The Etihad Stadium was treated with an absolute classic as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City snatched a point from 10-men Arsenal. Heading into this game, the home side were two points ahead of their title rivals.
However, Arsenal’s record at the Etihad is not great, with just one victory from nine visits. The fact that Erling Haaland got the opening goal actually made the game entertaining, as it then meant that Arsenal had to open up.
Even though Arsenal defended valiantly in spite of Trossard’s daft act after he was given a yellow card, Bernardo Silva should have been cautioned for doing the same thing. You could also argue that Haaland should have been cautioned for angrily throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head.
To defeat City, you must be on it at all aspects of your game, especially defensively, for the full 90+ minutes. If you switch off for one second, you will be punished.
So you feel that although we are still early into the season, this is a missed opportunity for Arsenal to send shivers down City’s spine by beating them in their backyard.
City’s attitude and mentality of knowing how to win games or snatch a draw from a possible defeat are just incredible, and today was another example of that.
Guardiola: A Master Of Changing Games
Embed from Getty ImagesOne reason this City side is so good is their manager’s excellent in-game management skills.
Evan thought Arsenal was superb defensively, and you could see Manchester City building up the pressure. The short corner from Jack Grealish completely outfoxed Arsenal’s defenders.
It is a matter to be discussed whether this was a pre-planned training ground move, but it just shows why they are one of, if not the best, team in the world.
They have a manager who believes that he can pull out a result from any situation, and he has instilled that mentality into his players.
Perhaps that’s what Arteta and his players can learn: Can you grind out a win in a close match against your biggest rivals?
How Does This Result Impact the Future?
As the League table stands, City, which is at the top, sits two points ahead of Arsenal, which is now fourth with eleven points.
But as City are so consistently good, you could argue that Arsenal should try to stay unbeaten until the clash at the Emirates Stadium on 1 February.
But Arteta and his players must dig in and try to maintain consistency in results.
As for the Champions, it looks as if this title-winning Juggernaut is set to continue for this season.
What next do we have in store in this enthralling title race?