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Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City: 3 talking points as Gunners fail to end City’s streak

By Megan Garbutt

Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva runs away from Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva runs away from Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Pep Guardiola’s side made it 18 wins in a row at the Emirates against an Arsenal side who lacked intensity and passion and some questionable choices in the starting line-up could be one thing that let Arsenal down this afternoon.

Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game two minutes in when Rob Holding failed to mark the winger and battle for the ball in the air, allowing the 26-year old to header the ball comfortably into the back of the net.

The rest of the game consisted of back and forth counter attacks from both sides, with Arsenal growing into the game more in the second-half following a slow start.

The closest chance of the second half came when João Cancelo curled the ball from the edge of the box, but the ball went just wide of the post and the soon-to-be champions went away with the three points and another clean sheet.

Here are my talking points that I’ve taken away from the game…

1. Slow starts cost Arsenal

It’s happened too much this season, where Arsenal start off on the back-foot and usually get punished early in the first half.

For the first 30 minutes, Arteta’s side seemed to show no real drive or determination going forward and the City players were exposing them like it was nothing.

Especially against a side that are riding high and are hardly conceding goals. As soon as the focus is lost, City have the attacking players to race up the pitch immediately and pose a danger in front of goal.

It was clear that today’s game was going to be a challenge for a side who have been inconsistent as of recent, which surely makes you want to play your best football and try and prove that you have the quality to challenge with a team who have been so untouchable in all competitions.

The Gunner’s lacked the ability to pass the ball accurately in the first half and there were too many mistakes that cost them to lose possession and give Man City the ball so often.

There was also a lack of press, and against a side that have such a solid defence as well as an attacking front line, you need your whole team to be pressing players constantly and trying to win the ball at every opportunity in order to get the most out of the game.

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