City Watch: Points shared in North London

Following the incredible result against Manchester United in the derby last week, Manchester City were faced with two tough challenges against Napoli and Arsenal. 

City’s first Champions League game of the campaign was similar to last season’s, against an Italian team at home.

We faced Inter Milan last year, and they did a great job of holding us to a 0-0 draw with an effective low block. 

Napoli tried exactly the same thing, and when they went down to 10 men early on in the first half, it was clear that City were going to have to break down a tough defence.

I was slightly nervous watched the players going in at 0-0 at half time, after all, although Antonio Conte had taken off ex-Blue Kevin De Bruyne on his emotional return to the Etihad since joining the Italian side, there was always the threat they could catch us on the counter attack.

The second half proved something very different, though, with excellent goals from both Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, the Blues survived a tough test in their opening game to come away with all three points and a positive start to their Champions League campaign.

Perhaps an even tougher test than Napoli, though, was Arsenal on Sunday. 

I will admit, before heading to the Emirates on Sunday, I was having flashbacks to last season where City were truly humbled in North London, losing the game 5-1.

However, this is a stronger side with more confidence, and after breaking down a rigid defence on Thursday, I was hopeful heading into the game. 

Just nine minutes in, Erling Haaland put the Blues 1-0 up from a devastating counter attack and a fantastic Tijjani Reijnders run.

After the 1-0 lead, there’s really not much more to say about City’s attack, because Pep did something that in nine years of managing us, I’ve never seen him do, which is sit back, something Arsenal have taken a lot of criticism for when playing us in the last few seasons.

He took in Haaland for Nico Gonzalez, a defensive midfielder, and Phil Foden for Nathan Ake. 

His masterplan almost worked, we held the Gunners until the 93rd minute, when City tried to counter attack and seal the victory, before getting caught at the back, and a fantastic finish from Gabriel Martinelli meant the game ended 1-1.

Even though conceding in the last few moments isn’t ideal, the game has given me some confidence about the season ahead. 

It’s clear that Pep is evolving and trying new ways to get through games, something we know he is capable of.

By the time this column is released, City will have played Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup and will be heading into their next Premier League game against Burnley.