Manchester City versus Arsenal was one of the most anticipated games of the Premier League season but its sheer importance in the title race — and how equally matched the two sides are — resulted in a cautious and goalless first half.
The energy and aggression were dialled up after the break but chances remained at a premium. After we witnessed 99 touches in the penalty area in Brentford’s game with Manchester United yesterday, this was a very different sort of game. Technical, tactical, tense.
The game opened up in the last 10 minutes, with Erling Haaland failing to take a very presentable chance but, ultimately, it was a match where the two defences showed how effective they are, and an encounter from which Liverpool are probably the biggest winners.
Here, our writers break down some of the key talking points from the match.
De Bruyne was a genuine revelation on his return from injury — remember that cameo at Newcastle where he came on and gave absolutely everything he had in about 20 minutes, scoring and conjuring up a fine last-minute assist.
He normally comes back and needs time to get back to his slick best, but some tweaks to his rehabilitation ensured he was back in full fettle.
But fast forward a couple of months and he has struggled to make his mark on big games, having been very wasteful against Chelsea, quiet against Manchester United, taken off at Liverpool and generally muted again here today.
He could have been taken off again, even if he did look brighter in the final 15 minutes or so, but his influence on these matches has not been what we have come to expect after years of match-winning contributions, and that roaring return from a serious hamstring injury.
Sam Lee
(Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
Rice brings Arsenal so much closer
Declan Rice might have chosen his destination differently last summer when leaving West Ham, but his presence on this pitch in red and white crystalises how Arsenal felt they could turn up and compete.
Rice was part of the group that was beckoned over by Mikel Arteta midway through the first half for some important instruction which settled and reset the team. His positioning might have been tweaked but one thing that was never in question was his poise.
Rice, fresh from playing every minute of the internationals for England, was at the heart of Arsenal’s resistance. It was hard not to wonder how different this match might have looked had he been on the other side.
He has been monumental for Arsenal. Arteta describes him as the lighthouse, looking out for everything to take care of his team in choppy waters. Physically, tactically and spiritually, he is a beacon for Arsenal.
Amy Lawrence
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Raya’s safety-first approach made sense
Given how fine the margins are at the top of the table, Mikel Arteta will be acutely aware that the clashes against Arsenal’s title rivals are often decided by moments. So often it comes down to a set piece, a bounce of the ball, or a mistake, and it was clear that Arsenal’s manager had instructed his players not to mess about with possession at the back — ensuring any mistakes made were safely away from their own goal.
This is evidenced by David Raya’s approach on the ball. Arsenal’s goalkeeper typically elects to play a long ball (passes of 35+ yards) with 43 per cent of his passes on average this season. Against Manchester City, that share shot up to 83 per cent — 29 long balls across the whole game.
Only once, in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool in December (85 per cent), did Raya have a higher long-ball share in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal are undoubtedly the league’s best out of possession side this season, but Manchester City’s ability to suffocate the opposition with their devastating high press will have been at the forefront of Arteta’s mind when curating his gameplay. No team averages more possessions won in the attacking third than City’s 7.1 per 90 this season.
A pessimistic view would be that Arsenal lacked the bravery to build out from the back, but their risk averse approach was probably the best decision. What is clear is that Raya’s decisions on the ball were not by luck, but by design.
Mark Carey
City were oddly flat throughout
First of all you have to credit Arsenal’s off the ball performance, which some on X have called parking the bus.
Whatever it was, was very effective, and to keep City quiet in a big home game is not something that has happened for a long time. You also have to think that City themselves contributed to that, though, with basically all of their attacking players flatting to deceive around the Arsenal box.
De Bruyne was quiet, as noted, Jeremy Doku did well to beat a man when he came on but did very little after getting into that good position, Jack Grealish could not unpick the lock on his return from injury and Phil Foden departed early after struggling just the same.
Erling Haaland, when there was a header to win, managed to get above his man but not direct the effort towards goal, and with Arsenal not especially focused on creating for themselves, it is quite easy to see why this ended up goalless.
So often a City goal feels inevitable, but here there was nothing of that. It is a good job Rodri was excellent.
Sam Lee
Arsenal demonstrate the art of hanging on in there
How much more serious are Arsenal?
They demonstrated the art of hanging in there. It might not have been pretty, but it was a signpost of a more seasoned Arsenal that they were able to withstand City’s early dominance and stay in the fight.
This was gloves up sparring, keeping their heavyweight opponent at arm’s length. Arsenal were determined not to fall victim to the early blow conceded as usual. It was unnerving at times, a risk, as they allowed City possession.
(Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
But – pertinently – only one clear chance. Could Arsenal have pulled off a similar strategy a year ago? Evidently not. But the maturity in their defence, the solidity that has come from being bigger and stronger, and the fitness of key personnel gives them a more robust platform. Benjamin White was dominant, Gabriel and William Saliba have the confidence to handle all sorts.
No hair down Haaland this time.
Amy Lawrence
Arsenal are still in this title race
With the game almost up the City fans who flanked the visitors from north London teased Arsenal, with a turn of phrase to suggest they would not a bean.
Maybe they won’t. Maybe they missed their chance to make the kind of statement victory which would have reverberated beyond this stadium.
But whatever develops between now and the end of the season, Arsenal’s progress is inarguable. For the first time in years they came to this venue and were not afraid. There is a steel within the group, and a calmness under pressure that stands them in good stead.
Amy Lawrence
Not a thriller in the boxes
When Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have faced up against each other this season, one particular cliche rings true.
Both managers carefully exchange moves like a game of chess, with neither of them willing to give anything away. From a tactical perspective, it can be fascinating to watch the game unfold, but from a raw entertainment perspective, the reduced goalmouth action can be make things a little less palatable.
Particularly in the context of this season’s regular Premier League goalfest, this afternoon’s clash was on attritional side of things. Arsenal failed to craft an Opta-defined big chance for only the fifth time this season — one of the remaining four including their reverse fixture against City in October. Meanwhile, City’s 12 shots were the seventh lowest of the season — not lacking in too much attacking adventure but did not craft too many clear cut chances.
The respect between the two managers on the sideline is clearly huge. Perhaps unsurprisingly, both of them were keen not to lose as much as looking for the win — which made for more of a tense spectacle than a thrilling one.
Mark Carey
What did the managers say?
We’ll bring you this after the post-match press conferences.
What next for Manchester City?
Wednesday, April 3: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, 8.15pm UK time, 3.15pm ET
What next for Arsenal?
Wednesday, April 3: Luton Town (H), Premier League, 7.30pm UK time, 2.30pm ET
