‘So strong’: Pep Guardiola praises two Arsenal players after chaotic 2-2 draw at the Etihad

Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players will no doubt be absolutely shattered after an evening of extraordinary events against Manchester City at the Etihad.

Arsenal were minutes away from a famous win at Man City, one almost made possible because of their defensive robustness and clever grasp of the dark arts.

That’s a sentence you could never say about a Arsene Wenger team in his last five or so years, a feat Unai Emery never managed either.

But Mikel Arteta has crafted a backline of warriors, one currently led by Gabriel Magalhaes, who deserved to wear the captain’s armband in the second half.

Gabriel’s headed-goal felt inevitable after Arsenal’s first corner, a crazy thing to say against such esteemed competition.

Pep Guardiola singles out Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes

Speaking at his press conference after the game via football.london, Guardiola praised both Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel, Arsenal’s two goal-scorers from the back.

The Man City manager said that Arsenal deserved credit for how they defended with 10-men, a team who want to ‘steal’ his Premier League crown.

READ MORE: Premier League expert baffled by what he saw from two Arsenal players vs Man City

Guardiola said: “Many things happened in the second three or four. We had the passion to fight like in the last two years against the team who want to steal our Premier League. 

“Calafiori made an exceptional goal. We have to defend the second goal but give credit to them. Gabriel is so strong.

“They block players in the first post so because it happens every game you have to give credit to them.

“After the red give credit to Arsenal because they were really, really good.

“We were smart to make the game slow and not concede fouls. That was good because the game continued and continued.”

Jurrien Timber also defended like a warrior for Arsenal

Arteta has been trying to craft a group of defenders like he has right now for some time.

The Arsenal manager has the adequate mix of height, power, defensive nouse and ability on the ball.

And although Jurrien Timber isn’t quite as tall as his teammates at the back, he certainly embodies the other qualities mentioned.

It was cruel that the Dutchman was denied his debut season at the Emirates owing to injury, but he’s certainly now making up for lost time.

That being said, one Arsenal player has decided he wants to leave the club in January, not content with his prospective playing time.