Arsenal produced an excellent defensive display to secure a well-earned clean sheet against Man City on Sunday afternoon at The Etihad – keeping themselves firmly in the mix for the Premier League title.
Both sides will have seen Liverpool go top of the table on Sunday afternoon, after they won 2-1 against Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton – despite going 1-0 down to Danny Welbeck’s early goal for The Seagulls.
Then, Arsenal and Coty did battle at The etihad. A game that was largely cagey, with both sides boasting chances to break the deadlock. But neither could, as the defences held firm – Arsenal stopping City.
In fact it was Arsenal that probably had the better chances, Gabriel Jesus inches away from prodding the Gunners ahead in the second half. Leandro Trossard needed to get his head up and find Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal defence praised in 0-0 draw at Manchester City
But it was a game that was void of any real quality – or the kind of quality we have come to expect from these two all-conquering sides in recent years. Gary Neville gave William Saliba the man of the match.
In his podcast after the match, Neville labelled Saliba as a “giant” – praising the defence. Martin Odegaard described the defender as “brilliant” after the draw, a result that keeps the league title race in the balance.
Meanwhile, BBC pundit Garth Crooks heaped praise on Saliba in his Team of the Week column. He said the Arsenal man often “goes unnoticed” in matches – not because he goes missing, but the opposite.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a more disciplined or professional defensive performance from an Arsenal team for years. No dramas from Granit Xhaka or incidents that were likely to enrage the home fans,” Crooks said.
“Saliba goes through games almost unnoticed until you realise very little has actually got past him. This time last year he got injured, Arsenal paid the price. The Gunners are in with a real chance. All to play for.”
Saliba shines again for Arsenal… his states this term are incredible
The Frenchman has played 39 times for The Gunners, clocking up a huge 16 clean sheets in league and cup. An incredible tally, given the Gunners are playing in the Champions League, too. Crooks is right.
If Arsenal are going to do anything this season, keeping Saliba fit is absolutely fudamental to any title chase they can put together. A long way from the outcast that was loaned out by Arsenal to Marseille.
He is now a crucial part of the side, a first name on the team sheet under Arteta. He stays fit, like a few others, and Arsenal have a real chance of lifting the Premier League trophy come the end of May.
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