Assessing Guardiola's half-time changes

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola laughed off my observation about whether his half-time changes in the past two games were an indication he had got his team selection wrong, saying it was a new tactic because of the increased number of substitutes and he might do it again against Arsenal on Sunday.

The reality is making changes so early was notable against Brentford on Saturday because it hardly ever happens. So for Guardiola to pull the same trick again so quickly suggests something was not quite right.

Against Brentford, it was a physical presence City lacked, which is why Rodri and Josko Gvardiol were brought on. On Wednesday against Inter, it was mobility, which is why Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden took over from Kevin de Bruyne and Savinho (Guardiola said De Bruyne was coming off anyway, despite his injury).

Guardiola will be spending a bit of time thinking about who starts against Arsenal. Contrary to his riposte, he won't be wanting to make changes at half-time again because, given the opposition, he might find it is too late.