A lot has changed for both Arsenal and Manchester City since their 2-2 draw at the Etihad, but when they meet at the Emirates on Sunday, there’s a sense it won’t take much to reignite the tempers that flared four months ago.
September’s result left both sides frustrated. Arsenal, having defended a lead with 10 men for so long, were gutted to concede in the 98th minute. Meanwhile, City – so used to controlling games at home – were furious it took them that long to break down a side with no ambition other than to defend their advantage. Their accusations of reliance on the “dark arts” were devoured by the media.
Add to that Rodri’s season-ending injury, Haaland throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head after John Stones’ goal, his attempts to intimidate debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly, and his post-game “stay humble” jibes at Mikel Arteta, and there’s no shortage of lingering grudges.
Ahead of a must-win match, it’s clear Arteta wants his players to approach the test with clear heads.
“I really hope so,” he replied when asked if his players can park any lingering bitterness. “I think holding anything negative emotionally doesn’t help. It’s part of the competition, it’s part of the game. Let’s leave it there and let’s play a good football match, which is what people want to watch.”
Even with water under the bridge, it’s clear the draw with City, when his side was close to a famous victory, albeit playing in such an unorthodox fashion, continues to rankle the manager.
“I had [regrets] straight away because I saw the players and how they were fighting, how difficult it was,” said Arteta.
“It goes against what we want to do and when we have to defend for a long, long time with 10 men near our box. Watching them suffer, I wanted to get that reward. It was basically for them because I know what they did was very special and we didn’t get the reward that we were waiting for.”
Since their last meeting, neither side has kicked on as they would have hoped. If anything, the physical and emotional toll of that game opened the door for Liverpool, who have since gone on an impressive run and are now firm favourites for the title.
City’s campaign has been especially turbulent—they sit 14 points behind the leaders and only just scraped into a Champions League knockout stage play-off. However, a win at the Emirates would cut the gap to Arsenal to just four points and all but end their rivals’ title hopes.
It’s easy to see why Arteta wants to keep his side focused.
Let’s give it a go
I totally agree. Let’s kill ‘em and send that humble fake Thor packing.
Okay let’s do it. Watch out for the officiating !
Just don’t react. Don’t give in to this artificial rivalry by giving them the recognition. Go out there, win, shake their hands, end off.
Same with refs btw.
Just stay grumble, whatever it means. Sometimes it’s difficult to beat those midtable teams.
Arteta may grumble that were humble while we mumble for a rumble with that oafish bumble and make that lot crumble
Surely, the Watkins deal has been done. Villa is desperate for the cash (big PSR problems) and has sold its two main strikers. That is why it has brought in Malen, Rashford and Asensio. The clubs have been waiting until Villa got its replacements and are now waiting until after the City game to make the announcement. There is a reason why there is no chatter about Arsenal chasing other targets. It has its target.
I hope not – £60 million is far too much for a 29 year old no matter how good he is..
Tel the truth! He is so sympathetic after rejecting Sprs.
Watkins now, Tel in the summer.
I really don’t understand how Villa have managed to land themselves here. They sold Diaby and Luiz in the summer and duran now. How can they not be clear? Unless there’s some serious mismanagement behind the scenes that hasn’t come to light yet?