Arsenal defeated Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the Emirates Stadium, ending a 12 games winless streak against their rivals
The victory was a major statement from Arsenal, who are now seen as legitimate title contenders this season. Mikel Arteta’s side showed great discipline and organization to keep City at bay, and they also displayed great quality in attack to score the winning goal and keeping a clean sheet.
Tactical analysis
Arteta set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation, with Eddie Nketiah as the lone striker, Jesus and Trossard on the flanks, and Odegard playing no 10. Jorginho and Declan Rice in central midfield, Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back and then Ben White and Zinchenko on the right and left wings respectively.
Guardiola set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Haaland as the striker, Foden, Bernado Silva on the wings and Alvarez playing the no 10 role. Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis in central midfield, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias at central defence, Walker and Gvardiol on the left and right wings respectively.
Arsenal’s game plan was to press City high up the pitch and win the ball back in dangerous areas. They were also disciplined in their defending and didn’t give City much space.
City’s game plan was to build from the back and create chances through their passing and movement. They also tried to exploit Arsenal’s high backline with through balls to Haaland.
Key Game Events
There were few chances in the game as both teams showed defensive resilience on and off the ball.
5th Minute
Manchester City had more possession in the first few minutes and looked in control with Raya having an edgy dive trying to block a cross from Gvardiol but was relieved by a good clearance on the goal line by Declan Rice.
Nathan Ake could have scored on the same minute from close range with Haland heading down a cross to his path, he however place the ball wide.
26th Minute
Arsenal looked nervy at the beginning of the game but were in control and had their 1st chance of the game when Zinchenko lobbed a through pass to Eddie Nketiah. The striker had a touch and rifled a shot wide.
29th Minute
There was a shout for a red card with VAR involved when Kovacic slide tackled an Arsenal player from the back and was awarded a yellow card. The VAR check concluded it didn’t warrant a red card.
34th Minute
Julian Alvarez struck a shot wide from outside the box.
38th Minute
Martin Odegaard puts his effort wide from outside the box.
The first half ended with both teams showing defensive resilience.
46th Minute
Gabriel Martinelli replaced Trossard who couldn’t match arguably one of the fastest full back in Kyle Walker.
47th – 85th Minute
Both teams had better control of the game in the second half, with Arsenal showing more signs on the left flank after Martinelli introduction.
86th Minute
The only goal of the game came in the 86th minute when half time substitute Tomiyasu headed a cross to Havertz who placed a pass to Martinelli and his shot was deflected by Nathan Ake and sent Ederson the wrong way.
The game ended with a deserved 1 nil victory for the gunners.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City was a huge result for the club. It ended a long winless streak against their rivals and moved them above City into second place in the Premier League table.
The win was also a significant victory for manager Mikel Arteta, who has been under pressure to deliver results in recent months. Arteta’s team showed great discipline and organization to keep City out, and they also displayed great quality in attack to score the winning goal.
Arsenal’s victory over City is a sign that they are a team to be reckoned with this season. They have a young and talented squad, and they are playing with great confidence. If they can continue to perform at this level, they will be challenging for the Premier League title.
Player ratings
Arsenal:
- Raya: 4/10
- White: 6/10
- Gabriel: 7/10
- Saliba: 8/10
- Zinchenko: 6/10
- Rice: 7/10
- Jorginho: 5/10
- Jesus: 6/10
- Odegaard: 6/10
- Trossard: 4/10
- Nketiah: 5/10
Substitutes
- Martinelli: (8/10)
- Kai Havertz (7/10)
- Thomas Partey (6/10)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10)
Manager: Mikel Arteta (8/10)
Manchester City:
- Ederson: 6/10
- Gvardiol: 7/10
- Dias: 7/10
- Ake: 6/10
- Walker: 6/10
- Lewis: 7/10
- Kovacic: 5/10
- Silva: 6/10
- Alvarez: 6/10
- Foden: 6/10
- Haaland: 6/10
Substitutes
John Stones (6/10)
Jeremy Doku (7/10)
Matheus Nunes (6/10)
Manager:Pep Guardiola (6/10)
