Didn't I tell you? I said City would win and City won. I said they were more motivated, more hungry, more ready and from the moment they were in that huddle before kickoff it showed. If City were clinical it could have easily been a thrashing, a 5-2, maybe more, because they missed some big chances. Arsenal had one clear opportunity that Havertz missed and there was that moment when Eze chose to shoot instead of playing the simple ball. That was Arsenal's game in a nutshell really.
City had five shots on target. Arsenal had two. That tells you everything.
And look, I will give Arsenal credit where it is due. By their standards, by the boring snoozefest standard they have set under Arteta, they actually tried. They played with some intensity, some purpose, and I genuinely enjoyed watching them for long spells. But City were on top from the first whistle and Arsenal never really looked like they could do anything about it.
Now here is where I am going to say something and I want you to really think about it. You just can not compare these two clubs right now. Not even close. In January City went out and strengthened. They added Guehi. They added Semenyo. They looked at their squad and said we need more and they went and got it. Arsenal? They sent Ethan Nwaneri on loan. Does that not tell you something about where the two clubs are mentally right now?
City have completely changed their style of play as well. Gone is the boring possession football people used to fall asleep watching. This City team is refreshing, attacking, genuinely exciting. And it is the same old Arsenal under Arteta. The same defensive caution, the same building without ever quite getting there. They have Gyokeres now who looks like a shell of himself in this system. A striker of his quality looking lost. That is on the manager.
Look at the recruitment as well and I am sorry but this needs to be said. City paid a certain amount for Cherki who in my opinion is the best player in the Premier League this season. Arsenal paid double that amount for Madueke. Double. Make that make sense. And Havertz, nobody wanted Havertz, and Arsenal paid a huge fee for him. The recruitment has been questionable for a long time now and nobody wants to say it out loud but it is true.
Arsenal need someone who is not afraid. Someone who will go toe to toe with Pep and not blink. The name that comes to mind for me is Klopp. Now I am not saying Klopp was some tactical genius because he was not. But he was fearless. He wore his heart on his sleeve and it transferred to his players. With a squad that on paper was nowhere near City's level he was challenging them every season and playing some of the most breathtaking football you will ever see. Arsenal have the budget, they have the players, they just need someone who will set them free.
And one more thing. I keep seeing United content creators saying they would gladly swap their club for Arsenal. Consistently finishing second, building, investing. Are you sure about that? Because from where I am standing Arsenal are consistently investing money, consistently adding players, consistently finishing second and consistently playing some of the most boring football in the league with nothing to show for it at the end. Players will leave if they do not see trophies. All that building has to lead somewhere eventually.
In their last five games across all competitions Arsenal have lost three, drawn one and won one. That is the team people are backing to win the Premier League. You can back them if you want. I am not.
City's league to lose. And right now it does not look like they are planning on losing it.
Let me know your thoughts.