Manchester City, the reigning treble winners, are encountering a turbulent phase in their Premier League journey, having failed to secure a win in their last four league matches. Their recent 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Wednesday night plunged them further behind league leaders Arsenal by six points. Manager Pep Guardiola didn’t shy away from acknowledging their struggle, admitting, “We are struggling.”
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown weighed in on City’s predicament, describing them as “in a mini crisis,” emphasizing that they “look vulnerable,” as reported on BBC Match of the Day. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
The pivotal moment in their recent stumble came in the 74th minute when Leon Bailey’s deflected shot secured a deserved victory for Villa, relegating City to fourth place in the table, trailing behind Villa, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Analysts have pointed out alarming statistics for Manchester City, highlighting their defensive frailty. The team’s recent record shows a concerning trend – four Premier League games without a win for the first time since April 2017, conceding 17 goals in their initial 15 matches – a defensive vulnerability reminiscent of their 2009-10 season when they finished fifth.
Moreover, City’s offensive prowess seemed to falter against Aston Villa, registering just two shots, marking an unprecedented low for a Guardiola-led team in over 535 games across Europe’s top leagues. Conversely, they faced a barrage of 22 shots from Villa – the most ever against a Guardiola side in a similar timeframe.
Notably, City’s setbacks this season have often coincided with the absence of influential midfielder Rodri. Guardiola, acknowledging this pattern, expressed the need to find ways to secure victories even in Rodri’s absence, emphasizing the necessity to “find a way to win without him.”
Despite their current challenges, it’s essential to recall City’s historical resilience. In the 2018-19 title-winning season under Guardiola, they were 10 points behind the league leaders after 19 games yet clinched the title with a remarkable 98 points.
Guardiola remains resolute in seeking solutions to City’s predicament, stating, “I’m here to help them,” underscoring his commitment to steer the team through this challenging phase. With Guardiola’s determination and City’s proven capacity to bounce back, counting them out prematurely might be premature.
The quest for a fourth consecutive Premier League title continues for Manchester City, as Guardiola seeks to address their current struggles and propel the team back to winning ways. Get the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.
