The Premier League title race took another turn as Arsenal emerged from the Etihad Stadium with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Manchester City.
This result was not just a point gained, but a statement made. Arsenal became only the fourth team in history to shut out a Pep Guardiola-led side in both league fixtures of a single season.
Arsenal secured an historic result on Easter Sunday, etching their name alongside a select few who have managed to stifle Pep Guardiola‘s tactical brilliance across two games in a season. The 0-0 draw against Manchester City not only strengthened their own title ambitions but also highlighted the Gunners’ growth since last season when they lost here 4-1.
This clean sheet marked a special achievement for Mikel Arteta‘s men. They became just the fourth team in history to shut out a Guardiola-led side in both League fixtures of a single season. Borussia Mönchengladbach (2014/15), Manchester United (2020/21), and Crystal Palace (2021/22) are the only other clubs to have achieved this feat, highlighting the exceptional defensive display put in by the North London outfit in both games.
Manchester City’s formidable record at the Etihad Stadium was also shattered by Arsenal’s approach. Prior to this encounter, City boasted a club-record 47 consecutive home league games with at least one goal scored. However, Arsenal effectively frustrated the reigning champions throughout the 90 minutes.
Guardiola, known for his attacking philosophy, initially responded to City’s struggles with a touch of gallows humour. “Kill one,” he quipped at the post-match press conference, referring to the need to force Arsenal to play more offensively with a red card. However, he quickly shifted gears, acknowledging the effectiveness of Arsenal’s tactics.
“They defended very well,” Guardiola conceded. “When teams defend like that, it’s very difficult. They defended very deeply and did it well. They have top players in defence and were perfectly compact.”
The statistics echoed Guardiola’s sentiment. Despite boasting 72% possession, City managed only a single shot on target. The central defensive duo of Gabriel and William Saliba, lauded by captain Martin Odegaard as “brilliant,” neutralised the usually prolific Erling Haaland for the third time this season. Against Arsenal in 23/24, he has managed zero shots.
While his side’s defensive display was undoubtedly a masterclass, Arsenal players acknowledged the lack of potency on the counterattack. “We can be happy about the point,” Kai Havertz noted, echoing the sentiment of many Arsenal fans. “Not conceding a goal here is very difficult.”
This hard-fought point, however, also opened the door for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp‘s men, victorious against Brighton, now sit two points clear at the top of the table. Guardiola, ever the realist, acknowledged Liverpool’s newfound advantage. “The first is always the favourite, then comes Arsenal, then us,” he stated.
With nine games remaining in the season, the Premier League title race remains tantalisingly tight.