Whether that unusual arrangement had any influence on untypical performance from City, who lacked zip and inspiration as they struggled to break down the French side, is a matter of pure guesswork and Arteta wasn't in the mood to be drawn on it.
A round-up of the action in the English Premier League on Monday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey's injury could have been prevented, Wales manager Chris Coleman has said, adding he was surprised the Euro 2016 semi-finalist was rushed back for the opening Premier League game against Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has blamed his side's poor finish as the reason behind their goalless draw against Southampton in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will make a late decision on whether influential forward Alexis Sanchez will be fit enough to be included in the squad that travel to take on Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday. The Chilean international had scored six league goals this season before being sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury against Norwich City on Nov. 29. He was expected to return to the side before Christmas but suffered a setback that delayed his recovery, and Wenger was unwilling to risk him in Wednesday's 3-3 league draw with Liverpool.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will be a "massive improvement" on predecessor Louis van Gaal, according to former Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson.
Jose Mourinho admitted that Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal means it will now be "impossible" for Manchester United to finish in the top four.
France's Paul Pogba has yet to show his full potential and it remains too early to judge the midfielder, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said of his compatriot. After subdued displays in his first two Euro 2016 Group A outings against Romania and Albania, the 23-year-old produced an improved performance in the goalless draw against Switzerland on Sunday as unbeaten France topped their pool.
'Now even winning our games does not guarantee us to be in the Champions League, that is what we have to achieve'
France and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has fuelled speculation that Jamie Vardy is on his way to the Gunners by saying he has heard the Leicester City striker is keen to move.
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss Wales' friendly at home to the Netherlands on November 13, manager Chris Coleman said on Wednesday.
Injury-plagued midfielder Jack Wilshere is fit and with a few more games under his belt will be ready to play for England at the European Championship next month, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said.
Arsenal stayed ahead of Manchester United in the race to qualify directly for next season's Champions League when they drew 1-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday while Manchester City made sure of their place in the group stage with a 4-2 win at Swansea City.
Liverpool kept their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League on course as Emre Can thundered home a second-half winner to complete a hard-earned 2-1 comeback win over Burnley at a relieved Anfield on Sunday.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa and Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista have both been charged by the Football Association after incidents in Saturday's bad-tempered Premier League derby at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey hopes the North London can choke LeicesterCity's unexpected Premier League title charge after picking up their first win in five matches in Sunday's 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
The pressure is now on Leicester City's title rivals to remove the Foxes from the top of the Premier League table, manager Claudio Ranieri said after Saturday's thumping 3-1 league victory over Manchester City.
According to BBC, the manager's future will be decided at season end 'This is 20 years of work here. He's been magnificent for the club. This is a massive low point for him. This brings forward the change that looks likely at the end of the season'
If you are a football fan, particularly of the English Premier League, you are bound to 'follow' your favourite club on Twitter.
Arsenal will reportedly play Chelsea in a fourth-round Capital One Cup match after winning 4-3 on penalties against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday at The Hawthorns.
'No problem with the player. It isn't true, that information'
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described his Football Association fine as a 'disgrace' and branded his suspended one-match stadium ban 'astonishing' after his comments about referees, British media reported on Thursday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was surprised by his former striker Nicklas Bendtner's move to second-tier side NottinghamForest, but hoped it would revive the Dane's stalled career.
Bitter rivals Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho had wildly contrasting afternoons on Saturday as Arsenal went top of the Premier League and champions Chelsea lost again with their manager being sent off.
Tottenham Hotspur beat local rivals Arsenal with second-half goals from prolific pair Dele Alli and Harry Kane on Sunday to maintain their Premier league title challenge.
West Ham United capitalised on two mistakes from Arsenal's new goalkeeper Petr Cech to claim a surprise 2-0 victory at the Emirates and bring the Gunners' early Premier League optimism down to earth with a bump on Sunday.
Manchester City moved back into third place and almost guaranteed Champions League qualification thanks to a 3-1 home victory against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.
UEFA president Michel Platini has repeated his call for the "triple punishment" of red card, penalty and suspension to be dropped following two controversial dismissals in the Champions League this week.
Central defender Thomas Vermaelen is mulling the prospect of leaving Arsenal in January to boost his chances of playing for Belgium in the World Cup finals.
More clubs should follow the Ajax Amsterdam model of promoting former players to executive roles, according to the Dutch side's assistant manager Dennis Bergkamp.
Holders Arsenal's long unbeaten run in the FA Cup continued but they were frustrated by stubborn Championship leaders Hull City on Saturday, drawing 0-0 in a dreary fifth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on the Football Association (FA) to ban players who dive in order to rid the game of play acting to win free kicks or penalties.
The two previous meetings at Anfield ended in 4-0 and 3-1 defeats for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal teams, but there is a fresh optimism around the club after a successful transfer window.
A dispirited Arsene Wenger lamented his team's recent goal drought as Arsenal.
Holders and Premier League leaders Arsenal will be at home to Championship (second tier) Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup after most of the big guns avoided top flight opponents in Monday's draw.
Midfielder Jack Wilshere will be offered a new Arsenal contract despite being sent to Bournemouth on loan this season, the London club's manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has quashed persistent transfer rumours, saying he had never thought of leaving the StamfordBridge and that he is extremely happy with his current club.
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