3 reasons why Manchester City beat Arsenal in Wednesday’s Premier League clash
Man City beat Arsenal: Man City jumped to the top of the table this season as they beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday night in the EPL.
Strikes from De Bruyne, Grealish and Haaland got City over the lines while Saka struck for the Gunners.
Man City brush Arsenal aside to go top of the Premier League 📈 pic.twitter.com/pMHakpqDKI
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 15, 2023
This was a statement win for City in the race for the Premier League crown as they overtook the Gunners to the top with 51 points.
Arsenal has a game in hand over the reigning champions and could still restore the lead. However, we analyze the reasons why Man City beat Arsenal to make a statement in the title race.
Defensive frailties
Also read: Why Arsenal vs Man City has come at the right time in the EPL 2022-23 title race
Arsenal conceded the second least number of goals in the season (18) prior to the game. But poor mistakes from Tomiyasu and Gabriel saw them conceded 2 very important ones.
The Gunners did run City ragged in the first half before a poor back pass from the Japanese international was pounced on and finished by De Bruyne. Gabriel was the culprit for the 2nd goal as his poor pass was cut out by KDB.
🗣️ “I’ve never seen Tomiyasu make that pass back in 7 years.”
🗣️ “Now they drop points, we are there.”
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta on last night’s win for Man City against Arsenal. 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/1bTgbzQ0Zc
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 16, 2023
Once City had Arsenal on the mat at 2-1, it was only about time before the home side tired out and the visitors made it 3-1 through Haaland.
Lacking Experience
Arsenal have been the find of the season with their style of play and resolve due to which deservedly they were top of the table until last night.
However, in a contest of this magnitude they lacked experience and mental toughness.
This is where City edged them out and managed to get the important points to overtake them.
City had more experience in mid-field but weren’t to their best as well with Silva having a tough time against Saka.
Man City have won 82% of their Premier League games with Jack Grealish this season, compared to 33% when he didn’t play 👀 pic.twitter.com/F2onqf1uCr
— GOAL (@goal) February 16, 2023
After a poor first half, Man City came out in the 2nd a different side and were able to make more inroads through the Arsenal mid-field.
The visitors had the quality of steel which Arsenal lacked as table toppers.
Odegaard and Martinelli kept quiet
City knew Arsenal’s main men for this clash were the in-form, Odegaard and Martinelli.
Pep got his side to keep the Norwegian and Brazilian quiet throughout the contest as they were not able to play freely.
As the game wore on, their effect was reduced with Arsenal’s tiredness creeping in for City to take advantage.
Erling Haaland has scored 32 goals in 30 games as Manchester City player this season. 🤖🇳🇴 #MCFC
It’s also 26 goals in 22 Premier League games on his first season in England. pic.twitter.com/FDLp0V7jqi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2023
City also took the chances when offered rather than Arsenal who missed important ones. Pep’s side played with more fluency and rhythm, making the Gunners pay for the missed chances.
