Arsenal struggle against simple Man City tactic in FA Cup clash as Erling Haaland exploits Rob Holding
MANCHESTER CITY are making use of route-one football against Arsenal with Erling Haaland hoping to exploit the defensive fragility of Rob Holding.
The two Premier League title contenders are colliding in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
And Pep Guardiola will be hoping he can unsettle his former prodigy by condemning the Gunners to an early cup exit.
And City‘s intentions were clear from the get-go.
The first long-ball from Sky Blues keeper Stefan Ortega was directed towards Haaland, who was being marked by Holding.
Holding has played just 707 minutes of football this term with 13 of those coming in the Prem.
City’s players are also moving centrally from goal-kicks to attract pressure so Ortega can hit a free player.
This could be seen in the 8th minute when full-back Rico Lewis tucked in.
Just moments later, Haaland got the better of Holding, dispossessing the Arsenal defender in a dangerous area inside his half.
Luckily for Holding, keeper Matt Turner was on his toes and got out quickly to close Haaland down.
The ball flicked up into the air and the 22-year-old tried a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-like Sweden vs England overhead kick, but Takehiro Tomiyasu covered the goal well.
Lewis and Rodri’s positioning is also helping isolate Gunners holding midfielder Thomas Partey.
The City pair are attracting Granit Xhaka and Fabio Vieira, creating a 2 vs 1 between Ilkay Gundogan-Kevin de Bruyne and Partey.
Haaland very nearly found himself in on goal against towards the end of the first half, but Gabriel managed to clear his lines before the striker to dispossess him.
Arsenal appear to be set on continuing their high-pressing style of play.
It is, however, leading to Mikel Arteta’s men being lured into City’s build-up phase, which allows Haaland to isolate his marker.
He did so in the 41st minute with Holding ending up in the book.
Holding also only manged to win one of six aerial duels in the opening 45.
The introduction of Julian Alvarez could give Haaland the player he needs to attack the space in behind his duels.
Holding was subbed at half-time.