It was the first big game of the season and a lot of football fans all over the world looked forward to it. It was Unai Emery's first competitive game at Arsenal and Pep Guardiola's first chance at defending his EPL title. Although the stats between both coaches were in Pep's favour, - 6 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses - we had hoped for an impressive display.
Manchester city put up an impressive performance that added up to their stunning statistics of 18 wins out of their 21 last away games. Arsenal on the other hand had a quite diverse number of players to shuffle in their starting XI. Up until the kick off, Arsenal players were in high spirits and they all rallied up behind the team to lead them to a victory or at least, a draw. Even painted on the Arsenal fans' side of the stadium was an inscription "To the next Chapter". But right after the kick off, the music tuned down and doubts began to set in. What then happened?
Arsenal started with a 4-2-3-1 formation which saw two signings, Torriera and Guendouzi make their debuts while Manchester city opted for a 4-3-3 formation. Riyad Mahrez; Manchester city's greatest signing for the summer also made his debut.
It was a thrilling match as I had predicted. The first half started on high, with City dominating the most part of it. There were early half chances from both sides before city sent ripples into the back of the net at the 15th minute. It was an early lead and a beautiful solo goal from Raheem Sterling which demoralized Arsenal. Arsenal tend to sit back and cower after an opponent's stun and it's a real problem that Unai Emery should be worried about.
The defense was disorganized. City seeped in and out of the box 18 with relative ease and the score could have been doubled or the match even placed beyond Arsenal's reach in the first half. But for the strokes of luck, the scoreline could have been emphatic. City maintained a good composure thought out the half while their opponent scampered in an endless back and forth loop, squandering their chances of the game while looking less confident.
Arsenal looked to play a counter-attack defensive kind of game but their breakouts were very less convincing and the strikers were not at all clinical. In short, they submitted to an obviously superior opponent at a very early stage of the match and they couldn't regain their composure all through the half. Pep Guardiola was indeed impressed with the first goal that he didn't fail to make his joy apparent as he clung his palms onto his head whilst commending the team. Of course it was a beautiful one with the impressive run along the edge of the box 18 from Sterling before he buried the ball beyond the reach of Petr Cech. It was all City in the first half.
The second half was equally an impressive one from Manchester city but Arsenal found a little bit of confidence towards the end. Manchester city didn't sit back and pull Arsenal forward, they poked their box 18 much further and it only took a few tries before adding a goal to their tally.
It was an heartbreaking moment seeing Arteta rejoice on the bench with Guardiola as an assistant coach after City scored their second goal of the match. Arteta had contested for a managerial position at Arsenal before losing to Emery. Mendy caused problems on the left flank before sending a pass to Bernado Silva who sent a thumping strike into the top of the net.
Arsenal saw a penalty appeal denied in the second half, in similar cases at the world cup, it was a penalty. Then Arsenal saw two goals from Aubameyang and Ozil ruled as offside. A decision which was well in line. They seemed to gain their composure towards the end but it was too late.
Of course, it is too early to write any team off but it is not too early to cherry pick the apparent top sides. Arsenal may have had a disappointing start but they can't be written off just yet. It behoves Emery to get back to the drawing board and set things. Hopefully, we may - to an extent - be able to replicate Chelsea's performance after their disappointing start to the 2014/2015 season. Speaking of Chelsea, they are the next Arsenal's opponent and we will see what the match has in store for us.
The dark hour may just be before the dawn, who knows?
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