Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal had gone into the Sunday’s league game with Manchester City knowing that a win will keep them within catching distance of Chelsea who are the league leaders. Following the outcome of the game it is crystal clear that Arsenal are a long way to the title, hence making it imperative that unless performances pick up , they Gunners fans will have to wait another year before winning the same title that has eluded them for 12 years now.
Although Arsenal had gone ahead through a Theo Walcott well crafted goal in the first half, Manchester City were the better side all evening despite missing the services of Sergio Aguero (scored 10 goals in the league this season) and top defensive midfielder Fernandinho both of whom were suspended. With goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, Pep Guardiola compounded Arsene Wenger’s misery making it the 13th time the Frenchman had failed to win in his visit to Manchester. As if that wasn’t enough, Wenger has only being able to beat the former Barcelona manager twice in their last 10 meetings if this game is included.
City on their own have had their struggles which Arsenal should have exploited with City having won only six times in 16 games across all competitions coming into the game which is a bad record when compared to the 100% record in their first 10 games in all competitions at the start of the season. Against City, Arsenal were the weaker side and deserved the loss with the scoreline unfair to Guardiola’s side who were in control all evening. Pep Guardiola’s side were so ruthless on the day that Mesut Ozil who has been Arsenal’s star player cut a frustrated figure all evening , unable to complete passes and playing like he wasn’t interested in the game . City bossed possession having 59% to Arsenal’s 41%, as well as having 14 shots to Arsenal’s six. It did not end there as City had six shot on target to Arsenal’s one coupled with City’s eight corner kicks with Arsenal accounting for one. The main problem for Wenger is not that City were so impressive rather the problem is that just like his Arsenal team of old, the present team lack the steel and experience needed to win any trophy , considering they have lost 2-1 twice in four days despite going one goal ahead in the first half. Looking back one will be tempted to doubt history which clearly favoured Arsenal before kick-off considering the Gunners were unbeaten in their last six matches with City.
It surely looks like a mirage comparing the Arsenal side in the month of October to this present side, considering Arsenal’s 3-0 white wash of present leaders Chelsea at the Emirates as well as going 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions before the usual calamity that befall them in December instead of the usual November.
Though it is still too early to predict, Arsenal are a long way to the title having gone eight games now without keeping a clean sheet which is Petr Cech’s worst Premier League career run as well as being nine points behind Chelsea and occupying 4th position, one point ahead of rivals Tottenham and two ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United who on the opposite have recorded three straight wins.
Stats powered by Opta.
Comments
Post a Comment