On a rainy Wednesday night at the Etihad, Arsenal suffered their seventh consecutive league defeat to Manchester City in a one-sided 3 nil loss.
From kickoff, Manchester City looked a team on a mission. Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling continually kept the Gunners full-backs alert and busy, while Kevin De Bruyne was all over the place, dishing sublime defence-splitting passes to the City attackers.
Arsenal were hit with two early injuries, forcing Granit Xhaka to make way for Dani Ceballos in the eight-minute while David Luiz replaced Pablo Mari in the 24th minute.
Bernard Leno especially had a busy day at the office. He made two crucial first-half saves, denying Riyad Mahrez, who was through on goal and David Silva, who drilled a low one from inside the six-yard box.
Headed for half time goalless, Arsenal proved a tough nut to crack, then David Luiz happened.
Raheem Sterling pounced on a defensive error by the Brazilian, landing the breakthrough strike in extra time of the first half. This was Sterling’s first goal in 10 appearances for the club since their 3-2 loss to Wolves in December.
The second half brought no change to the flow of the game as City continued to dominate the game.
Their persistent attacking display was rewarded with a penalty in the 49th minute after David Luiz saw red for fouling Riyad Mahrez in the box. Kevin De Bruyne stepped up and coolly slotted home his ninth goal of the season.
Phil Foden rounded the game off and made it three in the 91st minute, rebounding home Aguero’s attempt that bounced off the woodwork and finishing a move he started.
Arteta might have raised a few eyebrows with his team selection. With Nicolas Pépé, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette all on the bench, a front three of Aubameyang, Eddie Nkeitah and Bukayo Saka offered no attacking threat.
Introducing of Lacazette and Reiss Nelson brought no desired change or firepower either.
The Gunners never looked capable of springing anything meaningful in the match and would ultimately finish the game with no shot on target.
A face-off between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, the teacher versus the apprentice, it is no surprise to see the teacher show the student the ropes and City come out victorious.
With Arsenal set to go against Brighton next, we hope the Mikel Arteta took notes from his preceptor and deliver a more noteworthy performance.
