It’s over for Arsenal! Man City Emphatic win pressures the Gunners

Man City Pulls Out Emphatic win against League Leaders

Arsenal knew that only a win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night would suffice.

But the Gunners were destroyed by Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable force, who were already hot favorites to win the Premier League before their emphatic 4-1 triumph.

Kevin de Bruyne set the tone for the evening with a low seventh-minute strike that beat Aaron Ramsdale and put the winners ahead. After surviving a VAR check, a John Stones header doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, before De Bruyne added his second after the interval to end Arsenal’s title hopes. Rob Holding scored a consolation goal for the visitors in the final five minutes before Erling  Haaland made it four.

It could have been even worse for Mikel Arteta’s side, too, who were indebted to Ramsdale for a string of saves to thwart Haaland before his inevitable goal.

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Here are all the talking points…

1. City’s juggernaut rolls on

Although Arsenal has been good for the whole of the season, City appears to have peaked at the right time, and it appears that their class and experience will ultimately prove decisive in this year’s title competition.

Guardiola’s team has not lost since February and has hit top speed just when Arsenal collapsed. And City’s juggernaut is now eyeing a triple after moving into first place in the league.

They are chasing their first Champions League title and will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals, as well as local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. It would be quite an achievement if they were to win all three trophies, but it would take a brave soul to bet against City right now.

2. Haaland and De Bruyne’s “brilliant” partnership

Both Haaland and De Bruyne have been crucial to City’s run of form, which has come at the best time in this title fight. Haaland has now scored 16 goals in his past nine appearances, while De Bruyne has already contributed eight goals in City’s last four league games.

And the duo was a continuous threat throughout the game, combining superbly for the first and third goals as they reversed roles, with Haaland becoming the provider to set up De Bruyne. “It’s a textbook center-forward play from Erling Haaland to find Kevin De Bruyne, and he shows great pace before stroking it into the corner,” Dion Dublin, a former striker, observed on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Haaland and De Bruyne are no more than 10 yards away from each other all the time and they just play as a pair. It is brilliant to watch.”

3. Stones continues to star

It was not that long ago that Guardiola appeared open to letting Stones leave the club, but the 28-year-old has been crucial for City this season. Stones have been playing a more advanced role in City’s defense and were once again excellent against Arsenal.

He helped City nullify Arsenal until Holding’s late strike, while also popping up with a key goal and has thrived in his new role. “He’s been unique this season, he’s made that role into his own,” former City defender Joleon Lescott told BT Sport last week.

“You’ve seen other teams adopt a similar style, but the way he’s performing with the ball at his feet, his recognition of patterns, he’s picking up spaces, identifying where the next pass is. There are not many players with that capability and he’s obviously full of confidence.”

4. Arsenal missing Saliba

It’s no accident that Arsenal has shed six points and failed to keep a single clean sheet since William Saliba’s injury against Sporting Lisbon in March.

The Frenchman had been brilliant with Gabriel Magalhaes for the Gunners, and while his absence is not the only reason for Arsenal’s recent troubles, it is evident that they are a far less efficient defensive unit without him. Holding, who replaced Saliba, is a more limited defender who struggled against City’s onslaught for much of the game, while Gabriel has not looked the same without his customary partner.

It was a point former Wales defender Ashley Williams made on BBC Match of the Day last week, saying: “If you look at the stats here, the win percentage with and without him and the points per game and big chances conceded per game – they are obviously a lot better with him in the team. They had such a settled back line before, they just do not look the same team when he is not on the pitch.”

5. Gunners’ woes vs City continue

Despite making good improvement under Arteta, Arsenal continues to struggle versus City, having lost their previous 12 Premier League meetings against them. It is Arsenal’s greatest losing streak against a single opponent, and they have lost all seven visits to the Etihad Stadium while Guardiola has been in charge.

The aggregate score has been 20-3 in that period, with Arsenal failing to score in eight of their last twelve games. Arteta, who was Guardiola’s assistant for many years, has yet to beat his master in the league in seven attempts.