FORMER Premier League boss Sam Allardyce says Arsenal "parked a double decker bus" against Manchester City.
The two title contenders played out a drab goalless draw last Sunday.
Arsenal have faced criticism from some due to their defensive approach to the game that aimed to restrict City to few chances.
But Allardyce, who has managed the likes of England, West Ham and Newcastle, praised Mikel Arteta's tactics but said it was not a stroke of genius.
He told the William Hill and Footy Accumulators' podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football: "People are calling Arsenal’s performance at the Etihad a masterclass in defending – it wasn’t.
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"Arteta clearly asked the team simply not to lose. A point away at Manchester City is valuable and that is what they set out to get.
"They parked the bus – a double-decker bus at that!
“Everybody was looking forward to it being an entertaining game and it wasn’t, but I have to say that doesn’t happen very often anymore.
"I have to give Arteta full marks for the way they went about nullifying Manchester City.
"He is there to win the league this time. He blew it last year, he gave it away. I think he has learnt his lesson and is developing as a manager and the new signings have made them better.”
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Arsenal were without centre-back William Saliba for the run-in last season as he was injured.
Allardyce believes the Frenchman's fitness this time around could swing the title race in the Gunners' favour.
He explained: "Losing Saliba was the reason they lost the league last year because as soon as he was out they started conceding goals.
"This year he is still there and he is the best centre-back in the country at the moment.”
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There are just eight matchweeks to go and Allardyce believes City will win it for a fourth time in a row if they can fix their defensive issues as they have been "too easy to score against" lately.