Arsenal were able to achieve one feat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday that no side has managed in the last 57 games.
Arsenal held Manchester City to a cagey 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
In a game of very few chances, Mikel Arteta’s side produced an exemplary defensive performance to keep the reigning champions at arm’s length for ninety minute. Whilst the hosts enjoyed a huge amount of possession, and much of the game was played in the Gunners’ territory, Manchester City only managed one shot on target in the entire match.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba won their tempestuous battle with Erling Haaland, as the Norwegian superstar striker was effectively marked out of the game.
How Arsenal approached Manchester City clash
The Gunners clearly went to the north west with a very specific game-plan prepared. Whilst they were willing to press Manchester City higher up the pitch, as soon as Pep Guardiola’s side were able to string a few passes together Arsenal routinely dropped back and set themselves up in a deep block, with every player behind the ball, making themselves exceptionally difficult to break down.
Whilst Gary Neville was of the opinion that Arsenal needed to win this game, in truth this was simply a fixture that the north London outfit needed to not lose. They are still in the heat of the title race, and have now taken four points off of both Manchester City and Liverpool this season.
This represents huge progress from last season, when Arsenal were comfortably beaten by the Cityzens home and away. During the run-in last season, the Gunners were dispatched 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, effectively ending their title hopes. On this occasion, they were able to contain Guardiola’s team on their own patch and come away with a positive result.
Arsenal end Man City streak
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X, Arsenal ended Manchester City’s 57-game streak of finding the back of the net at the Etihad Stadium.
This stat demonstrates how difficult it is to travel to that ground and nullify the hosts’ attacking threat. This was not a case of Manchester City missing a host of gilt-edged chances, either, but rather the Gunners making such chances incredibly difficult to fashion.
Of course, Arteta will have wanted his side to pose more of a threat in the final third themselves. Only Ben White was picked out for offering much of an attacking threat. However, he will still be delighted by how his team were able to hold their own up against Manchester City.