Arsenal thought they were in a title race. But no more. Photo: GETTY/Michael Reagan
Indeed, there is: Arsenal, having spent most of this campaign comfortably, if unlikely, behind City, are in deep psychological stagnation. You felt the deadly terror piercing through their defenses as de Bruyne and Haaland rushed towards them under the spring evening sunset. Not to mention William Saliba's back injury, the rest of the back four were at risk of an acute case of contortion.
All along, Arsenal feared their increasingly controversial efforts would run into a sky blue rhapsody. And so it turned out: City, in their best symphonic performance, realized all the darkest forebodings of Mikel Arteta. City's sheer fluency, combined with Arsenal's frayed nerves, was the perfect vignette to capture what this season has become, a tale of hesitant challengers overwhelmed by the relentless power of repeat champions.
Oh, Kevin De Bruyne! 🎯
Great takedown from Erling Haaland, who passes to De Bruyne for an amazing run and finish! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Ex4pyouHVJ
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023
It was a game that bolstered the theory that City were too big for the overall good of the Premier League. For many years there was a slogan that this is the most competitive league in the world. He even survived an era of stubborn dominance in the top four. But right now there is by far the most obvious gulf between the City and everyone else. Arguably the most epic of Pep Guardiola's creations outside of his zenith at Barcelona, this side is now approaching its fifth title in six years, a level of excellence more associated with the Bundesliga.
In truth, this outcome for Arsenal has long been telegraphed. Take your pick: the moment when, at 2-0 at Anfield, they allowed Liverpool to regain ground. Or the tormented look on Bukayo Saka's face when his West Ham penalty went awry. Or the impression of a total collapse of the system when they lost 3-1 to Southampton. The template for City's decisive dominance was clear.
Arsenal's confidence that they could become elected champions has waned noticeably. In their perplexity as to how to hold off the deadly de Bruyne-Haaland Axis, they looked unsure if they should even participate in this battle.
The explanations for Arsenal's rabbit fear under City's blinding headlights are complex. It wasn't just Saliba's unfortunate absence or Arteta suffering from some deep-seated sense of inferiority when he came face to face with his old mentor Guardiola that made them cringe. If there's one compelling theory, it's that they've forgotten how to deal with these extremely tense name skirmishes.
It's been 19 years since they last claimed the title and sometimes it shows. When Arsenal put Manchester United to the sword in January, the mood on the streets of north London suggested an impending coronation. They defied post-World Cup hesitation prophecies while Guardiola lamented how his City players were «far away». from the best. What didn't you like? And yet the biggest prizes are never sealed in the middle of winter. It is in April that the real winners boil — a habit that has taken root in City under the supervision of Guardiola.
This was one of Guardiola's cat attacks. at nights under a hot roof, when his charges did nothing, it seemed that it was good enough, even when three goals were for the best. He is incredibly nervous, but this is a trait that opens access to titles. While he exhorted City to reach even higher standards before he became hoarse, Arteta next to him was a dull study, unable to find any solution.
Arteta's achievements should not be underestimated. His team made a great breakthrough and can still score 90 points, the same as the Invincibles in 2004. the mentality that the City has shown here. As they worked their tedious way home, they didn't sweeten the pill: they whipped the cue when it mattered most.
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