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Jose Mourinho has pinpointed how his success against Manchester City is different when compared to Arsenal's.
The Portuguese dissected the Gunners' goalless draw against City at the Etihad Stadium in March. Mikel Arteta set his team up in a way that City failed to find any proper openings.
During his time as the Manchester United boss, Mourinho often faced Pep Guardiola's City team. Addressing the difference between how he tacked City and how Arteta is doing the same, Mourinho said (via The Telegraph):
"In my time, it was not a magic strategy. And I won at Manchester City a few times. But it was not an amazing strategy. It was a defensive game. Park the bus, park the double bus. It was a different perspective."
Mourinho and Guardiola were considered the two most shrewd tacticians in English football during the former's time at Manchester United. Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are considered City's closest opponents after challenging for the title in recent years.
Jose Mourinho claims Arsenal and Manchester City focus on defensive stability
Both Arsenal and Manchester City have world-class midfielders in their ranks. However, Mourinho pointed out that both clubs often use those players out of position and deploy them as defenders.
Mourinho highlighted that both Arteta and Guardiola feel the need for their teams to have defensive compactness. He said (via The Telegraph):
"Look to Manchester City, look to Arsenal - just to give two examples. How many central defenders do they have in the team? Sometimes, they have six. As a matter of principle. Then they play in other positions. They play right-back, left-back, they play midfield. But they play with five or six central defenders on the pitch. Why? If I am a journalist, I'd ask the manager."
Mourinho added:
"They feel the need for defensive stability and a defensive compactness."
Jose Mourinho, throughout his managerial career, has often emphasized his teams' defensive structure. His recent analysis highlights that the basics of success in football remain the same despite the game's ever-evolving formations.
