To win the trophy surrounded by two lions given to the English football champion, you have to show as much appetite as endurance, and Manchester City, winner of four of the five previous editions, has understood this perfectly. By winning in front of their audience, Sunday April 19 during the reception of Arsenal (2-1), the Cityzens – 2nd, 67 points and a game behind – fell behind the Gunners – 1st, 70 points – and reshuffled the cards of a championship which nevertheless seemed packed.
Leading the Premier League since the seventh day, the London club now finds itself threatened in the final sprint. And confidence no longer reigns, both among Spanish coach Mikel Arteta and among the ranks of the players. Already caught in the offensive trap of the Manucuniens, in the final of the League Cup (2-0), on March 22, Arsenal this time suffered the wrath of Rayan Cherki, brilliant to open the score at the start of the match (16th, 1-0), thanks to a new technical number.
And if the response did not take long to come, it only came from an error from Gianluigi Donnarumma, author of a perilous control in front of Kai Havertz, who by opposing the hasty clearance of the Italian goalkeeper, managed to deflect the ball into the Cityzens net (16th, 1-1). Then nothing, or almost nothing, to sound the revolt, the Gunners falling back into their offensive lukewarmness.
Arsenal keep their chances in the Premier League and in Europe
Returning from the locker room, Gianluigi Donnarumma, consoled by his teammates, returned to the applause of the Etihad Stadium. And the former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper (2021-2025), perked up, distinguished himself during a rare intrusion by the Londoners, ahead of Kai Havertz then Gabriel Martinelli (60th).
But in a newly restarted title race, the Cityzens did not intend to settle for a draw. “If we lose, it’s over,” said Pep Guardiola, the Mancunian coach, before the match. With a long restart from their goalkeeper, the locals then took the advantage thanks to their Norwegian scorer, Erling Haaland (65th, 2-1), author of a disjointed volley.
A lead that they were able to hold until the end of the match, despite the tensions that arose in the final minutes, and a copious distribution of yellow cards, addressed to Brazilian defender Gabriel, to Erling Haaland, but also to Pep Guardiola (83rd).
To save their title dreams, which have eluded them since 2004, Arsenal will now no longer have the right to make mistakes during the last five days of the championship, starting with the reception of Newcastle on April 25. For the moment, the Gunners remain in control of their destiny. Likewise in the Champions League, a competition they have never won, where they will face Atlético de Madrid in the semi-finals, on April 29 and May 5.
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Originally published at Almouwatin.com
