LONDON — Manchester City knows when to be aggressive in the Premier League title race. If there was any doubt about that, he proved it during eight minutes of stoppage time at the end of a 3–0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
It was this period of the game that will strike even more fear into the hearts and minds of Mikel Arteta and his nervous Arsenal players as they prepare for next Sunday’s potential title decider against City at the Etihad Stadium.
If Arsenal win, they will move nine points clear at the top and end the nervousness of losing three of their last four games in all competitions – including last month’s Carabao Cup final against City – and take a big step towards a first title since 2004. But a win for City would take them to within three points of the Gunners, knowing that winning their game in hand would surely take them top on goal difference.
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It is this goal difference that made their final eight minutes against Chelsea so compelling and instructive as to the mood of Guardiola’s team.
City started this weekend seven goals behind Arsenal in the goal difference column, but after Bournemouth’s shock 2-1 win at the Emirates on Saturday and City’s victory at Stamford Bridge, the goal difference has dropped to just three in Arsenal’s favour. City’s win against Arteta’s side and victory in their game against Crystal Palace would see that lead eroded, although it would still be close.
So despite being three goals ahead entering stoppage time, City’s ruthlessness was exposed. The game was already won, and angry Chelsea fans were storming out of the stadium, but the moment the fourth official raised the board to signal an extra eight minutes, it felt as if Guardiola’s players had been kicked into extra gear. He extended the Chelsea goal as if a team was chasing a late equalizer or winner, erling holland Tried his best to score his first goal of the game.
The home side found themselves composed, knowing the importance of each extra goal they scored. In the end, City were unable to increase their winning margin, but the message was clear that every goal counted and they would not waste any chances to score.
“I don’t message the players about goal difference before the game, but I like that they are 3-0 up and still trying to score more,” Guardiola said. “I like it when Savinho “The four are making crosses and the players are trying to score, but I don’t know if (goal difference) will make a difference.”
Arsenal are not being as ruthless. They are finding the title pressure suffocating as a potential quadruple may no longer seem like such a big deal, and three goals in their last four games highlights how things are starting to go from strength to strength for Arteta’s players.
Since last month’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, City have scored nine goals in three matches without conceding. They have been energized by the tension, while Arsenal have let it paralyze them.
Even though the game was disappointing during the first half, City always looked in control against a Chelsea team full of confidence and without their vice-captain. Enzo FernandezJoe was serving a second game of club suspension for expressing his desire to stay in Madrid.
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But City increased the intensity at the start of the second half and took the lead. They went for the kill, and Ryan Cherky He was the instigator, scoring two goals in the space of six minutes Nico O’Reilly And Mark Guehi. One was a pinpoint cross to O’Reilly, the other a perfectly weighted pass to Guéhi, both deliveries emblematic of Cherky’s quality and influence since his £35 million summer transfer from Lyon. His number of assists against Chelsea this season has reached 10.
Cherki, Guehi and antony semenyo All have arrived at City since last summer, and all were proven performers – players with track records in Europe or the Premier League. In contrast, Chelsea have generally signed project players such as jamie gittens, Liam Delap And Alejandro GarnachoWhich is nowhere near the finished article.
It was a triumph of pedigree over ability – the same could be said of Guardiola versus Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior. It’s difficult to see Chelsea’s approach continuing to bear fruit like City’s, which won 3-0. jeremy doku scored after ejection Moises Caicedo On the edge of the penalty area.
It could have been more for City, but their pace is such that Arsenal will fear the worst at the Etihad. Of course, the Gunners can change the narrative by beating Guardiola’s side next week. But unless they develop the same ruthlessness and desire that this City team possesses, it looks as if the title race is going to end in City’s favour.
