The quality of opposition is a key determinant to grade teams along the lines of progress, staleness or recess. That is why Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspurs in the latest North London Derby shouldn’t offer much of a yardstick on Arsenal’s readiness to win the English Premier League title.
Yet again, Spurs delivered another “spursy” moment and fell flat at the time its biggest rival was at its weakest.
Tottenham delivered a ton of endeavor but rarely really threatened against The Gunners particularly its right side of attack where Brennan Johnson and his replacement, Wilson Odobert, failed to produce from that end of the field.
Allowing Gabriel Magalhaes a free header to score the winning goal from a corner kick was typical Tottenham Hotspurs.
However, when faced against an opponent a couple of tiers below them, Spurs rallied late to bag goals in the 88th minute through Brennan Johnson and in the 92nd minute through Djed Spence to beat Coventry City in the Carabao Cup.
As illogical and non-linear as football is, there is still room for predictability in the sport looking at what Spurs have consistently delivered over the years.
Despite missing out on the services of regular starters, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice through a combination of injury and suspension, Arsenal were there for the taking against Spurs.
Even in the dire situation the Gunners found themselves in, there was a sense of resolve over Arsenal’s chances of bagging a win; Spurs are terrible from set pieces and Ange Postecoglou’s side having a flawed system constantly by playing with a very high line against Arsenal’s fast attackers.
This played out as predicted and Arsenal, despite, being weakened by its absentees and inclusion (of several youngsters) beat Spurs.
Against defending champions Man City, Arsenal find themselves somewhat in the aforementioned position as Rice returns from suspension but Odegaard still remains unavailable. Just like Spurs at the Tottenham Stadium, there is some resolve about Arsenal’s chances of beating Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
Firstly, Man City have shown a major flaw this season as Pep Guardiola’s side continues to concede goals first and in recent games, concede early. This shaky trend for Man City commenced in the league’s curtain raiser as Man United scored first through Alejandro Garnacho before Bernardo Silva drew City even to force a penalty shootout Guardiola’s side won.
In a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town, City conceded first and did so in the seventh minute and started off on an even worse note in a 2-1 win over Brentford. Yoane Wissa scored for Brentford in the first minute before Erling Haaland’s brace saved the day for Man City.
A quick start from Arsenal could have Mikel Arteta’s men get an early goal and allied to its vaunted defensive brilliance, such a situation could put Arsenal in a brilliant position to score a massive win over Man City.
Unlike the opposing teams City have triumphed over despite conceding first and often early, Arsenal is a better defensive team and that makes things quite complicated for City’s chances of winning this tie. Dating back to the immediate past campaign, it looks and feels that Man City are not the all-conquering dominant outfit that steamrolled teams in its path some seasons ago.
Starting the 2024-2025 season as it has, emboldens this belief and while City are unbeaten this season, its clash against a top level opponent in Inter Milan had City on the ropes and Inter should have bagged a win in the revamped UEFA Champions League.
Speaking of the last campaign, Arsenal missed out on winning the league title by two points and despite dropping games to Aston Villa and West Ham, playing out a goalless draw with Man City at the Etihad was a game many felt Arsenal left points on the table y not winning that tie.
Arsenal have rebounded strongly after a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium by beating Spurs and drawing goalless with Atalanta in Italy. Playing away games at tough grounds has prepared Arsenal for this big matchup and this is the biggest chance and best time to beat Man City.
It is clear and has been clear the past two seasons that Arsenal and Man City are the biggest challengers for the title and the pair with Liverpool form the trio of teams that has separated from the rest of the EPL.
Four games into the season, Man City and Arsenal occupy the top two spots with Liverpool just three points off leaders Man City. After a coaching change, it isn’t surprising that Liverpool are already showing signs of taking a step back with Arne Slot in the dugout and not Jurgen Klopp.
While there are serious doubts over Arteta’s chances of getting past his former “Master” Pep Guardiola based on Arteta’s insistence to play like Pep, this is the best chance Arsenal have to beat Man City. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
Fail to win on Sunday and Arsenal wouldn’t need to wait late in the season to miss out on a Premier League title because that title miss would be all but certain even before City hit their stride midway through the campaign as it usually does.
While this statement sounds quite premature to make, it isn’t, considering the last campaign played out the same way after Arsenal left points on the table by failing to beat Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
