The Talking Points As Man City Crush Arsenal

 3 Talking Points as City Send Arsenal To The Bottom

-Mihir Mehta

-Editor: Mitansh Kagalwala

Photo Via: Times Of India

Manchester absolutely tore through Arsenal on Saturday in poetic fashion on the tenth anniversary of Arsenal’s 2-8 loss to arch rivals Manchester United. Arsenal’s woeful start to the season continued, with the team seemingly considering defending as optional. Terrible positioning led to the first two goals, followed by a Xhaka red card finished the game in the first half hour. In this article, we take a look at the talking points from the game that saw City net their second five-goal tally of the season, and Arsenal finish the gameweek in 20th place: 

1. NO STRIKER? NO PROBLEM: The summer transfer window has been an odd one for City, who are used to getting the players they want. The pursuits of both no.9’s, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, fell through, leaving City with no real recognized striker after Sergio Aguero’s departure. Even Gabriel Jesus plays more as a second striker, dropping off and connecting play. But, like last season, Guardiola went in with a fluent front three as doubts persisted. Ferran Torres, Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish all started, and absolutely blitzed what can no longer be called Arsenal’s backline. 5-0 in consecutive games, without Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden? Yes please. 

2. PLETHORA OF OPTIONS: City’s squad depth this season is frightening, and matched only by perhaps PSG. City could basically play their second team and still easily finish in a champions league squad. Arsenal were destroyed by Grealish, Torres and Jesus. Raheem Sterling and Riyadh Mahrez, City’s best forward were on the bench, and Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden are injured. Grealish’s influence, which was earlier under the scanner as people doubted his ability to adapt to the City way of playing, was clear in the game. Though it wasn’t the attacking blitz City supporters hoped for, Grealish taunted the Arsenal defence all game long, and chipped in with an assist to Jesus to finish off the game. The scary thing is that Grealish wasn’t even City’s best forward, that was Ferran Torres, who ended up with a brace. 

3. ARSENAL GOING DOWN? Let’s face it. Arsenal have been nothing short of absolutely terrible in the first three games. Defending is seen as optional, their goal of the month will come from their training since they haven’t scored yet, and the midfield is non-existent. "Arteta-Out" has become the war cry of the Gunner faithful. The injuries to Gabriel and Thomas Partey have taken a toll, but surely they can’t have that much of an effect. Arsenal allowed City to have 25 shots on goal, with 10 on target and 81% possession. It was common sentiment that missing a penalty in a Euro final would completely demoralise Bukayo Saka, but turns out, just playing for this Arsenal will do much worse damage. At this rate, Arsenal will be fighting in the relegation battle come Christmas, and even then it won’t be much of a fight. You can find the rest of the Arsenal-rant on tonight’s AFTV.

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