City's De Bruyne leaves Gunners without ammo for title charge

Games do not get any bigger than this. It was a Premier League matchday 33 clash which did not disappoint, pitting table-toppers Arsenal against title hopefuls Manchester City. Coming into this one, the Sky Blues knew they would have their seventh Premier League trophy within reach should they win, while Arteta's men needed the three points at all costs after letting their grip slip in recent weeks.

Right from the get-go the Citizens looked like they were on a mission, but they did initially sit back to soak up a spell of Arsenal pressure. The counter-attack was certainly their best friend for the opener, which came on the 7' minute thanks to a wonderful De Bruyne strike. After receiving a pin-point Haaland ball, the Belgian star took on what seemed like the whole of the Arsenal side before opening fire from outside the box into the bottom corner.

It looked like City had an addiction for goals after that, with Guardiola urging his side forward relentlessly. He certainly got his wishes, with Erling Haaland enjoying peppering Ramsdale's goal. Despite a few efforts on target for the Norwegian, he couldn't find the net though, with the English keeper coming to resuce. One of the Gunners' only positive points was being one of the only sides to prevent Haaland from converting off three shots.

More pain was inevitable, although, after John Stones rose the highest off a free-kick to prod home the header. After initially being ruled out, VAR adjugded the England centre-back to be onside, sending the Etihad into delirium once more.

Whatever Arteta said during half-time clearly wasn't enough to hit home what Arsenal needed to do. Less than ten minutes into the second-half Odegaard was too easily dispossessed in the midfield, with the ball falling the worst possible person for the Gunners. Haaland easily threaded through De Bruyne, the captain opened up his body before simply passing the ball under the out-stretched Ramsdale hand.

The Gunners did manage to find some urgency in the final thirty after Trossard and Jorginho's fresh legs entered the fray. The former certainly earned his money, as he teed up centre-back Rob Holding to emphatically fire one in. The ex-Brighton man weaved into the box, before his wayward touch found Holding, who fired into the open net, giving the visiting fans something to cheer about. 

The consolation clearly served as a wake-up call for the hosts, who soon got back to their possession-based game, toying with the visitors as they calmly played out the five minutes added on. City weren't going to go home with a fourth on offer though, and the striking viking Haaland got one in the final stages after easily slotting home. This goal means he has broken yet another record: he officially become the highest scorer in a 38-game Premier League season, overtaking Salah. 

This result does more than complicate hopes of Arsenal's first title since 2004, as they are now just two points ahead, having played two game more than City. The ocassion was certainly played expertly by City, who just have gained so much experience in this type of situation in recent seasons, with a seventh Premier League title on the cusp of being won.

 

April 26, 2023