Arsenal

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

As Manchester City close in, the prospect of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal finishing second in the Premier League for a fourth successive season is an increasingly painful possibility.

Arsenal still have the opportunity for glory this campaign, domestically and in Europe's biggest competition, but they have now reached the point where another season that fails to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2020 will leave serious questions about Arteta and his players.

The Gunners simply must win a trophy this season to deliver the answer. To let it slip and finish empty-handed would be cruel, but this is the environment they are operating in.

Arteta and Arsenal must dismiss the growing noise, the noise around them now and the noise that will accompany them if they fall short.

This is not to suggest questions should be asked about Arteta's future - absolutely not - and he could still win a Premier League and Champions League, but if it does not work out as he hopes, he must go back to the drawing board once more to find a way to win.

Former Liverpool and England midfield man Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: "I understand success is based on trophies, but ultimately let's say Arteta lost the Premier League on goal difference and lost the Champions League final, you have to give perspective.

"He's there or thereabouts. They are getting closer and closer. I know it's been a couple of years of finishing second. The squad is as good as it's ever been. There is talk if he doesn't win anything he should go, I think that's crazy."

Arteta laughed at suggestions he will now have to pick his players up, insisting if he had to do that in their current situation he "should be at home".

He said: "I'm very upset with the result because of the way we played. It's a new league now and we have three points advantage with five games to play. Everything is still to play for."

Read more from Phil about the challenge facing Arteta and Arsenal here

I have heard lots of criticism of Arsenal recently - how they have bottled it in games or are falling away again when it matters - but that was certainly not the case on Sunday.

It was a disappointing result for them, but when they review this game in the cold light of day they cannot be disappointed with the performance.

They had a real go at Manchester City in the second half and created some really good chances.

Gabriel came within the width of a post of making it 2-2 and Eberechi Eze came even closer when he hit the inside of the upright. If the ball goes across the line instead of bouncing along it, then it is Arsenal who are ahead.

On a different day they could easily have won this game, they would be nine points clear and we would all be saying the title race is done.

The reason Arsenal will be kicking themselves is because we did not see this intensity when they lost at home to Bournemouth last week.

Maybe that was because they are playing a lot of games at the moment and energy was a factor, but I think it is more to do with mindset.

You know as a player that when you play City away you have got to be at it, and you find the extra you need physically and mentally to match them. You have to, because you know how good they are.

It is different when you are at home to a team like Bournemouth on a sunny afternoon and part of you is thinking 'we are better than these'.

You expect to be beating them and, when you are not, you have got to somehow find a way within a game to change momentum.

I was at Emirates Stadium for the Bournemouth game, and I did not see the energy and urgency from Arsenal that I saw at Etihad Stadium.

Yes, Arsenal have messed up recently, but not this time.

Read more from Danny on the title race here

Alex Howell
Football reporter

It is rare for a team to be challenging for the title without a forward in the conversation for team of the season, but it is difficult to argue against the fact that is where Arsenal are.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo will undoubtedly be in contention for the end-of-the-season awards while past title-winners have boasted the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Didier Droga.

Arsenal's available forward options of Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus undoubtedly have their strengths - but it feels a stretch to call any of them ruthless match-winners.

The all-round play of Gyokeres has been questioned and he is often only effective against sides that aren't at the top end of the table.

Havertz's opening goal on Sunday was his first of the season, Leandro Trossard has not scored for 22 games, Madueke has two league goals, while Eze has six - but five of those have come in two matches against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal were also without Bukayo Saka, who missed out with an Achilles injury, but despite usually being one of Arsenal's most reliable forwards, his numbers are down this season.

Mikel Arteta's side have been criticised throughout the season for their style of play with their strengths being their threat from set-pieces and their excellence in defending the cornerstones.

At times throughout the season, Arsenal have struggled to create chances and that is reflected in their goals from open play.

Arsenal have 35.8 expected goals from open play this season - sixth in the league. Manchester City are second (42.1) with Chelsea top (43.2).

"Teams were starting to get scared of Arsenal's set-pieces," former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This is great when you get points but the more and more time goes on, you start to rely on this and start to feel comfortable with this. You don't concede many goals, you don't create many goals but you get those chances where you feel like you are going to score.

"The message you are giving is, 'don't worry guys, stay strong and if we get set-pieces we can count on that'."

And the former defender thinks if Arsenal played with a different style, their forwards would flourish.

"The more time that goes on, the less you think about how you are going to create and hurt people," he said.

"It's not about playing 'free football' and scoring five goals but I do feel with the players they signed over the summer, they could damage any team if you give them that freedom.

"I have just felt over the last few weeks, it feels like they are just not trying to make mistakes rather than trying to take risks and going for the win."

Read more from Alex on Arsenal's forwards here

Paris St-Germain sporting advisor Luis Campos has held talks with the representatives of Arsenal's Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli, 24. (L'Equipe - in French, subscription), external

Tottenham's Sweden midfielder Lucas Bergvall, 20, is being monitored by several clubs, with Arsenal and Chelsea interested. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal

• Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland

• Nottingham Forest 4-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-2 Liverpool

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's nerve has been questioned in recent weeks, especially after the shock home defeat by Bournemouth, so this was a huge test for Mikel Arteta's side.

Therefore the pain will arguably be more acute after they matched this menacing, in-form Man City side all the way but went down to a defeat that could yet define their Premier League season.

Arsenal were competitive throughout and were chasing an equaliser until the end of seven minutes of nerve-shredding added time, the big chances wasted when Kai Havertz headed over with the goal at his mercy seconds from the end.

Arsenal did not play like a side whose nerve had failed them, but this may yet prove to be an immensely damaging defeat, although Arteta - a frantic touchline presence throughout - will be satisfied with the performances.

It is results, though, not performances that matter at this stage of the season, and this was one Arsenal may live to regret as they had enough opportunities to make the outcome different.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "At the end it's the result we came to conquer. We did a lot of things right to take the game where we wanted. We had the best chances in the game but we didn't put them away and that's the reality."

On whether the belief is still there: "100%. I said to the boys we have to look in the mirror and the team we played in the moment, the history they have, to come back from a goal down. There's a lot of things to take. The difference was in both boxes that's for sure."

On changing his approach: "Every game is a different approach. Need to evaluate the state of the team. We are missing some big big players. We need them back as soon as possible because we need to be stronger and better.

"The Premier League starts again almost. They have a game in hand, we are three points ahead, five games to play so game on."

Did you know?

• Arsenal have lost back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since December 2023, ending a five-game unbeaten streak in the league against Manchester City in the process (W2 D3).

• The Gunners have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions (W1 D1), starting with the EFL Cup final against City last month – the Gunners lost just three of their first 49 matches of the season (W37 D9).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on City's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola seems to have settled on a starting XI for the run-in, naming the same side that beat Chelsea last Sunday.

It means full-back Nico O'Reilly is fit to start after hobbling off at Stamford Bridge with an apparent hamstring issue.

There is a return to the squad for John Stones, who has not featured since 7 March in the FA Cup win over Salford.

Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly, Silva, Rodri, Doku, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta makes two changes for this monumental encounter.

Captain Martin Odegaard returns to the starting line-up in place of Gabriel Martinelli, while Kai Havertz starts up front by replacing Viktor Gyokeres.

As mentioned, both Riccardo Califiori and Jurrien Timber miss out for the Gunners.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Odegaard, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Madueke, Havertz.

I covered Arsenal's draw with Sporting on Wednesday for 5 Live. The Gunners are good defensively, and got through the tie pretty comfortably, but their problem is they don't look like they are going to score.

There are still a lot of things that are good about Mikel Arteta's side with the way they press and how organised they are, but they are struggling to break teams down.

They are lacking that bit of flair in the final third, which is where you fancy City really, but then Arsenal don't need to win this game either.

A draw is a good result for them so Arteta's side are not going to approach it with all guns blazing - they will play with balance and, if they get the job done with a boring 0-0, they will be a step closer to winning the title.

As for City, I am often wrong but I am not as convinced by their recent form as some people are.

Even so, I do think they will edge this. The nature of this game means it is going to be tight and very stop-start but, whether it is Jeremy Doku or Antoine Semenyo, they have the players capable of producing the bit of magic they will need to win it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Sunderland

• Everton v Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest v Burnley

• Man City v Arsenal (16:30 BST)

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction to the early games here and the late match here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

A victory for Manchester City over Arsenal in their eagerly anticipated top-of-the-table clash on Sunday (16:30 BST) would trim the gap on Mikel Arteta's side to a mere three points with a game in hand. BBC Sport looks at the key themes ahead of the match.

City blossoming in spring once again

Manchester City carry all the momentum going into their blockbuster title clash against a faltering Arsenal side that has seen their healthy lead at the top start to slip away.

Unrelenting City come into their own at this time of year and their record under Pep Guardiola in the spring is frightening. Since he took charge, they average 2.51 points-per-game in the month of April with a win rate of 79.5%.

City have only lost one of their last 19 league games (W12, D6) and are unbeaten in 14 at home since August, scoring at least twice in 12 of those matches.

They have a host of players hitting top form, particularly Nico O'Reilly, who was the scourge of the Gunners with a brace in the League Cup final. While the mercurial Rayan Cherki has become the first player to register 10 or more assists in their debut Premier League season since Dimitri Payet registered 12 for West Ham in 2015-16.

This is the latest into a season that City are facing the league leaders since April 2012, when they beat Manchester United 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium en route to securing what was a famous first ever Premier League title.

Arsenal looking to get back on track

A fragile and wounded Arsenal head to the Etihad having lost their last three domestic matches in three different competitions: Man City in the EFL Cup final, Southampton in the FA Cup, and Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Incredibly, the last time they lost four in a row domestically was in March 2018 and that included defeats to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final and also in the Premier League.

After only suffering three defeats in their opening 49 matches of this season in all competitions (W37, D9), Arsenal have since lost three of their last five while their last top-flight victory came more than a month ago.

While City flourish in April, it is statistically Arsenal's worst month under Mikel Arteta - earning only 1.54 points per game and a 42.3% win rate.

Despite the air of anxiety surrounding the Gunners, they have booked a place in successive Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history.

Neither of the legs versus Sporting Lisbon were pretty, but Mikel Arteta has urged perspective amidst the maelstrom currently surrounding the club: "It's a massive moment," he says. "To be part of those four teams is great work. We are making steps that haven't been done at this club for 140 years. You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work."

At least they can fall back on a much-improved recent record against Manchester City in the league. Having lost 12 top-flight matches in a row against them they are unbeaten in their last five.

However, a victory at the Etihad is still proving elusive, they have failed to win on any of their last 10 visits there dating back to 2015.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport Columnist

Image source, Getty Images

Former colleagues. Master and apprentice. Title rivals.

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta's relationship has cut across a range of strands over the years and evolved along with their managerial styles.

The pair go head to head at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a match many have billed as a Premier League title decider. A win for Guardiola and second-placed Manchester City would cut the lead of Arteta's Arsenal side to just three points, with a game in hand.

The Spaniards' relationship started in 1997 when Arteta joined Barcelona's academy - meeting his idol, Barca skipper and fellow midfielder Guardiola. Their time as team-mates was brief, but a friendship was forged.

Communication between the two managers cooled significantly when Arteta gave up his role as Guardiola's assistant in Manchester back in 2019 to take charge of Arsenal.

While the City boss's other former assistants maintained closer contact, Arteta stepped away - and that distance created silence.

While Arsenal learned to compete at the highest level, Guardiola continued to evolve.

That tension - between adapting and remaining faithful to an idea - defines the 55-year-old's career.

"He starts incorporating new concepts," said Pep Segura, former director of football at Barcelona. "Above all defensive transition, that's where he evolves enormously.

"Arteta incorporated more physical profiles than Pep. Pep seeks more technical players… Arteta looks for strength, speed, power."

But there are still plenty of points of convergence.

"Both have looked for pieces to improve the offensive transition," added Segura. "City with [Erling] Haaland… Arteta with [Viktor] Gyokeres."

There is an element where the comparison becomes most revealing. In elite football, what defines coaches is how they respond to difficulty.

Arteta is in that moment now. He has built a team capable of competing with the best. But the final step - winning consistently at the very top - is where he wants to get to.

Read more on Arteta and Guardiola