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

ByAdam Schultz|
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)
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, Tomi
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

4. Arsenal Trending in the Right Direction

At the end of the day, it will go down as a 2-1 loss. But Arsenal showed what they are about for large spells against the best team in the land.

The Gunners enjoyed prolonged periods of joy against City and pinned them back in their half. It was total dominance at times. The consistent pressing and willingness to cover every blade of grass along with a very combative attitude had City fooled and scampering back to goal with their tails between their legs.

The Arsenal rearguard kept City to zero shots on target in the first half and their total of two in the match included one from the penalty spot.

The second half told a different story and if Gabriel Martinelli doesn’t hit the upright just seconds after City equalized, then maybe the result could have been different as Gabriel’s red card followed moments later.

Make no mistake, Arsenal made a statement despite losing that they are a team on the up and have what it takes to go toe to toe with the best in the league. Only 17 matches separated this defeat and the one at the Etihad earlier in the season.

It could easily have been years. An incredible improvement.

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