The momentum swung Manchester City’s way in the title race as they beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Manchester City are now top of the league on goal difference, although Arsenal still have a game in hand.
This wasn’t a pulsating encounter in the vein of the City VS Liverpool clashes in recent years. It was more of a chess match between two similar teams.
Eventually, Arsenal outdid themselves and will regret that City didn’t have to do anything special to beat them.
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Arsenal were superior in the first half, and ought to have been ahead when Eddie Nketiah flashed a header wide. Two minutes later, disaster. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s short backpass to Aaron Ramsdale was cut out and lobbed wonderfully into the net by Kevin de Bruyne. One nil Manchester City.
Arsenal responded well, and won a penalty in the 42nd minute which Bukayo Saka unerringly dispatched. You expected Arsenal to build on that in the second half, but the performance never materialised.
With Gabriel Jesus and surprise absence Thomas Partey out, Arsenal struggled to move up the pitch. They found themselves playing out from the back, which they are very good at, for most of the half.
The problem is those passages of play need to lead to chances and Manchester City gobbled up the ball whenever Arsenal crossed half way. Eventually, City’s pressing was too much and individual errors cost them Arsenal two goals.
On 72 minutes, Gabriel gave the ball away and City quickly released Jack Grealish who slotted home. Ten minutes later, Olexandr Zinchenko was careless and in a flash, Erling Haaland was putting the ball in the net.
Arsenal are now competing with City as equals but haven’t found the mental or emotional resources to actually beat them. They had their openings, but moments of hesitation and trying to be too clever saw them closed down.
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It was the wrong moment for them to play City as they’re in their worst slump of an incredible season. We are belatedly seeing the cost of not having Gabriel Jesus. He unlocks that left hand side with Zinchenko, Xhaka and Martinelli.
Without him that side of the pitch doesn’t click, leaving the creative responsibility with the Odegaard/Saka pod on the right. It’s easier to defend against just one wing and suddenly, Arsenal are looking pedestrian.
It’s a blow for Arsenal, no doubt. However, it is actually still in their own hands and we’re still in February. Their challenge now is to dust themselves off and not fade away.
