Again, spineless Arsenal succumb to Manchester City

It was deja vu as Manchester City strolled to another 3-0 win over Arsenal- the second in four days- at the Emirates stadium to go 16 points clear at the top of the EPL summit.

Arsene Wenger made four changes to the team which lost in the Carabao Cup final to Man City at Wembley, Danny Welbeck, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Petr Cech and Saed Kolasinac returning to the XI. Cup winners Pep Guardiola made only two changes, Bernardo Silva earning a rare start while Man City’s first choice goalkeeper Ederson returned in goal.

Still smarting from losing the Carabao Cup, Arsenal flew out of the blocks and almost forced the opener through an own goal via Ramsey’s shot deflected by Vincent Komany but Ederson saved his captain’s blushes. The brazilian goalkeeper also saved a tame Mkhitaryan shot as Arsene Wenger’s team made a positive start to the game.

However, it was déjà vu for the Gunners as the Citizens took the lead against the run of play. Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva met Leroy Sane’s cross with a precise curler to the top corner, giving City fans in a packed away end more to celebrate.

Wenger’s future has come under more scrutiny in recent days, so also has his players’ attitude but they were enjoying more shots on target than City who had Ederson’s save from a well hit Ramsey shot to thank for preserving their slim lead.

The Quatari-backed City however doubled the lead in their usual ruthless fashion in the 27th minute with their second shot on target. In a swashbuckling move, City’s main men combined to slice through the north Londoners’ porous defence. Speedy German winger Leroy Sane with a burst of pace, an Aguero cutback and David Silva applying a precise finish to a move he started.

Wenger was worried about his team’s psychology coming into this game and City are in irresistible mode, two turning to three six minutes later with the sensational Leroy Sane getting on the scoresheet. The 22-year old former Schalke 04 winger got ahead of Bellerin to convert Kyle Walker’s low cross across the face of goal. The first half ended with City fans in full voice, Arsenal fans booing and the under-pressure Wenger wondering how his team could be three goals down despite an impressive half.

The malaise was spreading from defence to attack in the second half and five minutes in, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a penalty awarded when Otamendi caught Mkhitaryan in the box. The Gabon international striker’s weak penalty was too close to goalkeeper Ederson who made light work of it to preserve his team’s 3-0 lead.

Arsenal were bossing the second half but lacked the ruthlessness of Man City in front of goal, Aubameyang volleying narrowly wide from the edge of the box on the hour mark.

The game petered out thereafter, Arsenal kept at arm’s length as City’s stars strolled around the Emirates pitch, knocking the ball nicely with the Gunners’ midfielders missing in action on a cold evening in which they could be excused for their lacklustre effort.

Manchester City’s win puts them on 75 points, a massive 30 points ahead of Arsenal who are languishing in 6th place and 10 points off their customary fourth place. The Citizens are five wins away from being crowned EPL Champions, while Arsenal’s ninth loss of the season after 28 games- same number they lost throughout last season- brings Wenger ever closer to a possible exit from the club after 22 years as gaffer.