Manchester City had 32.8% possession today against Arsenal at the Emirates. That was the lowest figure any Pep Guardiola team have ever recorded in a top-flight match.
City often found themselves defending for large periods at the Emirates, something that fans have not become accustomed to given boss Guardiola has implemented a possession-dominant playstyle since his arrival in England in 2016.
Manchester City’s 32.8% possession figure in today’s game against Arsenal was the lowest that a team managed by Pep Guardiola has had in a top-flight league game. pic.twitter.com/Z654LszLjj
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 21, 2025
32.8% possession is the lowest figure any Pep Guardiola team has ever recorded in a top-flight match 📊 pic.twitter.com/7q4JZBD9ag
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 21, 2025
His team’s match against Arsenal was his 601st league game in charge of a club, with his side mustering just 32.8% possession, the lowest figure a team he has coached has averaged.
Never before in 600 top-flight matches had a Guardiola side seen so little of the ball. The previous unwanted record also belonged to Manchester City in a clash with Arsenal back in March 2023, when possession was at 36.5%.
On top of that, Mikel Arteta has become the only manager not to lose a league match against a Guardiola team (2 wins and 3 draws).
5 – Following Arsenal’s late equaliser today, Mikel Arteta is now the only manager to go five games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola in league competition (W2 D3). Battle. pic.twitter.com/OdorEQv3Z6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2025
🚨 Mikel Arteta becomes the first manager ever to go five league games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola!!! 💪 pic.twitter.com/0rfaEHYBmn
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) September 21, 2025