‘I do not think Arsenal are communicating as well as Man City right now’published at 09:29 BST
09:29 BST
Burnley 0-1 Manchester City
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Phil Johnson, a chartered member of the British Psychological Society’s division of sport and exercise, told BBC Sport: “One of the gifts that Guardiola has is his strong emotional connection with his players, with the staff and with the fans. This is crucial to the whole culture of the club. He is getting players to perform significantly well – some of whom may be considered to have gone past their best.
“What we are seeing with Arsenal is something I often see when I work with swimmers and runners. They are so close to the finish line that for a moment they imagine that they’ve already won – their bodies and their brains just kind of relax that little bit more and they get pipped to the post.
“When Arsenal were nine points clear of City we saw that the energy of the team dropped. They were slower and less determined. They weren’t offensive in terms of tackling and regaining possession, except when they were pushed hard.
“I don’t think Arsenal are communicating anywhere near as well as Man City are right now. Communication is about keeping a group together with the absolute focus of wanting this to happen. If there is one thing that managers can influence it is the focus and the mission of the group.
“I think momentum is significant and that is where City have been particularly good. Momentum is conceptual, it’s an idea, but it has a tangible feeling to it. You literally can feel that sense of being in control.
“I often use the queen bee analogy to demonstrate leadership. She has a pheromone – like an energy – which keeps the bees happy. She travels round and touches the bees with her own pheromone.
“This keeps the whole group tight together. It’s like Guardiola is the queen bee at Manchester City and has got the right pheromones going through his hive at the moment.”