Manchester City too good for ‘lucky’ Arsenal

Arsene Wenger might have blasted the match officials following Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday, but the Gunners boss must know that his side were ultimately outplayed by their hosts at the Etihad Stadium.

An early goal from Theo Walcott gave the visiting side the lead at the break, but Pep Guardiola’s men hit back two minutes into the second half through Leroy Sane as the guests wilted. Nineteen minutes from time, Raheem Sterling converted a pass from Kevin De Bruyne to keep City within seven points of runaway leaders Chelsea.

During the first half, the hosts might have struggled, but they dominated the second period to such a degree it would be churlish to suggest that they were not worthy of maximum points.

Certainly, this was a match that City statistically dominated.

As one would expect of a Guardiola side, they controlled a great deal of possession over the course of the match – 61 per cent – and attempted more than 50% as many passes as their visitors. 

Additionally, they comprehensively dominated territory. Very little of the match was played in the third of the field closest to City’s goal, with the home side spending 31% of the time they had the ball close to the visiting net. By contrast, Arsenal’s statistic was a mere 13% in this regard.

This control of the field is also displayed by the number of corners the home side won in comparison to their opponents (8-1), but the starkest truth is uncovered by the shooting chart.

Over the course of the match, Wenger saw his side mustered just one shot on goal – Walcott’s successful effort after five minutes. Of their five other efforts, three came from significantly outside the box and not one proved to be a serious threat to goal. 

Guardiola branded the guests “lucky” to be ahead at the break, and the numbers would tend to back up the Spaniard’s claim.

By contrast, City were a good deal more dangerous. In total, they had 12 attempts on goal, and even if only five of these made it to Petr Cech, a number had the goalkeeper worried. Ultimately, the sheer weight of pressure told as Arsenal failed to clear their box sufficiently at the back or pose the necessary problems at the other end.

It was the Gunners’ first defeat in seven against the Etihad side, but it is a loss that is costly; nine points off the top of the standings, suddenly a serious tilt at the title looks very distant.