In what was billed as a season-defining showdown from the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City and Arsenal settled for what was a largely uneventful 0-0 stalemate.
While Sunday’s assembly may need been pencilled in as an actual title six-pointer, neither facet managed to search out a lot fluidity within the remaining third and possibilities got here at an actual premium right here.
Watching Liverpool clinch a turnaround 2-1 victory in opposition to Brighton simply minutes earlier than Sunday’s showdown obtained underway, each camps respectively missed out on the prospect to climb to the highest of the Premier League desk.
Although Pep Guardola’s defending champions may need dominated possession for big spells on house soil, it can definitely be Arsenal who really feel that they got here out as a slight winner right here.
With all eyes falling on the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, we have now taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors from the blue half of Manchester.
City miss their likelihood to make a season-defining assertion
While Guardiola may need been greater than conscious that his facet confronted a stern examination right here, Manchester City will definitely really feel that they missed out on the prospect to say what may have been a season-defining victory.
Although Guardiola’s males may need made actual historical past final season as they obtained their palms on a maiden Champions League crown, the previous Barcelona boss has an actual home tussle on his palms over the ultimate couple of months.
Dropping factors away at Anfield previous to March’s worldwide break, the Sky Blues would have been upset by a largely toothless efficiency on house soil.
Only registering a single shot on track right here, Man City additionally noticed their 57-game objective streak on the Etihad come to an abrupt finish on Sunday afternoon.
While the reigning Premier League champions may need demonstrated final season that they will mount a dominant cost to the end line, their bid to make extra home historical past appears to be like set to be taking place to the wire.
A level that Arsenal would have taken
Although the Gunners may need watched their outstanding Premier League profitable run come to an finish right here, there isn’t a doubt that many Arsenal followers would have snatched at some extent had it been provided earlier than kick-off.
While Mikel Arteta’s younger squad may need suffered title frustration final season as they missed out on the prospect to get their palms on a primary Premier League crown since 2004, Sunday’s visitors have continued to shine this time round.
Punching a Champions League quarter-final ticket previous to March’s worldwide break and with a heavyweight showdown in opposition to German giants Bayern Munich approaching on the horizon, Arsenal ought to discover the temper of their camp at a continued excessive.
Cutting off the availability line to Erling Haaland right here and probably not below a lot sustained stress in their very own penalty field, Arteta might be excited by his facet’s rugged performances on the again.
Despite gaining a fearsome repute for his or her free-scoring shows since opening the New Year, the Gunners have conceded only a single objective from any of their earlier 4 outings.
Liverpool get their dream afternoon
While all of Sunday’s consideration may need been stolen by proceedings on the Etihad, it’s Liverpool who lead the chase on the prime of the Premier League desk.
Laying down a marker simply minutes earlier than Sunday’s showdown in Manchester obtained underway as they clinched a comeback 2-1 victory in opposition to Brighton, Jurgen Klopp’s males have definitely accomplished a dream return from March’s worldwide break.
With each fan within the crimson half of Merseyside watching on and praying that each of their title rivals would drop a pair of essential factors, it’s Liverpool who’re definitely the true winners following Sunday’s 0-0 stalemate on the Etihad.
With Jurgen Klopp shockingly asserting his Anfield retirement plans again in January, the previous Borussia Dortmund boss is determined to log off his iconic nine-year stick with one other Premier League crown.
Although each Man City and Arsenal would possibly nonetheless be tipped by many as the 2 main contenders over the ultimate couple of months, Liverpool have continued to indicate that they aren’t letting up.
Match Report
Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Kovacic, Foden, Haaland
Subs: Doku, Lewis, Grealish
Arsenal: Raya, White, Gabriel, Saliva, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Jesus
Subs: Trossard, Tomiyasu, Partey, Martinelli
Goals: N/A
Yellow Cards: Raya, Jesus
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor
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