The menu was copious this Sunday with an Arsenal – Manchester City at the end of the 8th day of the Premier League. A clash between the two behemoths of last season, when the Cityzens won, in the final sprint, a third consecutive title of champion of England. If the two teams still struggled for a long time this Sunday, this time Arsenal was able to come out on top by winning 1-0. Pleasant but marked by a false rhythm generated by the caution of the two teams, the first period turned in favor of the Cityzens, who could however have ended the match at 10 after two useless soles from Kovacic, first on Odegaard, then Rice.
From the start, the Cityzens were close to opening the scoring twice. Firstly through Gvardiol, who saw his shot repelled by Rice on his goal line (3rd), then by Aké, alone against Raya but who sent the ball into the sky of London (4th). Recruited for the quality of his kicking, which was more of a failure than anything else today, David Raya could have offered City two goals. On a delay when clearing, which allowed Alvarez to counter him, without impact (16th), then on an excessive risk-taking when finding Rice in front of him (23rd). The first London thrill was thrown by Nketiah, whose shot was ultimately too cross (27th).
Martinelli woke up the Emirates, City can’t do it without De Bruyne
Live ranking
|
#
|
Team
|
Pts
|
J
|
DIF
|
G
|
NOT
|
D
|
BP
|
B.C.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
|
20 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
16 |
6 |
|
3 |
|
18 |
8 |
11 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
17 |
6 |
Out injured on Tuesday against Lens in the Champions League, Bukayo Saka, who had played his team’s last 85 matches in the league, had to withdraw from the clash. If Nketiah, too messy, Jesus, lively but not sharp, and Trossard, invisible, were not able to make him forget, Gabriel Martinelli took his responsibilities. Coming into play at the break, the Brazilian sounded the revolt with his speed and his repeated incursions, making Walker dizzy. And while we imagined the match ending in a sad 0-0, he offered victory to his team. On a clever delivery from Havertz at the edge of the area, he saw his shot successfully deflected by Aké into Ederson’s goal (86th).
As for Manchester City, Haaland will have had nothing to really get his teeth into, due to a lack of star services. Phil Foden, uninspired, and Alvarez, completely absent from the debates, never put the Norwegian into orbit like Kevin de Bruyne has the secret to do. If Doku was restless when he entered the game, not hesitating to challenge Zinchenko in a one-on-one match, he was also unable to turn the match around. With this defeat – the third in the last four matches – Manchester City confirms its De Bruyne dependence and finds itself in 3rd position. With this not very spectacular but important victory, Arsenal climbed to second position, just behind their rival Tottenham.
