Man City now can be sure that Arsenal are a serious threat to their EPL dominance

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

I couldn’t be prouder of that team performance!

 After some time of reflection, most Gooners will agree that we achieved something bordering on miraculous against Man city this weekend, in a firery encounter at the Etihad where it got physical in the opening 5 seconds of the encounter. Remarkably this game had everything in it, from a red card to a dramatically late equalizer and everything in between, the game had it all.

The Citizens opened the scoring through record breaker Erling Haaland from a Riccardo Calafiori error that left our backline scrambling, it didn’t take long however for the Italian to make amends with a beautiful curling finish from the edge of the box in what would have been a dream full debut for him.

We soon took the lead from another well worked set piece and another superb Gabriel header, we were flying and potentially 45 mins away from dealing City their first home loss since 2022.

However disaster struck late in the first half when Trossard was sent off for a second bookable offence for delaying the restart. The game was ruined from there on in my opinion, with Arsenal forced to sit deep in what was 5-4 or 6-3 formation for the entirety of the second 45. City had a few chances, but we defended admirably. However our hearts were broken deep into stoppage time when we were caught out by City’s quick corner which eventually led to a goal from John Stones, Agony!

Not many teams do that to Man City, what we did in that second half was truly inspiring, though pinned back deeper than expected, we still managed to frustrate arguably the best club in the world four much of the half, even forcing the uncharacteristic recycling of sideways passes from the City rear guard. We were so impressive in our low block that it also forced them to take more rash shots from distance which is something that they usually don’t do often. They didn’t get too many clear cut chances, but they kept knocking on the door and despite our best efforts the pressure was just too much to handle at the end. But what I saw was this Man City celebrating nicking a point at the end just shows what a long way we’ve come, and that should just let them know that we’ll not be going anywhere in the race for the title anytime soon.

Honestly this felt like a loss after the great effort put in by the boys in this unfortunate circumstance however, after a bit of reflection, it is a very good point on the road despite the red card and the absentees for the game as well. This will not define our season because the season defining game will be the reverse fixture later this season in our own backyard, and Arsenal will hopefully have key players back so we can hopefully get a win over the line.

KENNETH BENJAMIN


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Tags Man City v Arsenal

6 Comments

  1. We are one point better off now than in the same fixtures last season but if it weren’t for the red cards I’d say we could’ve easily been five points better off I don’t want to see any more nonsense with these second yellows the players know now that referees esp Oliver likes to give Arsenal red if the players leave them with a decision We have to be pristine if we want to overcome City and Pool

  2. And the Man City entourage isn’t taking it lightly. They are very upset by the fact that they don’t have only Liverpool but us as well.
    The fans are making it a war?

    1. I think it’s the other way around though, isn’t it? Arsenal surely is already on City’s radar as potential title challengers (again, as in the past two seasons).

      It’s Liverpool who are emerging (at this early stage, anyway) as another contender. That’s not a big surprise I guess, but they have just changed coaches (“Arne who?”, etc.) so you can never be sure what will happen.

  3. I don’t think either Pep or City will be overly surprised. You need only look at the final table last season to see that Arsenal posed/pose an obvious threat.

    The fact remains though that there is a long, long way to go yet. We can all be sure (particularly Arsenal fans given what’s happened already this season) that there will be unexpected twists and turns to come before May.

    1. But I don’t think they have ever seemed as rattled as we saw after this game. They will be feeling more pressure and that is a good thing for us.

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