Arteta laments Arsenal’s mistakes in City defeat

Arsenal ended up squandering the advantage they had over Manchester City in the Premier League at home. The Gunners had a duel in which they were better in the first half, but they paid dearly for the errors in the ball output against a rival that improved in the second stage, showing more sense of goal than the young London team. Result: 3 to 1 for the visitors.

“It’s very difficult to play at the level City demand of you. If you concede three goals and miss the great chances we had, the margin for error is practically zero”, summarized Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Pep’s former assistant. Guardiola at City.

Arsenal v City summary

Aware of what was at stake, Arsenal went after City early on. But the mistake of the Japanese Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was nervous when it came to passing the ball back to the goalkeeper, made it easier for De Bruyne, who finished with the usual to make it 1-0.

The Gunners did not accuse the hit. They kept pressing and got the prize: Edward Nketiah was brought down by the Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, when the striker had already kicked and the Dutchman Nathan Aké had taken it off the line.

Saka equalized, surpassing the goalkeeper of the Brazilian national team, who even tried to exert psychological pressure on the English striker before the kick.

But a City trademark combination ensured victory: on Bernardo Silva’s comeback, the ball sailed from right to left past Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan to Grealish, who scored with a low shot.

With the Gunners on their knees, it was Haaland’s turn, who finished a well-architected play in which he received from his usual partner Kevin De Bruyne.

Arsenal now need to come back after three defeats and a draw in their last four games if they are to retain their hopes of winning their first Premier League title for 19 years.