Arsenal 0-1 Man City: 6 points of discussion while scorers are no match for the elected class champions

Manchcester City won their 18th consecutive victory by paving the way for a 1-0 win over Arsenal in north London.

City did not waste much time at the Emiraes stadium and scored the winning goal in the first two minutes.

Pep Guardiola’s men had already warned of their intentions in the first 60 seconds, but Raheem Sterling took a wrong shot when an opportunity arose.

But the England star was not mistaken in the second round, going up to nod his precise cross from Riyad Mahrez, having found space just six meters from the goal.

City seem to be playing a different game from their Premier League rivals now, and dictated and dominated the first 20 minutes, a period in which they created opportunities to double their advantage, but lacked the finishing touch.

Gradually, Arsenal threw their way back into contention, but failed to test Ederson before the break.

Kevin de Bruyne’s return almost brought home an impudent and impudent chip to double the lead at the start of the second half, just for the Belgian’s effort to deflect Bernd Leno’s left post.

However, while City continued to offer more threat, their performance level dropped noticeably during the second period, midfield rotations and passes not as sharp as before. He was sloppy and gave Arsenal greater confidence that he could stop City’s winning streak.

Emile Smith Rowe and Alexandre Lacazette joined the fight with 17 minutes left, replacing the quiet Martin Odegaard and Nicolas Pepe, Arteta turning to his bench in search of more punches and incisions.

But City kept them at bay all the time and, finally, won another victory.

The elected champions continue to march. Here are six talking points from the Emirates …

1. Arteta’s pragmatic movement

Having been in action in the Europa League on Thursday night, Mikel Arteta made five changes to the Arsenal team that drew 1-1 with Benfica in Rome.

They face the Portuguese in Athens this week, in the second leg of the round of 16 tie and, although he does not admit it, the changes here suggested that that much more viable encounter served as the basis for their changes.

And, in fact, such is the quality and form of this City team – which was itself responsible for the changes before its return to European action this week – can you blame Arteta for taking a more pragmatic approach?

Arsenal started the game 11 points out of the top four. Yes, they want to be back in the Champions League as soon as possible, but perhaps the Europa League is their best bet.

2. Of all Arsenal defenders to be exploited, City chooses Tierney

When you see Arsenal and Kieran Tierney start as a left-back, opponents tend to focus attacks from the right side. This shows how good the Scotsman has been (when fit) since joining Celtic in 2019 and why the sides are very interested in exploring Hector Bellerin.

The city did not do this here and only left for Tierney from the beginning.

Four times in the first five minutes, sweeping diagonals went from left to right for Mahrez; each time, the Algerian was able to take him down and run to his man, with one leading to Sterling’s opening goal.

Tierney is, defensively, a kind of throwback to old-fashioned sides who, as the game develops on the opposite side, cover the blind side of their defenders.

Apparently, this is something that City realized and, as he maybe compensated and got too close to Pablo Mari, Mahrez was able to hold the width – as he does so well – and be free in space to receive the game changes.

After his recent injury, Tierney may not be fully up to date yet. Perhaps that period playing as part of a three-quarterback has had an impact never seen before in how he positions himself.

Perhaps this impact has not been seen by everyone … except Pep Guardiola.

3. De Bruyne’s back

Nothing else. No witty words needed. It’s great to see him back doing what he does best: playing football.

A solid 63 minutes under his belt on his return.

4. Arsenal’s move leads to a family problem

I wrote in early January about how Arteta had solved Arsenal’s creative problems, partly switching Bukayo Saka from left to right.

This led them from a relegation battle at Christmas – at least in the eyes of Sam Allardyce – to three consecutive victories with eight goals scored, and returned to 11th place.

Effectively, the move spread Arsenal’s threat and the ability to advance the ball on the field, rather than focusing everything on the left – because Saka and Tierney are their best players when it comes to building attacks.

So it was strange to see the pair starting in conjunction on the left again here. It was not surprising to see a family problem raise its head.

In the first 45 minutes, Saka and Tierney received 17 passes in the final third. Among them, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Martin Odegaard received just six.

Both are the main strengths of this Arsenal team individually. But when paired, it makes opponents’ lives easier, as they know it, if you stop on the left side, you practically prevent Arteta’s men from having any major attacking impact.

This meeting, particularly in that first period, only offered one more test.

5. Bernardo is back to his best

In the first two years at Etihad – with City winning consecutive titles – Bernardo Silva stood out.

Week in, week out, he was one of Guardiola’s most trusted field lieutenants, his performances never dropped below 7/10, but mostly eight or nine. He mixed his ridiculous ball-to-string talent as an absolute pressing machine.

However, last season, he had a fall. Yes, City as a collective suffered, but perhaps he suffered more than any other individual. He never really got hurt – he played 52 games last season, after 51 and 53 in the previous two years – but it just wasn’t the same.

Make no mistake, he is back at his best now. The little touches and deviations from the body, the ability to work in tight spaces and then find the ball that opens the entire game – it’s all there again.

As City advances for more national and European glory in the coming months, having the best version of Portuguese can prove crucial.

6. Ruben solid as rock

Let’s be honest here, City never really seemed to have to suffer.

They barely gave up on a chance worthy of being described as one. They kept Arsenal at bay and Ruben Dias once again stood out in defense.

What a hiring he has been, not just for his own abilities, but also for what happened next to him with John Stones.

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