

"That's not the relationship I consider both of us have. Sport will never get in my way for a personal relationship, for sure."

Asked if the accusations aimed at Arsenal could affect it, Arteta added: "It depends. If it's true, but if it's not, and you show your integrity, do what you think is right, it doesn't have to.

"It's opinions. If you don't like them, you shouldn't be sitting where I am.

"It's simple, don't take it personally, make sure you handle the things you care about in the right way, and I really care about that relationship. It's the same as a lot of staff and players I've spent very important years of my life working with."

Arsenal are back in action against Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday. 

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

The Spaniard limped off in the first half of City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal after turning awkwardly in a tussle with Thomas Partey on a corner.

Reports soon claimed Rodri could be out for the rest of the season with the serious-looking injury, and he later visited a specialist in Barcelona.

Guardiola had said on Tuesday that Rodri was facing a long spell on the sidelines, describing him as "irreplaceable", with the club confirming it was a ligament injury the following day.

Now, speaking ahead of their Premier League trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, the manager explained the extent of the midfielder's injury.

"[Rodri had] surgery this morning [on his] ACL and next season he will be here. This season is over," Guardiola told reporters.

"Unfortunately, we got the worst [news] but these things happen. We will be there to support him in his recovery step-by-step.

"What he gives us, we don't have a similar player. But the others can all together replace what Rodri has given since his arrival to us.

"We will have to do it as a team and find a way to play a lot of matches without an important player for us.

"If we don't win, then it is because of Rodri. We are stronger with him and stronger with [Nathan] Ake and [Oscar] Bobb and Kevin [De Bruyne] but that is what it is. We don't want it, but it is football.

"As a club, we have magnificent players, and we will find a solution."

Each of City's last four Premier League defeats have all come when Rodri has not featured in the side. Indeed, the 28-year-old is unbeaten in his last 52 Premier League appearances (W42 D10), a run stretching back to February 2023.

City only lost one of the 50 matches in which Rodri appeared across all competitions last season – the FA Cup final against Manchester United – and their win percentage dropped from 76% to 55.6% in the nine games they played without him.

Asked if City would bring in a replacement for the midfielder in the January transfer window, Guardiola added: "We will talk, we will see what is going on. We have time to see."

Pep Guardiola insisted Rodri’s injury will not stop Manchester City in their quest for a record fourth consecutive Premier League title, having overcome similar situations in recent years.

Rodri, who played 50 times for City last season, was forced off injured in their enthralling 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend, with the club confirming the Spaniard had suffered serious knee ligament damage.

It again throws into question the Citizens' ability to operate without their star midfielder, having seen their win percentage drop from 76% to 55.6% across the nine games he missed last year.

Ahead of facing Newcastle at St. James’ Park this weekend, Guardiola likened the situation to the one he experienced with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, explaining his side can still compete without their best players in the team.

“I feel so sorry for Rodri and for Oscar Bobb too, but what are we going to do? Guys, we are with you, and you have the best medical department,” Guardiola said.

“Three months without Erling [Haaland] and five without Kevin [De Bruyne] and we won the Premier League in spite of many things.”

“You have to go for it. This is the challenge. It’s nice. Always happens. What you have to do. I’m sorry it’s a pity. Let’s go.

“Go to Newcastle to try to win the game. It is what it is. Me, as manager, can reflect on what we can do better.”

Newcastle, meanwhile, come into the contest off the back of a first defeat of the 2024-25 campaign, losing 3-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage last Saturday.

Harvey Barnes’ strike within a minute of the restart handed the Magpies a lifeline after Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith-Rowe had put the hosts two in front, only for Reiss Nelson’s first goal for the Cottagers to seal the victory late on.

The Magpies did have the opportunity to salvage a point, but Fabian Schar fluffed his lines, with the head coach acknowledging that the result could have been different had that chance found the back of the net but lamented his side’s first half showing.

"We won the ball back high, Fabian had the chance to score, and unfortunately he didn't take it. Games swing on big moments,” Howe said.

“The character and attitude was better in that second period, but we have to learn our lessons from the first half. We have to start the game better and be more front footed and more dominant in our performance."

“Second half we were much better, we scored a great goal and thought we could turn the game around. We had our chances and ultimately the third goal killed the game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle – Harvey Barnes

Barnes has been involved in a goal in each of his last four Premier League games for Newcastle (three goals and one assist), his joint best ever run in the top-flight.

Overall, he averages a goal or assist every 87 minutes for the Magpies (eight goals and four assists in 1042 minutes), the best rate of any player at the club (min. 1000 mins).

Man City – Erling Haaland

Haaland has scored 10 goals in five Premier League games this season, the earliest a player has ever reached double figures from the start of a campaign in the competition.

The Norwegian could become only the second player ever to score in each of a team’s first six matches of a Premier League season, after Sergio Agüero did so for the Citizens in 2019-20.

MATCH PREDICTION: MAN CITY WIN

In their Premier League history, Man City have won more games (31), more away games (12) and scored more goals (101) against Newcastle than they have against any other opponent.

The Citizens have also scored in each of their last 31 Premier League games against Newcastle, the longest scoring streak one team has against another in the competition’s history.

Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last 28 league games (W23 D5), with Stones’ late intervention against Arsenal keeping that run going. 24 of these games have been in 2024, the longest run without a Premier League defeat from the start of a calendar year since Chelsea in 2008 (26).

But the Magpies have made St. James’ Park a fortress. They are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League home games, winning six and drawing four. However, City were the last side to beat them on home soil.

Newcastle have scored in each of their last 21 Premier League home games, since a 0-0 draw with Leicester in May 2023. It’s the longest ongoing home scoring streak of any side in the competition.

But not since a 2-1 home win in January 2019 under Rafael Benitez have Newcastle beaten City, with that triumph five years ago their only victory in their last 33 Premier League games against them (D5 L27).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Newcastle – 21.6%

Draw – 22.4%

Man City – 56%

Pep Guardiola expects Rodri to be "out for a long time", though Manchester City are still waiting for official confirmation on the extent of the midfielder's injury.

Rodri sustained a serious-looking knee injury during a corner in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, having turned awkwardly while tiusslinThomas Partey.

The former Atletico Madrid man has since been seen in Barcelona, with reports suggesting that he has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

That would possibly keep him out for the season and would be a huge blow to City, for whom he has proven to be a key man since joining in 2019.

Before City's EFL Cup third-round tie with Watford, which they won 2-1 to progress to the next round, Guardiola was unable to offer any updates on his condition.

However, in his post-match interview, Guardiola conceded that he would be without the Spain international for a prolonged period.

"Rodri will be out for a long time, a while," Guardiola said.

"There are some opinions that it will be less than we thought, but we are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. We should know tomorrow."

Rodri played 50 times for City in all competitions last season, losing just one of those matches.

However, in the nine they played without him, their win percentage dropped from 76% to 55.6%, with their points-per-game dropping from 2.5 to 1.7.

And Guardiola knows the onus will be on him to find a solution.

"When a team doesn't play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time, it is a big blow," Guardiola told reporters.

"Yes, he's irreplaceable. But my duty is to find a solution.

"There is an alternative, we will do it. When you have one player who is irreplaceable, as a team we have to find a solution."

Manchester City are still waiting on news regarding Rodri's injury, so said Pep Guardiola.

Rodri has been in Barcelona over recent days after he sustained a serious-looking knee injury in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

Reports have suggested the Spain midfielder, who has been crucial to City's success over the past few seasons, has suffered an anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury.

There is speculation Rodri could miss the remainder of the season, but Guardiola was unable to offer any confirmation of those reports.

"We are still waiting for the decision of the doctors, exactly what he has," Guardiola said ahead of City's EFL Cup game against Watford on Tuesday.

"When we know it, the club or myself, the spokesman of the club will announce it."

Rodri played 50 times for City last season, with the Premier League champions losing only one of those matches.

However, they lost four of the nine games the former Atletico Madrid man missed in 2023-24.

Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t expect to be without Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for too long following his injury against Inter last week. 

De Bruyne was forced to withdraw from City's Champions League opener against the Serie A champions at half-time after picking up a thigh problem.

As a result, the Belgian missed the Citizens' enthralling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad, and he is also expected to miss their EFL Cup tie against Watford on Tuesday.

De Bruyne has started the season in sensational form, creating more chances (16) than anyone in the City ranks after the first five league games. 

However, Guardiola does not think De Bruyne's injury is a serious one like the setbacks that saw him miss 28 games in all competitions last term. 

“I don’t think it will be long,” Guardiola said in the aftermath of their thrilling encounter with Arsenal.

“I cannot say how long for, I don’t know for Newcastle, but it won’t be long. [He has] discomfort in his legs.”

Following City's cup fixture with Watford in midweek, they travel to St. James' Park to face Newcastle to kickstart the latest round of Premier League action on Saturday.

The Magpies' home turf was the venue for De Bruyne's memorable return last season after spending a five-month period on the sidelines. 

De Bruyne scored the equaliser before setting up Oscar Bobb for an injury-time winner that proved crucial in their record fourth-straight title success.

The Belgian would go on to finish the campaign with 24 goal contributions (six goals and 18 assists) in all competitions. 

City could, however, be without another talisman in the form of Rodri, who went off with a serious-looking knee injury in the draw with Arsenal. 

Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t expect to be without Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for too long following his injury against Inter last week. 

De Bruyne was forced to withdraw from City's Champions League opener against the Serie A champions at half-time after picking up a thigh problem.

As a result, the Belgian missed the Citizens' enthralling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad, and he is also expected to miss their EFL Cup tie against Watford on Tuesday.

De Bruyne has started the season in sensational form, creating more chances (16) than anyone in the City ranks after the first five league games. 

However, Guardiola does not think De Bruyne's injury is a serious one like the setbacks that saw him miss 28 games in all competitions last term. 

“I don’t think it will be long,” Guardiola said in the aftermath of their thrilling encounter with Arsenal.

“I cannot say how long for, I don’t know for Newcastle, but it won’t be long. [He has] discomfort in his legs.”

Following City's cup fixture with Watford in midweek, they travel to St. James' Park to face Newcastle to kickstart the latest round of Premier League action on Saturday.

The Magpies' home turf was the venue for De Bruyne's memorable return last season after spending a five-month period on the sidelines. 

De Bruyne scored the equaliser before setting up Oscar Bobb for an injury-time winner that proved crucial in their record fourth-straight title success.

The Belgian would go on to finish the campaign with 24 goal contributions (six goals and 18 assists) in all competitions. 

Mikel Arteta labelled Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Manchester City as a "miracle" after spending 56 minutes down to 10 men following Leandro Trossard's dismissal.

Erling Haaland's 100th Manchester City goal had put the hosts in front in the ninth minute, only for Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes to turn the game on its head.

Despite their goal advantage at the break, the Gunners also entered the interval with a man less after Trossard was given his marching orders for a second yellow card. 

The visitors withstood an endless wave of City pressure, facing 28 shots in the second half before John Stones netted in the eighth minute of injury time. 

While Arsenal will leave the Etihad disappointed with not taking all three points, Arteta lauded his players for their efforts against "the best team in the world".

"I am so proud of the team. We played the game in a difficult context. Playing against the best team in the world," Arteta said. 

"After what happened, we went 2-1 up - it was a different story and I prefer not to make any comment about that [Leandro Trossard's red card].

"Obviously, it is already a miracle we played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men. It is unbelievable what we have done."

However, Arteta was far less effusive about Michael Oliver's decision to show Trossard a second yellow card for delaying the restart after fouling Bernardo Silva.

Since the Spaniard's first game in charge of the Gunners, he has seen 17 players red carded in the Premier League - at least four more than any other club.

"It is very obvious, I don't need to talk about it. I think the red card is very clear, very obvious what people think," Arteta continued. 

"It is not my job to come here and judge what happened.

"My job is to survive in one of the most difficult environments there is in football for 55 minutes and try to get things done to survive.

"The rest is not my job, but it has already happened twice in five games, which is very worrying to see in the best league, the Premier League.

"[The red card] makes the situation impossible. It is very, very hard to play with 11 players, with ten it is impossible.

"With ten you have to defend your six-yard box time and time again."

It was a frustrating afternoon for the reigning champions, with Pep Guardiola's side restricted to very little by Arsenal's stern defensive resolve. 

The Gunners averaged just 12.5% possession after the break, with City failing to make their advantage count until the last kick of an enthralling encounter. 

In Arsenal's attempts to halt the City onslaught, a number of players went down with cramp, much to the frustration of the home faithful packed inside the Etihad. 

"I don't know how many [Arsenal] players went down with cramp, but that can of course happen in a demanding game," Guardiola added. 

"We crossed and crossed and had Ruben [Dias], Manuel [Akanji], Erling [Haaland] but when you cross they have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, so it is so difficult.

"There were ten players there. In the end, we got what we deserved.

"Maybe I would have done the same because it is with ten men. You have to ask Mikel [Arteta] what the tactic was.

"They were good with the long balls into Kai Havertz who is so strong and they go for the second balls.

"In the end we were patient, had the chances and got the goal. That's all."