Manchester City came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and move above their opponents in the Premier League table.
Super Sunday oversaw an action packed match between Manchester City and Arsenal with Wenger hoping to put his poor record to Pep Guardiola to the test. It certainly looked like Wenger had achieved that test at half-time but Guardiola’s City turned their fortunes around with an impressive bullying performance over Arsenal who have now lost two games on the bounce – even when leading at half-time in both games. Two defeats in the north-west have deflated Arsenal’s balloon, who before had not suffered defeat since the opening day of the season at home to Liverpool.
According to Opta Joe:
3 – Arsenal have lost three games from leading positions this season – more than they did in the whole of last season. (2) Wasted.
Against Everton, the first-half was perfect and rosy for Arsenal as they were totally in control after Sanchez’s deflected free-kick, Everton just could not get close to the Arsenal goal as Wenger’s men dominated. Arsenal really should have put Everton to the sword that night but it wasn’t to be. Ronald Koeman’s men came out flying in the second-half as Arsenal capitulated and were totally submissive to Everton’s pressing and energy.
City took a leaf out of Everton’s book to put Arsenal’s weakness to the test.
For the first time this season, Guardiola kept the same back-line for two games in a row after their shut-out against the Hornets, meaning John Stones had to once again settle for a place on the bench. The continuity in the defence made little difference though as City were again left exposed by a quick Arsenal break – five minutes from the start – Petr Cech rolled the ball out to Hector Bellerin who was allowed time and space roam up to the half way line and pick out Alexis Sanchez who calmly performed a slide-rule pass for Theo Walcott to continue his good form in front of goal and put Arsenal ahead – his 11th goal in all competitions and his fourth in as many games.
However, that lead was nearly wiped out within a minute as City slickly worked the ball out wide to Kevin De Bruyne and the Belgian’s brilliant cross from the left was somehow headed wide by Raheem Sterling from close range – playing the lone front role in place of the suspended Sergio Aguero.
Apart from that Arsenal were in control without totally carving out clear openings but City’s fragile back-line was there to be taken advantage of before half-time – Wenger’s men could not repeat the kind of performance when they won 2-0 at City in January 2015.
All of Arsenal good work in the first-half were undone as City came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders – what Pep Guardiola said at half-time must have worked a treat as City imposed themselves on the game and totally controlled proceedings – as a result, City were level within two minutes of after half-time. The impressive Raheem Sterling drove forward with purpose in the Arsenal before exchanging passes with David Silva, and the Spanish playmaker lofted a beautiful weighted pass which found Leroy Sane through on goal. The flag stayed down, with Laurent Koscielny was deemed to have played the German youngster onside as he kept his cool and composure to score past the on-rushing Petr Cech for his first ever goal for Manchester City.
As Guardiola came out at half-time, there was a an aura of confidence, arrogance and demeanour as he knew what his side was capable of in the second half, and they duly delivered. Sane’s goal completely altered the flow of the contest in City’s favour. Arsenal key players were nowhere to be found – Ozil and Sanchez could not muster up an opportunity for the visitors as Claudio Bravo had absolutely nothing to do in the City goal.
With City not only quickest to every ball, but were every 50-50 challenge while Arsenal could just not breathe. David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling ran the Arsenal back-line ragged with the pressing, energy and movement. Petr Cech who was merely a spectator in the second half was immediately called into action as he made impressive stops to deny De Bruyne and Sane in the final quarter.
Arsene Wenger tried to force a reaction from his players as he brought on Oxlade-Chamberlain for Iwobi to inject much needed pace, but before the winger could even settle on the pitch, City were already 2-1 up as his English counterpart Raheem Sterling brilliantly beat Nacho Monreal and slotted home at the near post all of which came from an outstanding crossfield pass by the sensational Kevin De Bruyne, although Sterling had much to do he was clearly up to the challenge.
Sterling was heavily criticised for his poor run of form and was made a scapegoat for England’s failures in the summer at the Euro’s, but he has immediately found a new lease of life under the wing of one of the best managers in Guardiola. His goal against Arsenal highlighted the confidence and belief Guardiola has instilled Sterling’s game. With Kevin De Bruyne impressing and David Silva once again showing why he is considered one of the best attacking midfielders in the game. Mesut Ozil and Sanchez were left in their wake as they were nowhere to be found to have any sort of influence to pull Arsenal out of the traps.
City then brought on Jesus Navas for the tiring Leroy Sane and the substitute made an instant impression as he found De Bruyne from his cross on the right, only for the Belgian’s shot to cannon off the post.
But Arsenal, who lost Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury once again, failed to make City pay as Guardiola’s held on to record what could be a vital win in the race for the title. Once again, Arsenal blew away a lead at half-time – as they did at Goodison Park in the defeat to Everton. Another lethargic and abject second-half performance has immediately brought all their good work during the course of the season to a halt. The defeat to City means Arsenal remain nine points adrift of Chelsea and drop to fourth place. If Arsenal want to be challenging for the title, the mentality around the club certainly has to change.
While Wenger stated post match that his team were ‘mentally strong’. Gary Neville on Sky Sports disagreed:
“I don’t think it is. There was a huge psychological drop for Arsenal in the second half , I’m not quite sure where that has come from.”
Neville then added:
“They just looked completely lethargic, they were walking around the pitch, in such a huge game.”
Certainly, Arsenal lacked invention and were totally outclassed in the second half. In these so called ‘big games’, Wenger needed his big time players to show up; Ozil despite his sheer brilliance and technical ability, was once again on the periphery as he failed to live up to expectations on the big stage. Without a shadow of a doubt, Ozil is a great player but in these sort of games, he needs to be pulling out the stops for his team and that means fighting for the ball whenever he loses it – today, he just wasn’t with it. Same can be said for Alexis Sanchez who has been Arsenal’s main figurehead so far this season did not turn up for Arsenal – there was an instance during a stoppage in play where he was bowed looking bereft of ideas and belief – an image that could further bring the media into transfer news frenzy as his Arsenal future hangs in the balance.
Nonetheless, Arsene Wenger’s frailties has been exposed in the past couple of games and would need to find a solution fast to avoid another season of disappointment within the Arsenal camp. For Guardiola on the other hand, his side still needs major work defensively but his team can take massive confidence from a brilliant fight back in the second half.
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