Arteta has only one style — Manchester United legend blames Arsenal boss for Guardiola's defensive tactics

Legendary Premier League defender Gary Neville believes that Pep Guardiola deployed an ultra-defensive tactic against Arsenal because Mikel Arteta was a one-trick pony.

The former Manchester United defender argued that the Arsenal boss favoured exploiting his team's superior physical profile and mostly creating chances through set-piece situations; hence, Guardiola’s attempt to counter.

Pep is defined by his possession style; however, against Arsenal, he had his team cede the ball after Erling Haaland gave them an early lead, prioritising security. 

Guardiola deploying a tactic which is the stark opposite of what he is famed for had sparked conversations. Neville, formerly Valencia's coach, in attempting to analyse Guardiola's reasoning, had the following to say. 

"I think the reason he [Guardiola] has done that is because he is recognising that Arsenal are a bit, you know, they're a one-trick pony,” he said, per Goal. 

“Set pieces are such a large percentage of their chances and goals that you end up in a situation where you just got to have big players in the box and a goalkeeper that punches.”

He went on criticising Arteta's disposition, decrying the Spaniard's conservatism in big matches such as the one against Manchester City. 

"My narrative with Arsenal was thinking, is he going to take the risk? And the team sheet comes through and I see that Trossard and Merino are on it.”

“If you're making two substitutions at half time, it's not gone to plan, and you know that the players you started with are not going to be able to win you the game in all circumstances, which is when they go a goal down.

"You can't wait to win a league. Arsenal are not creating enough chances in these types of games. I've predicted Arsenal will win the league... but does the manager and the players really believe, number one, that they can win the league? Do they know how to win a league?"