A very disappointing goalless draw at Etihad Stadium gave Liverpool the lead over Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League title battle.
Liverpool’s victory over Brighton at Anfield, where their two closest competitors cancelled one another out, has propelled them to the top of the table, two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of City.
This was a horribly disappointing match that belied its potential classic status, with Arsenal’s containing strategies stifling City’s opportunities while the Gunners had few of their own.
Before leaving the game hurt, Nathan Ake had a close-range header saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, while former City attacker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross inches from goal after the break.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome, but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
Although Guardiola’s team was under more pressure to win this game, their typical flowing passing style was rarely evident. The visitors’ organization and referee Anthony Taylor’s unwillingness to penalize the Gunners for a string of infractions also irritated the referee.
Erling Haaland was kept on the fringes the entire time, and despite the best efforts of master creators Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, City were never able to find their normal rhythm or momentum. It resulted in a messy, fragmented game.
Throughout the majority of the second half, the home team maintained control of the ball, although Raya and Stefan Ortega’s lack of nervous moments was indicative of the game.
Indeed, it is the first time City have failed to score at home in the Premier League since October 2021, a run of 47 games.
The defending champions will, as usual, be confident in winning the championship, but Guardiola will be extremely dissatisfied with his team’s inability to pose a threat to Arsenal. In fact, Jack Grealish, the substitute, received some long-term post-match coaching from his boss.
On Wednesday night, City returns to Etihad Stadium to take on in-form Aston Villa, aware that one more mistake may cost them dearly in this close race for the Premier League title.
Arsenal had a goal to win and an opportunity to demonstrate their growth at a venue where they have a dismal history when they took on Manchester City.
The Gunners have lost eight of their previous nine visits here before this game, drawing one and winning their last here in January 2015.
Here, Arteta’s team set out to be extremely disciplined and well-prepared to frustrate; it seemed like their plan was to earn the point they managed to gain rather than take additional risks in the hopes of winning.
Although it was a cautious strategy, it did show that Arsenal is more resilient and of stronger character than in the past, when they have occasionally given in to City’s offensive assault.
Arteta’s team demonstrated composure while simultaneously being willing to risk their lives when necessary, while never being in real danger of giving up—a testament to their performance alone.
They are only the fourth team to shut out a Guardiola squad twice in a single season after they had kept clean sheets in both of their games against the City.
Whether this is one point gained or two lost remains to be seen, but Arteta seemed satisfied enough at the final whistle.
(BBC)
