In order to frustrate the champions, Mikel Arteta’s team shown incredible grit, which implies they are nearing the end of their evolutionary process.
The Premier League is returning, for real this time! At the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Manchester City and Arsenal delivered an instant classic that nobody saw coming. In 2023–24, the neutral parties were engrossed in the tentative chess matches between the top two clubs in English football. The season prior, however, saw City win 7–2 on aggregate, casting doubt on the idea of a lasting rivalry.
But Arsenal finally bared their teeth on Sunday. Despite playing the whole second half with 10 men, Mikel Arteta’s team was only seconds away from departing Manchester with three points. John Stones’ equalizer in the 98th minute was a terrible blow following such a valiant display, but the outcome shouldn’t take away from the fact that the Gunners achieved a vital psychological breakthrough.
Arsenal was thrown off balance by City, but they battled valiantly from the first kickoff to the very end. The winners’ incredible record of 48 games without a loss in all competitions was continued, although they lost their unbeatable streak for the first time in over two years.
With their newfound aggression, the Gunners will feel like equals to City now, and deservedly so, after lacking it in the previous two campaigns. Arsenal now has good reason to think that the trophy will return to north London in May for the first time in 21 years, even though the draw doesn’t place them in the driver’s seat.
displaying no fear
Since taking over as City’s manager in 2016, Pep Guardiola has only experienced loss once at the Etihad. That was in 2016. Guardiola’s first season in English football saw Chelsea cause them only one of those defeats—a squad that was poised to win the championship.
In March, Arsenal had a fantastic opportunity to add their name to that list, but they chose to back off and settle for a scoreless draw against an injured City rather than going all out. It was an unacceptable act of cowardice, and it cost Guardiola’s team the league title, which was won by them for the fourth time in a row.
Despite a nervous beginning where City appeared capable of overwhelming the Gunners, there was no panic this time around. Unexpectedly, Arteta adopted a man-to-man press from the beginning, which was extremely risky given Savinho and Jeremy Doku’s quickness and cunning. With just nine minutes remaining, Savinho, in particular, made Arsenal pay by finding himself in plenty of space whenever he was able to outpace his defender and set up Erling Haaland for his 100th goal in a City shirt.
However, the visitors showed patience, and their play had a genuine goal when they did get the opportunity to attack during the transition. Arsenal moved forward in large numbers, trying to find the easiest path to the goal. After a verbal altercation with referee Michael Oliver left Kyle Walker out of position, Walker had every right to be upset about the quick free-kick that resulted in the equalizer. However, Gabriel Martinelli took advantage of the situation brilliantly, driving into the box and setting up Riccardo Calafiori for a spectacular first-time effort.
Just before the half, Arsenal launched another strong assault that had City on the defensive before Gabriel Magalhaes headed the team ahead from a corner. The strategy was on point, and Arteta’s crew was performing like a lethal coil spring, but suddenly catastrophe hit.Adhering to Mourinho’s blueprint
After receiving a booking for tugging on Savinho’s shirt early in the first half, Leandro Trossard was already on thin ice when stoppage time arrived. Oliver had sounded the whistle for a foul when the Belgian rashly shoved Bernardo Silva over while attempting to reach a looping clearance, which was enough to earn him a yellow card. He then continued to boot the ball away.
Shortly after Arsenal had taken the lead in the game, Trossard was cautioned by Oliver once more for prolonging the restart instead of challenging Bernardo. Trossard let his team down and put Arteta in a difficult situation, thus it didn’t matter that Doku got away with it in a similar event without being punished.
Naturally, the Spaniard chose to follow Jose Mourinho’s lead and attempt to preserve Arsenal’s lead in the second half. With all nine of their outfield players positioned behind the ball, the Gunners occupied the edge of their own box, allowing City to gain 88.5 percent of the possession.
Arsenal’s will did not falter in the face of relentless waves of assault, and City were forced to settle for long-range pot shots as they attempted to break through the low block. The champs didn’t even appear to have a chance to score until the very end, when luck finally turned their way.
After having Mateo Kovacic’s effort ricochet nicely into his path only five yards from goal, Stones leveled the score with City’s 28th shot of the second half, which is now tied for the most in a Premier League game. When City was allowed to leave jail, there was a tangible feeling of relief around the Etihad.
Conversely, it was total destruction for Arsenal. After the final whistle, Arteta told reporters, “The way the team competes is unbelievable,” but he also saw the wider picture. I’m so happy for them. It is impossible to put you in a more challenging scenario while facing that sort of opponent. The lads were devastated. They gave it their all. Every action they take is done with all of their heart. They are also aware that by acting as individuals here today, they have taken yet another significant step.
vicious border
Stones was not surprised that Arsenal, under a continuous City attack, expertly gained time wherever they could. “We knew to expect that, as they have been doing it for a few years now,” the City supersub told Sky Sports. “You may characterize it as sly or as cunning as you like. However, they disrupt the game, which throws off the beat. They take advantage of that, and we handled it expertly.”
Despite the fact that City was probably expecting some anti-football sentiment from the Gunners following the season’s draw at the Etihad, Stones’ tone seemed rather resentful. This is due to the fact that, in contrast to other years, Arsenal made this game into a brawl and pressed City’s buttons, disrupting their cool-headedness in the process.
During the initial part of Arsene Wenger’s tenure at the club, Arsenal consistently performed the same versus Manchester United. Under the Frenchman, they defeated the Red Devils to win three crowns based more on character than talent, having a steely inner core that made them formidable opponents.
Despite all of the advancements and beautiful football, Arteta’s team hasn’t had it in the previous five years, which is why Sunday was such a significant day. For the first time, the competition with City had a fierce edge. This new Arsenal team knew when to turn to the dark arts in order to obtain an advantage, as evidenced by Kai Havertz’s brutal body check on Rodri just seconds after the opening whistle and Gabriel’s persistent attempts to inflame Haaland, who ultimately allowed his emotions to get the better of him.Beneath the surface of City
After the match, Bernardo unleashed an incredible assault on the Gunners, telling TNT Sports Brazil: “There was only one team that came to play football.” Stones and Haaland weren’t the only City players alarmed by Arsenal’s attitude. Unfortunately, the other player arrived to play as close to the boundaries as the referee would permit. Although we’re not satisfied since we wanted the three points, I’m pleased with how we approached and played the game. I’m happy that we attempt to win every game that we go into.”
When asked to draw a parallel between City’s rivalry with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team and the match against Arsenal, the Portugal midfielder replied, “The difference? I’m not sure. Perhaps because Arsenal hasn’t yet won a Premier League and Liverpool has. Arsenal hasn’t won a Champions League, although Liverpool has. According to this viewpoint, the games we’ve played against Arsenal haven’t been like the ones we’ve played against Liverpool since Liverpool has always tried to win the games by facing us face-to-face.”
Bernardo is correct in one regard: Arsenal’s inability to win the greatest titles under the Arteta period prevents them from being able to compete with City just yet. However, the fact that he was so angry indicates that the Gunners truly got under City’s skin, which is a positive move.
Liverpool frequently and admirably fought toe-to-toe with City, but throughout Klopp’s nine years in charge, Liverpool only won the championship once. If Arsenal wants to rise to the top of the English football pyramid, they must continue to make sure that City detests playing against them. This requires matching Guardiola in terms of sheer football brilliance.Rodri delivers a hammer-blow
But it’s also important to remember that City’s weaknesses didn’t really show until after Rodri was driven out. Twenty minutes into the match, the 28-year-old looked to twist his knee after a harmless scuffle with Thomas Partey. He was in obvious pain when he ultimately shuffled off the field with assistance from City’s medical team.
Guardiola responded, “I don’t know, I didn’t speak to the doctor,” when asked about Rodri’s current state of health. “But Rodri is powerful. If Rodri stayed on the pitch, he would not have left the pitch in this manner because he sensed something. He is the world’s finest holding midfield player and has a great chance to win the Ballon d’Or. I hope he does.”
The way Rodri’s knee moved so violently may have caused him to suffer an ACL damage, according to Physio Scout, a football injury expert account on X. This might entail a nine-month absence for the midfield player. The “best case” scenario for City, they said, is a meniscus problem, but even in that situation, Rodri would still need a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Arsenal will benefit if a scan confirms Guardiola’s worst suspicions, as Rodri is irreplaceable. The Euro 2024 hero from Spain keeps City moving while on the ball, is the best enforcer when off it, and has a helpful knack of finding the net in crucial games.
With Rodri on the club, City has gone 52 games without a loss in the Premier League; nevertheless, when he is not, they struggle. During his three league games and one Carabao Cup tie suspension from the previous season, City lost all four of those games. Mateo Kovacic is capable of filling in, although in that role, he is far less capable than Rodri.
In Rodri’s absence, Arsenal has every opportunity to take the lead over City, and they seem to have the street smarts to win this time.What comes next?
Arsenal may have lost the opportunity to win the league, but with the exciting draw at the Etihad, they are still just two points behind leaders City and are undefeated for the 2024–25 season. Now that Leicester, Southampton, and Bournemouth are in favorable matchups, Arteta should score as many points as possible.
Had it not been for the red cards given to Declan Rice and Trossard against Brighton and City, respectively, the Gunners may very well still be unbeaten. In order to achieve their ultimate aim, Arteta’s team, which is always becoming better, may go on a lengthy winning streak and, when needed, grind out victories while balancing responsibilities to the domestic cup and the Champions League.
At a squad dinner in London, the Arsenal players made a promise to Arteta after losing to the team from 2023–24 on the last day of competition. The Spanish strategist stated in August, “We had a get-together with the entire club and the players were saying to me: ‘we are going to be better, we are going to do it, we want more.'” “They are the ones who are pursuing that goal.”
Arsenal has more experience and is tougher than ever. They have come a long way under Arteta, and they are clearly determined to see the project through to the end. The Gunners no longer face the psychological obstacle that was preventing them from succeeding.
Arsenal has proven that they are not unbeatable, but City is still the side to beat. A genuine undercurrent of danger has just been introduced into the championship battle, and it will be interesting to watch whether a change of leadership occurs in the upcoming months.
