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Pep Guardiola’s record-low possession against Arsenal highlights a Premier League style shift- Between the Lines | Football News
Pep Guardiola faced accusations of parking the bus in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
City’s 33.2 per cent share of possession was the lowest from a Guardiola team in his entire top-flight career in management. There was even the uncharacteristic sight of him switching to a back five in the second half as City tried to grind out the win.
Guardiola put it down to the quality of their opponent, saying Arsenal forced them to go on the defensive. But did it also say something about how their style is changing?
Between the Lines, a new Sky Sports strand breaking down the data behind football’s biggest stories, returns with a look at City’s tactical evolution and the Premier League’s shift towards directness.
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Highlights from Arsenal’s match against Man City in the Premier League.
How Pep is adapting his principles
Sunday’s game was an extreme example but it was not the first this season in which City have had a lower share of possession than their opponent. In fact, following last weekend’s win over Manchester United, in which City had 45.3 per cent of the ball, it has happened as many times in five games as in the whole of last term.
City’s possession leapt over the 70 per cent-mark following Guardiola’s appointment in 2016 but this season’s average of 52 per cent represents a significant drop from previous levels as he puts more emphasis on direct play and counters, typified by Erling Haaland’s blistering opener at the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City currently have a lower average possession than in any other season since our records began
Haaland is thriving with more counter-attacking opportunities. He has scored a goal from a fast break in each of City’s last three Premier League games, against Wolves and Manchester United as well as Arsenal. He is already up to seven goals in all competitions.
In addition to recording more than twice as many fast breaks per game as last season, City are making more long passes and winning more aerial duels. It is still a relatively small sample size, five games in, but there has been a notable dip in their numbers for build-up attacks and passing sequences at the same time.
Their numbers for high turnovers have also dropped dramatically, suggesting they are less committed to pressing high up the pitch as well as building up from the back with short passes.
The graphic suggests Manchester City could be moving to a more direct style
“For the last six, seven, eight years, we’ve just seen them dominate possession,” said Sky Sports‘ Gary Neville. “When they were at their absolute best, you knew they’d be 1-0 up but they’d have 70, 80 per cent of the ball and the other team would be chasing shadows.
“This is a completely different Manchester City; it’s a complete turnaround. It’s a 180 to see him do that in the final parts of the game. There are a lot of questions asked of managers. Do they adapt? Are they agile enough to change things in games?
“Guardiola never really changed his way of playing before. It was almost as if to say everyone has to adapt to what I’m doing, and everybody copied him for years and years, playing out from the back, but he’s moved on beyond that now. They are certainly a lot more physical, a lot more direct, and less football than they used to be.”
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Erling Haaland bags a brace in the Manchester derby!
The adjustments are linked to the rising physical intensity of the Premier League and its players, something Guardiola said contributed to his decision to start using centre-backs at full-back during City’s treble-winning campaign. But they are also tied to personnel, with City having undergone a rebuild over the last year.
Guardiola is trying to play to the strengths of new signings such as Tijjani Reijnders. Like Haaland, whose goal he set up on Sunday, the Dutch international carries a huge threat in transition.
There has been an even more significant change in goal, where Ederson has made way for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s passes in Man City’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal
Ederson’s outstanding long passing ability became a dangerous weapon for City but he mostly played the ball short. Donnarumma is different. Against Arsenal on Sunday, he sent 21 of his 27 passes long having sent 19 out of 30 long in City’s previous Premier League game against Manchester United.
City’s display on Sunday showed a greater willingness to defend but, from back to front, the way they attack is changing too.
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Tijjani Reijnders opens his Premier League account for Manchester City at Wolves!
Is Pep inspiring change… again?
Recent history tells us that when Guardiola adapts his style, other managers usually follow. Sure enough, the changes to City’s approach are being mirrored up and down the Premier League.
Or, at least, most of them are. Interestingly, fast breaks are actually down from last season according to Opta’s advanced metrics. But the data mostly corresponds with City’s otherwise, depicting an overall shift towards a more direct style of play.
Build-up attacks, passing sequences, and high turnovers are all down from last season as a growing number of sides embrace more direct passing, mostly aimed towards out-and-out No 9s, who have come roaring back into fashion, as a route to goal.
The graphic suggests Premier League clubs could be moving to a more direct style
City have Haaland but other clubs sought to bring in their own versions at considerable expense this summer, among them Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade, Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko.
Expect Guardiola to continue leading the evolution.
He transformed English football with the introduction of his possession-based playing style following his appointment at City as playing out from the back became ubiquitous. Nine years on, it seems he is changing the game again.
Which club’s styles have changed most?
Nottingham Forest have undergone a stylistic transformation comparable to Manchester City’s evolution under new head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Last season, Forest ranked at or near the bottom across a range of pressing and possession-based metrics. However, they have surged into the top half for those same stats under the Australian.
West Ham’s waning press could be contributing to the pressure ramping up on Graham Potter, while Brentford’s style appears to be akin to Forest’s approach under Nuno Espirito Santo. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s style is almost identical to last season.
Manchester United are among numerous teams that appear to be pressing less high up the pitch but switching to a more direct style, attempting more long balls and winning more headers instead.
You can use the interactive radar below to select a team and see how their playing style this season compares with last campaign…
Read last week’s Between the Lines
Is Ruben Amorim’s system doomed to fail at Manchester United? We looked at why his 3-4-2-1 set-up is not working and revealed data showing how formations have evolved in the Premier League.
Over the course of the 2026 World Cup, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a fair few headlines with his punditry. His comments after the final between Spain and Argentina are perhaps the most explosive yet.
While the game was somewhat short of quality, it wasn’t lacking for drama. First, Enzo Fernandez got himself a red card just before the game went to extra time; Lionel Messi then tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off; before Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game to win the tournament.
In defeat, Argentina were less than gracious losers, with Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala among the angriest. Their poor behaviour has sparked a firm response from Ibrahimovic, who slammed one man in particular.
Ibrahimovic Tears Into Argentina Midfielder
TV broadcasters showed replays of Paredes targeting Eric Garcia, grabbing the former Manchester City man by the throat, before clashing with Gavi. The Argentine appeared to throw a punch at the Barcelona midfielder and toss him to the floor before Lionel Scaloni and others rushed over to break up the fight.
Ibrahimovic, however, was actually critical of the rest of the Spain squad who didn’t rush in to respond more violently to Paredes’ actions. He claimed he would have ‘headbutted’ the 32-year-old if he was on the pitch, explaining:
“Paredes can be happy there was no player like me on the pitch. If I had been there, I would have headbutted him and been sent off. It is unprofessional behaviour from him.
“I don’t know what the Spanish players are doing? They are just watching another player hit their team-mate.”
It’s trademark fiery analysis from Ibrahimovic, but fans shouldn’t get used to it as the Swede announced his retirement from punditry duties soon after. Having worked for Fox Sports across the World Cup, he explained:
“I have talked a lot during the past month and a half, but these will be my last words. Alexi [Lalas], Thierry [Henry], Rebecca [Lowe], thank you. It has been my pleasure to share this studio with you. I also thank Fox, the United States and everyone who watched. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. This is my last visit to the studio. For me, this was the first and last time.”
Paredes Faces FIFA Punishment Despite Avoiding Red Card
The incredible thing is that although Paredes appeared to rightfully be sent off for his behaviour, FIFA have since claimed that no red card was actually given. Reports claim that, contrary to reports, no disciplinary action was taken against the player at the time.
As such, despite his obvious head loss, the Argentine did not become the seventh player to be shown a red card in a World Cup final. That does not mean he will avoid retrospective disciplinary action, though, as FIFA have now begun their investigation.
Speaking for the first time on social media after the event, Paredes avoided talking about the scrap and instead thanked Argentina fans for their support. He added: “Today, I write with a heavy heart, having been unable to bring our country the joy it so richly deserves – but with a chest full of pride for having given everything we had and for flying our flag at the very top once again!
“Thank you to everyone who was part of this national team—to this group of players who gave their all to represent this jersey, fighting for it until the very last second of every match! It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history.”
Celtic have agreed a £10m deal with Ipswich Town to sell forward Daizen Maeda, according to the Daily Record.
The Glasgow giants secured a fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title last season, beating Hearts 1-0 on the final day of the season to overtake them in the table, and are now planning a major squad rebuild to be able to go again.
That means a number of first-team stars are expected to leave despite being key to their recent success, and the first exit has now been agreed to kickstart that chain of events.
Celtic Agree £10m Maeda Deal
Maeda, who has been described as ‘sensational’ by Martin O’Neill, enjoyed a fine campaign in 2025/26 with 17 goals in all competitions, but he has been keen to make a move away from Celtic Park this summer for a new challenge, having spent four-and-a-half years with the club.
Now it has emerged that Premier League new boys Ipswich Town have agreed a deal worth £10m to sign the Japan international and take him to England.
The deal is worth an initial £8m plus a further £2m in add-ons for the 28-year-old, with the player now not expected to return to Celtic for pre-season after being given extra time off following his World Cup exploits.
Ipswich are currently in Spain on a warm-weather training camp for pre-season, and any deal is not expected to be completed until they return. However, Maeda is now scheduled to undergo a medical later this week.
The Japanese forward was close to a move away to the Bundesliga last summer before a deal collapsed, and he has made it clear that he wishes to play in England’s top-flight, describing it as ‘the best league in the world’.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Celtic Starting a New Era
O’Neill has been given a one-year contract in order to oversee the rebuild in Glasgow this summer, and he will take the team into a new era following his league title win.
Without Maeda, and strong interest in players like Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels, the club will need to be busy in the transfer market to see off a resurgent Rangers side and a hungry Hearts team, to ensure the squad isn’t weakened, and that any exits are of an adequate level.
After 79 goals in 212 games, plus five Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups, Maeda’s time at the club is now over, and Celtic must use those funds to bring in some top talent.
Leandro Paredes has broken his silence after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat against Spain. The midfielder was involved in several heated altercations following the full-time whistle.
Ferran Torres netted a 106th-minute winner as La Roja added a second star to their badge, as 10-man Argentina struggled to ever threaten the opposition.
Enzo Fernandez’s red card in the 93rd minute appeared to be the spark that led to tensions boiling over. Immediately after the full-time whistle, Dani Olmo was punched by an Argentine member of staff, Nicolas Otamendi confronted Rodri and Paredes grabbed and threw Gavi to the ground.
The Boca Juniors midfielder appeared to be at the centre of the post-match meltdown. He’s now posted his first words after the defeat.
Leandro Paredes Breaks Silence After World Cup Final
It was initially believed and reported that Paredes had been shown a red card among the chaotic scenes after the game had ended. However, FIFA has since confirmed to BBC Sport that the 32-year-old was never actually sent off.
The governing body has since ‘deleted’ the red card from his record, after it was incorrectly noted. While he hasn’t received any punishment at the time of writing, Paredes could still be in hot water as FIFA have opened an investigation into Argentina’s behaviour after the final.
Paredes has since taken to social media to post a lengthy statement, although he opted not to address the controversy. He stated: “THANK YOU, ARGENTINA!!! I LOVE YOU, TODAY AND ALWAYS.
“Today, I write with a heavy heart, having been unable to bring our country the joy it so richly deserves – but with a chest full of pride for having given everything we had and for flying our flag at the very top once again!
“Thank you to everyone who was part of this national team—to this group of players who gave their all to represent this jersey, fighting for it until the very last second of every match!
“It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history.”
FIFA Told to Ban Paredes From the Next World Cup
Paredes will be 36 years old when the 2030 World Cup rolls around. Therefore, his chances of being selected are quite slim. Nonetheless, former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has called on FIFA to take drastic action and ban him from the event anyway.
Labelling the ex-PSG midfielder ‘a coward’, Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT: “No matter what happens in football, you can be angry you lost, but be classy in defeat. If you want to fight Paredes, there are places to fight – not on the pitch against Garcia.
“And the way he was manhandling Gavi, a 21-year-old kid, and you were throwing him around on the pitch, that’s someone’s son, brother.
“Disgraceful. I would ban him from the whole next tournament if I had my way. Coward.”
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