Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola rued his side’s inability to take their second-half chances as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland.
The draw means Arsenal are four points clear at the halfway point of the Premier League season but Guardiola was pleased with his side’s display against the Black Cats – who remain unbeaten at home.
Rodri returned from injury at half-time to improve City’s midfield while opposing captain Granit Xhaka was once again excellent throughout.
Guardiola said: “It was good and we take the point. Second half was excellent. We missed. We could not score in the six-yard box.
“How many times we were in the six-yard box against the keeper and could not convert? Of course, the threat they have, they are really good. I am really pleased with the performances, especially in the second half.
“We create a lot against that team in this stadium, especially in the second half. The first half, we struggled simply because we struggled against their pressing but Rodri gave us the second pass, a pause to break the lines, and we could run. Second half was much better.
“They are so physical. They’re so strong, so it’s not a surprise at that. We take the point. [It’s] a long way.
“The result is always what it is.”
Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs made four saves and Burnley’s Martin Dúbravka is the only goalkeeper to make more stops in the Premier League this season.
But City’s Gigi Donnarumma had to make a big first-half save to deny Brian Brobbey and Sunderland boss Regis le Bris was a happy man.
He said: “It was a good game. Against a really strong opponent, one of the best in Europe. We showed we can defend high, when they came a bit higher with their quality we had to manage the ball in the final third. They created many chances but the character was good. Even when we were on the edge we had one foot, one head, something to protect the ball.
“It was important to escape their counter press, they were excellent a few weeks ago at the Etihad and it was impossible to escape their counter press. We did well with that today. We are growing and learning from different experiences.
“It’s a question of experience, the standards in our team are high. They want to get better. If you stay at the same level, the league is going so fast that you’ll be finished. They are still ambitious.”
