Tony Pulis column: Why Man City’s ‘leg-beaters’ can make the difference against Arsenal

If both teams decide the best way of winning the game is to build up from their goalkeepers, I would personally go after them high up the pitch and do my best to break their rhythm and passing patterns.

It’s a risk, because both teams have defenders who play comfortably under pressure and will, on occasions, break through even the best press.

But, while it’s high risk, it’s also high reward. Over the past five seasons, more goals have been conceded by turnovers in possession in a team’s own half than ever before.

City will dominate possession despite that high press and will spend a lot of time in Arsenal‘s final third. So, with the Gunners pressed back, how do they then counter-attack with sufficient quality to hurt City?

When City are in possession, they push everyone forward but leave only two centre-backs covering their whole back line of defence.

Rodri will sweep in front of Abdukodir Khusanov and Guehi, but there are spaces to be found either out wide or behind the two centre-backs – and those are the areas in open play that Arsenal have to exploit.

To achieve that in an effective way, when Arsenal regain possession in deep areas, they must get passes and runners past the City back-line, by playing up, back and through.

It sounds easy, but City will try to regain the turnover quickly and both of their centre-halves are quick even if Arsenal can manufacture a foot race.

Mikel’s side are capable of doing this effectively, though. We know they have the quality to play under pressure and they will need it on Sunday if they are to be successful.

On top of all this, set-plays will again be vital for them, but also for City. As ever, the quality of the corners, free-kicks and throw-ins must be matched by the desire to win that first and second ball – and that applies to whoever is attacking and defending.