What a miserable day for Arsenal!

For Arsenal, it seems that there is no end to the nightmare but every week, the Gunners are experiencing a new low and no one knows when the sun will rise in the east for them. One of the finest clubs in Europe have been reduced to lower-ranked units that could be beaten anytime and for the big clubs, they are just a tool for having fun.

The Premier League title holders – Manchester City had a lot of fun playing against Arsenal at the Etihad. It was like an exhibition match in front of a packed crowd who witnessed the further downfall of a club that has given football so much. It is a sad sight to see the Gunners losing their way every day. It is a concern for the think tank of Arsenal because such a traditional club cannot hover around the relegation zone.

Overpowered by Romelu Lukaku last week, Arsenal were crushed by what had appeared Manchester City’s second-string attackers, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres. Pep Guardiola’s first unchanged Premier League team since 2017 strengthened his argument that he is happy with the squad at his disposal.

Arsenal were beaten as much by themselves, by the self-destructive streak that was epitomised when Granit Xhaka was sent off for an absurd two-footed lunge at João Cancelo, a decision he had the gall to complain about.

The game was just seven minutes old when City struck.

City’s first attack ended up with the opening goal.

Jesus looped a cross into the box, Leno misread it and it went over him and then the tall Calum Chambers was beaten in the air by little Ilkay Gundogan.

Five minutes later, the backline of Arsenal was exposed again – a low cross was sent into the box from a central position, which Cedric failed to clear and it landed at the feet of Torres who tapped home from the six yards.

After a bit of a VAR delay as they looked at a foul, the goal was given.

At the stroke of halftime, the ball was sent down the left by Torres to Jack Grealish who lined up Chambers, beat him and tapped the ball into the feet of Jesus who took a touch and slid in from six yards.

After the break, it was all about City who dominated possession while the Gunners were chasing shadows.

Torres laid the ball off to Rodri on the edge of the area, from where he curled his shot into the bottom corner and with six minutes remaining, Riyad Mahrez swung in a very good cross from the right for Torres to flick into the corner after earning himself a bit of space.

“We found the goals. After Xhaka was sent off it was easier for us,” said Guardiola after the match.

“The game was good. We had problems with the process from Ederson.”

“We are the same as we have done in the two or three years in the past. Always a club has to try to improve and have a desire to get better ... but with these players, we are going to go.”

“I worked two or three years together [with Arteta]. He is beyond a good manager. We were sad when he left. Sometimes people expect results immediately. Today the team he played is missing six or seven of the players. I am a big fan of him, they trust him and he will do a good job at Arsenal.”

Mikel Arteta has apologized to the Arsenal fans after the disgraceful show at Etihad stadium.

 Arteta said, “Really painful. For me it was a clear punch on Callum's face, the referee allows it to go, we are 2-0 down and after the red card we had a mountain to climb.”

“I am angry [about the red card] because of the consequences that it had to the team. I must say the line we are being judged with is really thin, because we had some actions like that in the last two Premier League games, and nothing happened.”

He expressed his concern and sadness previously as well, but at present, such things would not convince the fans of Arsenal.

Arsenal might need to look for some experienced manager to fix things. 

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 28/08/2021 What a miserable day for Arsenal!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar