Arsenal break Man City curse: Can their momentum lead to a historic title win?
Arsenal finally ended their abysmal losing streak against treble winners Manchester City, with Gabriel Martinelli’s late strike earning the Gunners a hard-fought 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.
The momentous victory put an end to Arsenal’s dismal run against the treble winners, having gone 15 Premier League games without success over Man City, losing the last 12 in a row.
Mikel Arteta, who had never clinched a Premier League victory against his mentor Pep Guardiola, orchestrated a tactical masterpiece that proved Arsenal’s undeniable improvement under his leadership.
The Gunners began the mouth-watering fixture without a couple of key players, including Martinelli and Bukayo Saka due to lingering injury concerns.
Saka’s absence was particularly notable, as he had been a prominent member of the starting XI in Arsenal’s last 87 Premier League games – a club record for consecutive appearances in the division.
Arsenal’s ability to oust Man City without their talismanic winger further emphasises their evident improvement under Arteta’s guidance, and you can buy Arsenal tickets at Seatsnet.com to get all the live action from the Gunners for the remainder of the season.
Arteta’s side managed to tame the prolific Man City, ensuring victory over the Cityzens without conceding for the first time since April 2012 when the gaffer himself bagged the matchwinner.
William Saliba played a major role in helping Arsenal achieve the remarkable feat, expertly marshalling their Norwegian goal machine Erling Braut Haaland.
The 23-year-old marksman who took the Premier League and Europe by storm last season, bagging 52 goals in 53 appearances, failed to muster a shot on target against the Gunners.
Resolute defending from Arteta’s side stifled Man City’s attacking prowess, limiting the Cityzens to just four shots – the fewest they have recorded in a match under Guardiola’s leadership.
Arsenal have improved in leaps and bounds since suffering a 4-1 drubbing against Man City at the Etihad Stadium during the latter stages of last season – a defeat that put the final nail in their title hopes.
They eventually lost out in the title race by a five-point gap but have begun the new season with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, resuming their hunt for a first league triumph since the days of Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal head into the international break as one of only two sides yet to suffer defeat in the Premier League, alongside North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have also emerged as an unlikely candidate for the title.
But their early season form seems all too familiar, with the Gunners embarking on a similar run of form last term before ultimately falling at the final hurdle.
While Arsenal’s early season form offers plenty to be excited about – especially after the win over Man City – the fans will be wise to express cautious optimism about their title chances, given last term’s late stumble.
Arsenal have gone eight games without defeat after facing three sides that finished in the top ten last season, and their victory over Man City is undoubtedly a statement to the rest of the division.
However, whether or not they can maintain their momentum and finally see out their title bid is a question only time will answer.
Arsenal’s resurgence fuels title ambitions – Can they finally go all the way?
Arsenal’s resurgence in the Premier League is no longer an anomaly but a resounding statement of intent, with the Man City win marking a significant milestone in their campaign.
Last season, they underwent a remarkable transformation that nearly saw them clinch the Premier League title, but Man City flexed their muscles to overpower Arteta’s naive Gunners.
After their untimely stumble, doubts have rightly lingered about their ability to maintain momentum, but their current form suggests they’re gearing up for a potentially historic campaign.
Their Europa League exit last season exposed their vulnerability, particularly due to injuries, notably to their ‘Rolls Royce’ centre-back, Saliba.
In response, the Gunners invested over £200 million during the summer, reinforcing their squad with the arrivals of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya.
However, the campaign hasn’t been without challenges. Timber remains sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Havertz has struggled to find his form, confidence and consistency.
Arsenal have found a silver lining in Rice’s exceptional form this season, with the English midfielder emerging as one of the top summer signings.
His form will be a welcome development for Arsenal, considering he cost more than half of their total summer expenditure – but his impressive performances justify the significant investment.
Raya has also been impressive, managing three clean sheets in four Premier League outings, although he looked particularly shaky against Man City.
After seven games in the 2023/24 campaign, Arsenal were one of just two teams still unbeaten in the Premier League, with six wins and two draws.
Their promising start mirrors their performance from last season, where they led the league with 18 points after seven matches, one point ahead of Man City.
A run of ten wins and two draws over the next 12 games propelled Arsenal to a five-point lead at the Premier League summit, although they were ultimately overtaken by Man City.
The roles were reversed this season, with Man City leading the Premier League with 18 points – one ahead of Arsenal with 17 – but the massive win over the defending champions has propelled the Gunners forward.
Sitting second in the Premier League, level on points with local rivals Tottenham and two points ahead of Man City, Arsenal head into the international break with their sights set on a historic campaign – one that could finally end their title drought.
Verdict
Man City’s recent back-to-back Premier League defeats have left them looking vulnerable – a rare sight since they lost consecutive games against Crystal Palace and Leicester City in December 2018.
The absence of key players, most notably Kevin De Bruyne, has taken a toll. However, Arsenal would be unwise to become complacent, as Man City have shown their ability to bounce back from setbacks before.
Back in 2018, Guardiola’s side bounced back from consecutive defeats to win the Premier League, securing victory in 18 of their remaining 19 games.
The international break offers Arsenal a chance to regroup and welcome some key players who have been sidelined due to injuries back into the fold.
However, the jam-packed schedule leading up to Christmas will be crucial for the Gunners and could have a significant impact on their campaign.
Arsenal must maintain their recent run of form if they are to remain in contention for the title and prepare fringe players for the inevitable role they will play with injuries likely to be prominent amidst the hectic schedule.
Players like Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson, and Emile Smith Rowe need to be ready to step up when called upon to ensure Arsenal’s title challenge remains on track.
