Football: Arsenal resists Manchester City, Liverpool takes back control of the championship
Manchester City and Arsenal went back to back (0-0) at the end of the already decisive clash for the English championship title, on Sunday March 31. A result that suits Liverpool, the new Premier League leader at the end of this 30th day.
England's Bukayo Saka duels with Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne during the match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, March 31, 2024. © Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
By: Valentin Berg Follow
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The final sprint is launched in the Premier League and the suspense promises to be total until the end of the season. After Liverpool's victory against Brighton (2-1) earlier in the afternoon this Sunday March 31, Manchester City and Arsenal parted with a result (0-0) which does not suit anyone, if These are Jürgen Klopp's men.
Neck and neck at the top of the rankings with only a small point difference, Arsenal and Manchester City faced each other in a clash that was already decisive for the title of champion of England, this Sunday March 31 at the Etihad Stadium. After losing ground last year at the same time, the Gunners intended to improve their lead over City this time and come closer than ever to a first league title since 2004. The Cityzens, for their part, can still win a fourth coronation in a row, a feat never before achieved in England.
Already falling to Manchester City twice this season – during the Community Shield in August then in the league in October – Arsenal remained on eight consecutive victories in the Premier League while Manchester City had not experienced defeat in 22 matches in all competitions. A shock which therefore already sounded like a final between the two colossi of this second part of the season.
The Gunners defense bends but does not break
If the confrontation started at a brisk pace between the two teams, the first period mainly turned into a tactical battle between the Cityzens who monopolized the ball without offensive inspiration and the disciplined and intractable Gunners in defense. The first clear opportunity came from a header from Nathan Aké just in front of David Raya's goal (15th), but the Spanish goalkeeper was able to catch the ball on his line. A few minutes later, Gabriel Jesus threw Kai Havertz into the Mancunian area but the German striker was too short to regain the ball in front of Ortega Moreno (25th).
Still in control of the ball but completely neutralized by the Londoners, Pep Guardiola's players had to wait until the first minutes of the restart to obtain another clear opportunity, with a curled ball from Kovačić which crashed right next to the goal. Raya (47th). The Gunners were also dangerous, notably on a ball slipped by Saka in the area which Jesus was unable to push into the back of the net (52nd).
City spared no effort but never found a solution against the opposing defensive block, like this sequence at the entrance to the Arsenal area (69th). Jérémy Doku was restless from the moment he entered but he made a mistake in the final meters, first with a completely unscrewed shot (77th) then with an equally missed shot at the far post (82nd). In the process, Haaland missed the match point in front of Raya on a ball that was flying towards the left post (83rd).
Left empty-handed on their own, City and Arsenal must now aim for a flawless performance and hope for a misstep from Liverpool to get back into the lead. But the Cityzens will have to deal with a very busy schedule and matches against Aston Villa, Brighton and even Tottenham, while crossing paths with Real Madrid in the Champions League in April. For their part, the Gunners will face another heavyweight, Bayern Munich, on the European scene but will be able to count on a slightly more lenient program in England.
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