Arsenal Vs Manchester City: The game that deceives

Arsenal were outmatched and outclassed by a superb Manchester City side on Sunday. But this is a game that deceives. Arsene Wenger’s team were not that bad; City were, simply, phenomenal.

As Arsenal entered the season, Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, Stan Kroenke and others all made the proclamation of their goals: a title-challenge. It was plain and simple. Not easy. But obvious. Just three months and 11 games into the season, and that goal already looks like an unattainable one.

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The reason for that is not necessarily because of their own incompetence, though that is certainly a factor. Rather, it is the prolificacy of the league-leaders. Such is the searing pace that Manchester City are setting — 10 wins from 11 games, 31 points from a possible 33, and the best points haul and goal difference at this point in the season in Premier League history –, that it is difficult for any team to keep up, nevermind one was as flawed and dysfunctional as the Gunners.

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The disparity in the two teams was shown bare on Sunday. Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad was an anticipated one. The hope was to establish their title credentials. This has been, and still is, a much-maligned, much-doubted, much-criticised team. There are few who believe in the title protestations of Wenger.

So, travelling away from home, where the struggles have been more evident, against the best team in the country that many are ready to crown as champions already. This was the perfect stage with which Arsenal could plant their flag in the ground, lift their head up, and stake their claim as genuine, real, valid challengers for a trophy that has eluded them for more than a decade. Oh, how they missed.

Wenger may bemoan the influence of the referee. And there were two calls in particular that he is, perhaps, justified to have grievances with. But this was a dominant and controlled performance from City, who displayed their superiority in every aspect, every nuance, every nook and cranny of the game. There was not one blade of grass that was left with the impression that Arsenal could challenge.

But there is the rub. The thought that Arsenal could challenge is one that was not widely held at all. In fact, even the most optimistic fan had to concede that, to be sat atop the tree come May, everything had to break right. Not one misstep. Not one injury. Not one obstacle. And that is only compounded by the professionalism and precision of City. Put simply, they are on pace to be the best team in English footballing history. And by some distance.

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That is where, for Arsenal, the deception lies. Yes, they were outplayed on Sunday. Yes, they are a much inferior side to the fluidly ruthless one that Pep Guardiola has assembled. Yes, their title hopes have been decimated to a predictably painful degree. But this is not necessarily a bad team. City are just very, very good. Take them out the equation, and it’s just four points to the top. That’s not so bad at all.