Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 things we learned – Dejected resignation

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal shows his frustrationafter defeat in the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on March 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal shows his frustrationafter defeat in the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on March 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Leroy Sane of Manchester City celebrates with team mates after his goal to make it 3-0 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on March 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Leroy Sane of Manchester City celebrates with team mates after his goal to make it 3-0 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on March 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

2. Manchester City are just too good

Arsenal will be heavily criticised for this performance. It was most certainly an abject one. But it was not as disappointing as their Carabao Cup final display. There were showings of effort and heart. There were players fighting for the cause. There were at least some who were willing to battle. Unfortunately, on this occasion, they came up against perhaps the best performance of the season.

City were magnificent. The control that they had of the ball, like a puppet-master pulling the strings of his puppet, was just wonderful. They toyed with their hosts, stretching them this way and that, tugging them in and out of their positions, confusing their structure, unpicking their discipline, just waiting for the opportune moment to strike. And then they did, with some venom.

Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and David Silva all produced moments of searing speed and directness to open up the Gunners. It was Sane for the first, all three for the second, which David Silva precisely planted into the top corner, and the Aguero for the third. Sometimes, you just have to hold your hands up and say that the better team won. This is one of those times.