Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has raised an opposing voice against those of critics bashing Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola after his side’s disgraceful performance at the King Power Stadium against defending champions Leicester City.
The Blue Mancunians conceded 3 goals in the opening 20 minutes and would go on to finish the game at a 4-2 deficit with Aleksandar Kolarov’s and Nolito’s late consolation goals serving as nothing more than papering over a shameful night.
The Spaniard, aside being mocked as majority of EPL fans quietly lurk behind his shadows waiting for him to fail his Abu-Dhabi masters so the drums of the English league’s superiority to others could be rolled out, was specifically singled out for saying that he was not “a coach for the tackles.”
For Wenger though the criticisms shelled out on top the former Bayern Munich coach’s head is “unfair.”
“Pep Guardiola, like myself, we are for offensive football. And when you don’t win, people question that. And that’s as simple as that. I believe that he doesn’t forbid his players to tackle,” said the 67-year-old.
Claudio Ranieri’s men increased doubts surrounding the likelihood of Pep Guardiola delivering to the Etihad faithful what both Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini failed to during their reign and most especially the trophy that’s time and again proved to be out of their reach –the UEFA Champion League title.
The Foxes helped further the open secret trailing Guardiola’s side especially after league leaders Chelsea outran them last week at the Etihad – they fall apart easily when faced with teams that employ pace and physical power.
Arsene Wenger also pointed out that early goals contributed to City’s malaise because they were left with no choice than to attack after being down by 2-nil within 5 minutes, leaving holes in the defence line, that could be punished by any efficient counterattacking outfit – something Leicester takes great joy in doing.
“I come back to one simple fact in the game. When you’re 2-0 down away from home, against a team that is good on the counter attack you know you have to come out like mad to come back.”