Written by Arsenal met Manchester City in another game of the English Premier League. This is the game that was going to determine if Arsenal was going to keep its position or Manchester City was going to take over because of the superior goal difference.
Unfortunately Arsenal lost their first Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium this season. Goals from Kevin Debruyne, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and a consolation from Bukayo Saka saw Arsenal lose 3-1 to the defending Champions.
There are grave mistakes that the Gunners did that led to the lose. The first goal that was scorwd by Kevin Debruyne was a sweet gift that was given to him by Takehiro Tomiyasu. He wanted to give Aaron Ramsdale a back pass but forgot that the Manchester City forward players are lethal.
Playing from the back really cost Arsenal. All the three goals were as a result of trying to take the ball back and build the game from the back. This is a system that did not work well with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola understood the assignment and he prepared his players psychologically.
The Manchester City forward players occupied the spaces that were left when playing from the back and they punished Arsenal severely in their own homeground. Mikel Arteta also did not learn from that and he continued with that game plan despite the fact that he knows Manchester City in and out.
Another evident mistake was going with almost a similar squad for that match despite the fact that some of the players were looking tired and fatigued. It was evident that the centre backs were really tired and especially William Saliba. The Manager could have reshuffled his squad and give players who have got few minutes to also show what they can do.
He ought to have even started with Leandro Trossard so that Gabriel Martinelli can also get some rest. The fatigue was visible and this will be very difficult for the Gunners going forward with only some few matches to play.