Arsenal 0-1 Man City: 4 talking points from Premier League defeat

Arsenal Were Never Going to Win, But it’s Still Disappointing

Only the very brave or those with a penchant for going against the odds would have predicted Arsenal winning this fixture. A draw might have sneaked into a few predictions, but nothing more.

Given that Arsenal followed the overriding pre-match consensus of losing, the fact it still feels disappointing boils down to the events of the game. Conceding so early and then going on to be in the game from thereon in, the lack of cutting edge in the final third made for frustrating viewing.

It was mentioned pre-match that the only way the Gunners could secure a positive result was if City had an uncharacteristic off day and Arsenal played out of their skins. The former happened. Not the latter.

City were pulsating to start with but left gaps down the left when Joao Cancelo tucked in, and that spell in the first half was the best chance of forging a route back into the game. Even in the second half where Arsenal had the majority of the ball, the overriding lack of quality in the final 25 yards left so much to be desired.

It wasn’t in any way dominating and the feeling that City held Arsenal at arm’s length can’t be shirked, but to have been 1-0 down with 20 minutes to go would’ve been a scenario few supporters would have scoffed at. Just like against Benfica, nothing came of it. It falls on Arsenal to not throw caution to the wind, but also credit must go to a City side who changed their shape to accommodate the only area of danger in the Arsenal side.