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 !
Isn’t the referee from Liverpool?
He’s probably taken a brown paper bag stuffed with cash from Liverpool.
They all have.
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.
Love this
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
Lucky you didn’t fumble or stumble
And leave them in a jumble.
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..
So if we sign him for £60 million and his goals help us overtake Liverpool for the title this year – and possibly another two or three years – you’ll be standing by what you’ve said here, while the rest of us are celebrating?
Spend thrifts like you are a big part of why our fan base is ridiculed.
and he got injured yesterday.
We need someone who can immediately score goals in the premier league. Who would you recommend?
Seem to be doing ok scoring goals to be honest – he would be ineligible for Europe and all that money for 15 odd games when Liverpool seem to be running away with the league. I would wait and get Sesko at least there is more potential with Sesko…
So we’d only be getting him for “15 odd games” for our £60m?
And if you think our goalscoring is currently ‘ok’ enough to win the title, then our nine point deficit to Liverpool begs to differ.
We aren’t punishing teams enough at the moment – and the world and his wife know that we need a proven goalscorer for NOW. Not next season – or have you thrown the towel in already, when we’re barely into February?
Sesko might have a higher ceiling, but he’s more of a risk too. We KNOW Watkins can score in the Premier League. Can Sesko? Remember that “perfect is the enemy of the good” and all that. On the other hand, there’s definitely some point to what Limpar is saying: doomsday scenario is that we lose today and Liverpool win their game in hand, giving them a 12pts lead. Watkins or not, I believe that gap would be too wide. For me, it all boils down to if there’s a SOLID chance we could get Isak in the summer (and if… Read more »
He wouldn’t be ineligible for Europe. You can register new players before the knockout phase
Akuna Mateta?
Let there be down votes…
Thumbs up from me, just for the song he would inevitably have.
Tel the truth! He is so sympathetic after rejecting Sprs.
I’d prefer Tel if truth be told, more versatile and let’s be honest, with Tel or Watkins, we ain’t winning the league!!! However it would be good to get Tel bedded in 👍
Watkins now, Tel in the summer.
Just interested why no one has been in for J David at Lille? He’s 25 and had consistent 20-30 goal seasons the past 3 years. Also his contract is up in summer. Mystery to me why there’s been no interest.
100% this. He would be a perfect fit. Works his socks off, defends as well as attacks, and is a wonderful finisher.
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?
Ollie Watkins. Always a Grecian.
How do you figure Watkins as Grecian?
Just seen that cunt Darren Lewis on Sky asking whether Erling Haaland “gets enough protection from the referees”
Can this supposedly ‘impartial’ wanker stick his tongue up Pep Guardiola’s and Man City’s arse any further? Cunt.
We are too soft!! Need to give them grief in the tunnel, on the pitch and going down the tunnel after we kick their self entitled arses
Fully expecting one of our players to be sent off for being too calm now.
Weird how cyborg started on MLS, typical bully try picking on the youngest player because he knows he’d get flattened by big Gabbi 👍 maybe MLS can do a dirty tackle on ole cyborg as a two fingered salute 👍
I don’t think MLS should be keane to do a dirty on Haaland.
That was the moment I went from admiring him as one of the great strikers of this era (and having thought he’s a decent enough feller) to dropping him firmly in Ronaldo/Neymar territory. In fact, Neymar for all the dislike he gets, I’ve never heard of him acting like that.
Picking on a seventeen year old who’s just played his first PL game. What a twat!
Let’s not forget Bernardo Silva & his snidy comments either.Another miserable git.
I hope haaland gets a red card and, as he trudges off, the arsenal fans chant “suck it up cyborg” 🤣