Down and out, or a performance that inspires belief?

Arsenal found a route to the Champions League semi final in the week, which ensured everything was still on track in Europe. However, domestically, things had fallen apart. Elimination from the FA Cup, a defeat in the EFL Cup final to Manchester City and a loss to Bournemouth had thrown the season into disarray. However, the Gunners had a chance to redeem themselves when they travelled to the Etihad on Sunday.

First Half

City got off to a flying start, but mainly due to an error from David Raya. After a few passes around the back, Raya took a heavy touch that Haaland almost pounced on. The keeper managed to smash it away, but City smelt blood from that point. They immediately came again. Rayan Cherki was slid in and thumped an effort towards goal. Gabriel leaned into it with his arm, but it thankfully brushed off the top of his sleeve and onto the post far post. Arsenal weren’t about the let City dominate proceedings. Cristian Mosquera popped up with a header, from a corner, but it sailed wide of the post. However, City managed to break the deadlock after about 15 minutes. Rayan Cherki danced his way beyond a few tackles and caressed the ball into the bottom corner. It felt as though that was the moment City needed to end the tie, but just two minutes later, Arsenal had their equaliser. Kai Havertz pressed Gianluigi Donnarumma and forced the Italian into smashing the ball against him. The ricochet flew into the open net. The home side controlled possession from then on, but couldn’t really find that killer chance. Marc Guehi’s tame header towards Raya was the pick of the bunch. Just before we reached half time, Antoine Semenyo was slipped in by Cherki. However, Piero Hincapie threw his body on the line to make the all important block. That was it for the first half.

Second Half

Once again, the Citizens began the half with more vigour than the away side. A corner was swung in and initially dealt with. But, Gabriel Martinelli couldn’t clear his lines and Abdoukodir Khusanov smashed an effort against a defender. The deflection spun into Erling Haaland’s path who smacked the outside of the post from close range. With the wind in their sails, Pep Guardiola’s men came again. Jeremy Doku picked Eberechi Eze’s pocket and eventually directed an effort towards the goal. However, it was an easy save for Raya. The game seemed to have tilted in City’s favour and it felt like it was a matter of time before they found the winner. Martin Odegaard almost ripped up the script. The North London side turned over possession on the half way line and were presented with chance to counter. Declan Rice found Odegaard’s run who the spotted Havertz moving ahead of him. The Norwegian poked the ball through and left the German one-on-one with Donnarumma, but the latter produced a huge save to keep the scores level. The follow up was also kept out after Martinelli and Odegaard both swung a boot at the loose ball. Mikel Arteta’s men, energised by that chance, found themselves in another position of promise. Eze shifted his feet, on the edge of the box, and curved an effort around the big Italian keeper. But, the former Crystal Palace player, had to watch his attempt deflect off the post and across the face of the goal. No one was close enough to follow in. As with any game of this magnitude, you have to take your chances otherwise you leave yourself open for disappointment.

That’s exactly what happened five minutes later. Nico O’Reilly found himself in acres of space moving up the left channel of the pitch. He slipped the ball into Doku who then supplied him with another pass to create a crossing opportunity. The ball travelled through a sea of legs before it eventually reached Haaland’s. He had no problem shrugging off Gabriel to give himself the extra yard needed to apply the finish. It seemed like that goal would finish off Arsenal, and it did for a little while. City swung in a number of corners, but without much danger attached. The next best chance actually fell to Arsenal. A free kick was delivered into the box where Gabriel rose highest to direct a header towards the bottom corner. Agonisingly, it struck the post once again. Havertz’s follow up was blocked by O’Reilly. The expectation was that the Gunners would elevate their performance from here, but it was Pep’s men that resumed control. It was all about killing momentum and riling up their opponents. Gabriel being the one that allowed his emotions to get the better of him. Haaland and Gabriel faced off with the latter throwing his head in Haaland’s direction. The Norwegian striker didn’t flinch and that’s what saved the Brazilian from a red card. In my opinion, it should’ve been a red. After a series of substitutions, the Gunners finally ramped up the pressure. It culminated in a chance for Havertz to rescue a point deep into injury time. Leandro Trossard’s pinpoint cross was met by the head of the German who sent a powerful effort towards goal. However, it had too much lift on it and the ball sailed just over the bar. In the end it was a free header that should’ve ended up on target at the very least. Despite Arsenal’s efforts, that was it. 2-1 City.

Statistics

The statistics do suggest that it was a balanced game. City controlled possession, but Arsenal did have slightly better chances. Arsenal had 9 shots with 3 on target. This created an xG of 1.62 with 5 big chances created. City had 15 shots and 5 of those were on target. This generated an xG of 1.36, creating 5 big chances in the process.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Raya – 4 – While he couldn’t do much for the goals, I think he set the tone for the match. That mistake in the first few minutes gave City a psychological lift, knowing that we weren’t likely up to the task.

Mosquera – 5 – I think he did well-ish. Doku had some joy down his side, but I’d say that Mosquera reduced his impact. However, he wasn’t effective going forward despite coming close with a header.

Saliba – 7 – He was the most composed and assured out of all the defenders. He put Gabriel to shame in terms of how he dealt with Haaland. It was a tussle, but Saliba got his own way a few times.

Gabriel – 3 – Failed to deal with Haaland for his goal, the striker just wanted it more. The confrontation between the two led to what should’ve been a red card. One of our most senior figures, losing his head in a game like that. Awful.

Hincapie – 4 – Maybe I’m being too harsh, as he largely dealt with Semenyo and provided a crucial goal-saving block. However, his ball work was terrible. Constantly giving possession away. I appreciate his hunger to do well, but we needed real quality.

Zubimendi – 5 – He was a nuisance for City, but ultimately they did bypass him more than he stopped any attacks.

Rice – 6 – Defensively I can’t really complain. Going forward is a different story. When we needed someone to explode past the City press, he was rarely there. A lot of what he tried didn’t come off.

Odegaard – 6 – The reason why we seemed to press City better than last time was because Odegaard was leading it. As much as I criticise him for various things, I cannot fault the way he presses. It’s relentless and clever. However, I wanted him to get more stuck in. It’s a huge game, I want to see our captain bloodied and bruised walking off the pitch. If I’m being very critical, I think the ball to Havertz was overcooked.

Madueke – 3 – Not it, not for me. He lines up the ball like Doku does, but the City winger is so much more devastating. To the point where I can’t really remember a moment where Madueke came out on top in a situation.

Havertz – 7 – A real mixed bag of a performance. Let us down with two huge chances, but we don’t get our equaliser without his effort. We also don’t keep the ball in their half long enough to disrupt their rhythm. He consistently won the first header, but the players around him didn’t react to the second ball.

Eze – 8 (MOTM) – You can criticise his work rate or his tracking back, whatever, but you can’t fault how much better we look when he’s on the pitch. We genuinely looked like a team capable of hurting City. His ball retention and desire to work a few yards for himself clears anyone in the team. The worst decision Arteta made was bringing him off.

Subs

Martinelli – 3 – Contributed to their second goal by failing to pick up O’Reilly’s run while pressing. The contribution that we actually needed from him never came.

Trossard – 5 – I wouldn’t have brought Trossard on for Eze, but I wouldn’t have minded him coming on for someone else. I think he brought a bit more quality in the final third. The cross for Havertz’s chance was a thing of beauty, it deserved an assist.

White – 5 – He done okay. Overlapped a few times and gave that right flank a tad more security.

Gyokeres – 2 – You’re the main striker and your team are chasing a goal, yet you can’t even position yourself correctly for a touch. A mere touch of the ball, let alone a shot. Awful.

Summary

I expected a loss and that’s what happened. Out of context, we played pretty well. City were always going to dominate possession, but we had numerous chances. I don’t think the home side rained shots down upon us, which leaves me thinking that maybe we do have it in us to give the rest of the season our best shot. Five league games and potentially three Champions League games, minimum two. That’s eight games split between a pretty big squad. They have a week off now, which will hopefully see the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka integrate back into the team. We need everyone and some players will have to push through that pain barrier. If we can enter these last eight games with just Mikel Merino out, then I think we stand a huge chance of winning our last five league games and getting past Atletico Madrid. The players can’t let their heads drop and neither can the fans, they need us.

Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle

This is based on who we currently have available, so my prediction will change as the week goes on. I think that City game is the blueprint for success for the rest of the campaign. There would be some personnel tweaks based on who’s available. Calafiori to come in for Hincapie, Timber to come in for Mosquera and Saka to come in for Madueke. But, the principal is that the technical floor is raised with this side. When it’s Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli leading the line, those are players that aren’t comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces. Havertz, Odegaard and Eze flourish in those quick exchanges. If I’m being fussy then I’d want to Rice to start sitting in that ‘6’ role and letting Zubimendi wander. Newcastle are a huge threat, even in a bad season, so we need to bring it all. Let’s get it!