Arteta comparisons to Mourinho are ludicrous as Arsenal spark ...

Despite the fact that Arsenal have managed to come away from two games with Manchester City and Liverpool, beating both and avoiding defeat away from home in both, it seems it is Mikel Arteta's side on the end of the majority of scrutiny. Whether it was the tactical style of game on display Sunday afternoon or the fact the Gunners simply didn't bend to the will of their opponents that drew so much ire remains to be seen.

Accusations comparing Arteta's plan against City to the style of Jose Mourinho are quite laughable when looking at the facts of the game. Arsenal did not go to the Etihad Stadium with the aim of sitting back, defending in a low block and trying to exploit gaps on the counter.

Whilst certainly, the game played out with this theme for the majority, it was more so an adaption of what Arsenal wanted to do. It seems City's presence in the equation and their ability to put an opponent on the back foot has been forgotten.

Yes, they were missing Ederson, John Stones and Kyle Walker with Nathan Ake coming off in the first half too. However, none of their attacking quality that has seen them score in 57 consecutive home matches was unavailable with Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish returning from injury.

It was evident from Arteta's line-up that the aim was not to 'park the bus'; a player like Jorginho is not designed for a low block in any case. He also opted for Gabriel Jesus on the left instead of the more natural Leandro Trossard, who had just come back off scoring a massive goal against FC Porto in the Champions League.

Jorginho in particular - who won Player of the Match in the 3-1 win over Liverpool - was there to help beat the press, aid in Arsenal's attempts to control the ball and play through City. But the home side's quality in possession shone through instead as it so often does and Arsenal adapted.

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Martin Odegaard came out and spoke to Sky Sports, revealing that it was indeed not the intention to be as deep as Arsenal were.

"We wanted all three points obviously, and we did our best to win but in the end, we didn't do enough, so we take the point and we move on," Odegaard said. "We had to defend a lot, a lot more than we planned to.

"We were dangerous in certain moments when we had the counters, but it is hard to keep the ball and build when you have defended for so long. Your legs are heavy. In the moments we managed to take the ball and get forward we looked dangerous and could have even won it at the end."

It's obvious from the selection and the admittance from the club captain that Arteta had planned for more possession. Nevertheless, his side is now at a level where it can adapt to the situation and therefore defended resolutely for extended periods while trying to make the chances count when they came.

Other than the Ake header, Arsenal ended the game having the better opportunities to score. Jesus missed two key chances, Odegaard and Havertz having chances to run in behind leading to little and Leandro Trossard's lack of awareness to switch to Gabriel Martinelli which ended in a shot straight at Stefan Ortega.

The Arsenal performance was mature and deserving of praise. It is not like Arteta to be risk-averse and he has said as much earlier this season.

This Arsenal side sets out to win every game it plays and Arteta has coached his team to do that in every single game they have played this season. Against City, it requires something different and whilst Liverpool might be lauded for their approach when they visit the Etihad Stadium, it is no surprise perhaps that Jurgen Klopp has never beaten Pep Guardiola in the league in Manchester.

Arteta came very close to picking up a win, and it bodes well for the future that it might indeed be possible. The result leaves Arsenal two points off the top with nine games to play but still a point ahead of City, who remain in third.