Arsenal 1-2 Man City: 4 talking points from heartbreaking defeat

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri (2L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka (L) celebrates with team mates after he scores his team’s opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Bukayo Saka Continues Finding a New Level

What can you say about Saka that has not been said already?

The 20-year-old tormented Nathan Ake in the first half as Arsenal put their best foot forward, largely in part to the constant driving runs from Saka in wide areas. He won just about every one-on-one contest with the City defender and the quality of his control in tight areas never ceases to amaze.

His pace, power, willingness to run at his man and put the City backline under pressure was something Arsenal fans have become accustomed to this season. Exactly three days on from his debut he’s made immense progress in his development.

The goal was supremely well taken after a good ball from Kieran Tierney in the first half, and the amount of effort to put in understandably saw him fade in the second half before being substituted late on with Arsenal down to ten men.

This world is his oyster. He keeps finding new levels that players his age rarely ever hit.

He’s just 20 years old.

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