Arsenal: 4 positives from last-gasp 2-1 Man City defeat

Coming away from a match against Manchester City usually makes Arsenal fans feel crestfallen. But that often comes as a result of being comfortably beaten. This is different.

Nobody gave Arsenal a hope in hell’s chance of winning this match. As impressive as their form had been with the results and performances just gone, there is no looking past the majesty of Man City.

Heading into Saturday’s game with ten straight Premier League wins in which they racked up 31 goals, Pep Guardiola’s side have continued to smash records with their most recent being the record number of victories by an English side in a calendar year.

They are frighteningly excellent.

Arsenal: 4 positives from last-gasp 2-1 Manchester City defeat as Rodri breaks Gunners’ hearts in the Premier League

Having been blown away by the same opposition 17 league matches ago, the expectancy wasn’t for Arsenal to secure a result. Instead, emotions were overtaken by a hope that the team could demonstrate their progression from that Etihad drubbing.

Without Mikel Arteta on the touchline it was expected to be even tougher for the hosts. That did not transpire. Arsenal were, despite the defeat, magnificent.

There were exceptional individual performances throughout the team, a collective spirit that provides no greater reassurance of a bright future, and a defeat defined only by the smallest of margins.

Losing ground in the hunt for the top four may be concerning, but Man City won’t have a tougher game all season. Leaving the Emirates heartbroken, the only response to the performance was one of genuine positivity.

1. Arsenal Showed Incredible Bravery

Against a team who work magic in the half-spaces and interchange across the pitch to draw players out of position so overloads can be fashioned, how you go about beating them is like trying to pass a camel through the eye of a needle.

Suffocating their opposition as they grip two hands on them either side and start squeezing, you have to be brave out of possession or else their dominance is allowed to grow.

This means challenging for the duels with a belief you can win them, pushing bodies forward out of your defensive third when the ball is in their half, and cutting off their passing lanes out from the back to force the turnovers.

Arsenal did all of those elements. That first half performance was not just the best under Mikel Arteta, it was one of the best in years. To not only go toe to toe with City but also having their gasping for air on the ropes is a feat few sides will manage.

The gulf in class between Arsenal and City was barely noticeable. That is the biggest compliment you can pay a side who are favourites for the Champions League and Premier League.

Arsenal were brave and they so nearly got their rewards.

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2. The Trio of Odegaard, Xhaka & Partey

Since the new-look team first got its run out as a unit earlier in the season it has all been about forging partnerships. This applies all over the pitch, whether it’s the full-back and his winger, the two central defenders or, in this case, the central triangle.

Martin Odegaard is on course to scoop the Premier League POTM award for his outstanding recent displays. He’s found his groove in this team. And, gradually, Thomas Partey has been building up his confidence after an earlier wobble at the start of the month. And, Granit Xhaka is adding more control in midfield.

It is not a coincidence that the three are hitting these levels all around the same time. They improve each other and the understanding between the three is helping to elevate Arsenal to the levels they are now at.

The dynamic in midfield between Partey and Xhaka is different to how it was previously – and working even better. Barring another inexcusable and idiotic moment, Xhaka was outstanding against City as he performed a box-to-box type role and pressed from the front, always offering a passing option either in front or behind.

Partey had his best ever performance in an Arsenal shirt and Odegaard stitched all the parts together fluidly as he set players off in the right moments. As a trio they look as dangerous and connected as any in the division. There is centrality and counter-pressing interwoven with clever positioning and compactness out of possession.

A shame, then, that Xhaka is still capable of being a moron and Partey is now gone for the entire month.

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3. Back Four Limit Man City

Manchester City didn’t register a shot on target in the first half. They would eventually have two, one coming from the penalty spot, and both found the back of the net.

To restrict the side with the most goals in the Premier League to the chances they had is testament to a superb defensive performance. Each member of the back four was aggressive in and out of possession, protected their spaces well and held their line when transitioning.

In front of them Xhaka and Partey kept central areas compact and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli provided fine cover in wide areas while still holding positions to counter with pace.

The key takeaway from the defensive showing was the duels. If a tackle wasn’t won, which was infrequently, the next man along was there to come in and follow up. Standing, sliding and recovery challenges were pinpoint.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, who didn’t even get a training session, will empty his pockets and find Raheem Sterlig when he gets home. On him like a rash every time he received the ball, the England international didn’t get a sniff either side of the 23-year-old who had the whole right side locked down.

Even with ten men Arsenal managed to keep City at arm’s length with their only efforts at goal being a free hit and a lucky ricochet deep into injury time. There a re huge positives to draw from how the team shaped up and performed without the ball.

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4. Gabriel Misses EFL Cup – Not Premier League

Addressing the issue first, Gabriel can have no complaints about his red card. It was revealed after the game by Albert Stuivenberg that the first yellow card was for dissent – apparently no ‘bad’ words were said – while the second was pure clumsiness.

It was reminiscent of his sending off against Southampton last season, where his marker turned him near the half way line and he hauled him down with it apparently slipping his mind that he was already cautioned.

Seeing him do so is also upsetting since the rash challenges were a part of his game that had been eradicated this season. He’d improved considerably in that department. What he did against City, however, was stupid and costly.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t still vital to this team, of course. Up until that point he was having an excellent game, and if there is a silver lining it is that his suspension will be carried out against Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup tie. That game is at home, which also helps, while the next Premier League game would is away at Tottenham where he will be vitally needed.

So, thanks to a fairly recent rule change, he will be around for Spurs. Still set to be a loss for the Reds match, the league remains the priority.