What did we learn from Manchester City vs Arsenal?


Aubameyang

After a humiliating defeat at the Etihad, what did we learn from Manchester City vs Arsenal?

By Oli Dickson Jefford

After back-to-back league losses to Brentford and Chelsea, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta would have been praying for an improved performance and result this weekend.

That was always going to be tough against Manchester City, but things were even more dire than anyone could have predicted.

Pep Guardiola’s side were 3-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus – while Granit Xhaka was handed a straight red card in the 35th minute.

And second-half strikes from Rodri and Torres compounded Arsenal’s misery as the Citizens secured a dominant 5-0 win at the Etihad.

With Arsenal losing their opening three league games for the first time since 1954, things are looking incredibly bleak.

So with growing pressure on all at the club, what did we learn from Saturday’s match?

More investment is needed

Arsenal were exposed in all areas at the Etihad and this is certainly a side far from perfection.
It has been a busy transfer window for the Gunners with five signings, but how successful those signings will be remains to be seen.

Aaron Ramsdale, signed for £25m plus add ons, looks set to be just the second-choice keeper while Ben White still needs time to settle on his return after his £50m move.

The signings of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Martin Odegaard may be more encouraging but there is little doubt that more squad strength is needed.

A proven goalscorer and more experienced defenders and midfielders would be more than welcome with fans.

Creativity is lacking

Arsenal rarely looked like scoring on Saturday.

Creativity has been an issue in all three league matches so far, with either chances not being created or no one clinical enough to convert chances when they are made.

The likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka are undoubtedly quality players but nothing seems to be clicking for them at the moment.

There are notable issues elsewhere, and the failure to score a goal in the Premier League this season is striking.

If that issue isn’t addressed or there isn’t a change in fortune, the club’s struggles will continue for a while yet.



Xhaka remains a liability (at times)

You could ask 100 Arsenal fans for their opinion on Xhaka, and you would probably get 100 different answers. 

No one divides opinion quite like the Swiss and though his ability is unquestionable, he has cost Arsenal before and certainly did today.

It was already 2-0 when he was sent off for a lunging tackle and you could argue a comeback was already unlikely, but his red card meant the game was virtually over after just 35 minutes.

Statistics suggest that the side are better when Xhaka plays and he certainly has more experience than the rest of the team.

However after another calamitous incident against Man City, his position at the club will be under even further scrutiny. 

Arteta running out of ideas

Pressure has been growing on Arteta’s shoulders for some time and will continue to linger like a dark cloud over his head after a 5-0 defeat.

On Saturday there was little sign of inspiration from the bench, with the manager seemingly resigned to a heavy defeat as soon as City took an early lead.

Many questioned when he was first appointed whether he was the right man for the job, with no experience of first-team management.

And, after less than two years, the Spaniard’s time at the club could well be coming to an end if he can’t turn things around shortly.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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