Manchester City’s lack of creativity has been criticized.

City lost 0-1 to Arsenal in the eighth round of the 2023-24 Premier League (PL) at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, at 0:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 9. Without a point, City dropped to third in the league.

There was one big change to City’s starting lineup that day. The absence of Rodri. Rodriguez missed the Arsenal game due to suspension, and instead, City went with Mateo Kovacic and Rico Ruiz in the back three. Bernardo Silva took over Rodriguez’s role of dropping between the center backs and getting involved in the buildup at the back.

Rodri’s absence was a big one. The team as a whole didn’t work as well without the center of gravity. In particular, it was difficult to get the ball through the third and second lines to the front line, which naturally isolated Elling Holland. City tried to create chances with long passes into the back of Arsenal’s defense, which was high up the pitch, but even that proved difficult. In the end, City were unlucky to lose the game 0-1 in stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was deflected in by Nathan Ake.

The Telegraph reports that City had four shots on goal against Arsenal, the lowest total in Pep Guardiola’s 274 PL games in charge of City. Only one of City’s shots on the day was on target, and their main man, Holland, was silent without even attempting a shot.

Furthermore, Holland did not escape criticism as he was completely wiped out by Arsenal’s center back duo, especially William Saliba. On the day, Holland had 23 touches, the fewest of any player on the field. This could be interpreted as fewer opportunities to get on the ball. The soccer statistics outlet Pompom gave Holland a rating of 6.3.

They also criticized his lack of creativity. The Telegraph says: 레모나토토 “City have never had a player like Riyad Mahrez. Guardiola has tried Mateusz Nunes, John Stones and Jeremy Dockoo but has failed to find any additional creativity.”

Currently, City are without Kevin De Bruyne, who is out with an injury. Guardiola has tried to fill the void with other players, but the absence of De Bruyne is still being felt, regardless of performance.