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Manchester City's 2–1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday cut the Gunners' advantage at the top of the Premier League table to just three points.
Hyped as a 'title decider' the likes of which English football hasn't witnessed in some time, City knew nothing less than all three points would suffice. A positive result for Arsenal would have virtually sealed their first league title since the 'Invincibles' era 22 years ago, but they were ultimately undone by Erling Haaland's second-half winner.
Arsenal showed no signs of crumbling under pressure, with Mikel Arteta's side matching City's intensity against a team that smells an opportunity and is now chasing a seventh league crown in nine seasons.
Clashes between these two sides can often be dull and predictable, but this was anything but. A high-quality contest was narrowly won by the chasers, though the outcome remained uncertain right until the final whistle.
Here are four key takeaways from Sunday's potentially pivotal encounter.
Donnarumma Atones For Dreadful Mistake
Gianluigi Donnarumma turned to face the South Stand in apology at the beginning of the second half, owning the blunder that gifted Arsenal a way back into the match.
Many anticipated City could run riot if they scored first, and Rayan Cherki's superb finish, under different circumstances, might have sparked a Sky Blue demolition. Yet barely two minutes after Cherki's opener, Kai Havertz was celebrating, having netted his first Premier League goal since last February in a manner he could scarcely have imagined.
Arteta likely preferred Havertz over Viktor Gyökeres for his work rate off the ball, and the German's persistence paid dividends when Donnarumma's hesitation allowed the Arsenal forward to charge down his clearance and level the score.
We recently witnessed an all-time great in Manuel Neuer bounce back emphatically from an uncharacteristic error in Bayern Munich's Champions League win over Real Madrid, and one of this era's finest goalkeepers did likewise in Manchester.
Not only did Donnarumma spark the winning goal sequence with a sharp throw to Nico O'Reilly, but the imposing Italian also produced a vital stop to deny Havertz around the hour mark. It was the clearest opportunity of the game, and we'd likely be talking about a prelude to Arsenal's title party had Donnarumma not made that save.
Man City's Old-Timers Come to the Fore
After nine remarkable years, Bernardo Silva will depart Manchester City at the season's end, and he is determined to add one more Premier League winners' medal to his storied collection.
The experienced midfielder was criticised by City fans not long ago, with some feeling Pep Guardiola's steadfast belief in Silva was misplaced. However, the versatile midfielder has rediscovered his best form during the run-in, thriving within Guardiola's latest tactical setup that has brought the best out of his squad.
Arsenal's key figures struggled in Manchester, while City's veterans shone. It was a tactical battle in midfield, with Arteta committing to aggressive man-marking, forcing Rodri and Silva to drop deep to get on the ball. City's seasoned midfield pairing are comfortable dictating play from any area of the pitch, their composure under pressure allowing the hosts to periodically escape the well-organised press and find their creative outlets.
While Rodri recorded a joint-high 10 defensive contributions and lost just three of his 12 duels, Silva buzzed tirelessly around the Etihad, freed up by Nico O'Reilly's hybrid role and the defensive cover he provides centrally.
Only Marc Guéhi (81) registered more touches than Rodri (77) and Silva (76) on the day, with City's experienced duo working in perfect harmony to ensure Arsenal's pressing rarely gained the upper hand. For Silva, this performance may well be the late-career equivalent of his dominant display during City's memorable 2–1 victory over Liverpool in early 2019.
Gunners Turn to Alternative Playmaker
Arsenal's creative struggles have been well documented over recent weeks, with Arteta's side also failing to score from a set piece in 10 matches heading into Sunday's clash.
And there was little joy from dead-ball situations for the visitors at the Etihad, aside from Gabriel's back-post header that deflected off O'Reilly and struck the woodwork.
Arteta's team selection was undeniably bold, with Martin Ødegaard making his first Premier League start since January and Eberechi Eze deployed on the left flank. Both rank among the division's finest playmakers at their peak, yet neither was at their sharpest on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Arsenal outperformed their hosts in terms of xG, with Arteta using his side's ability to suffocate opponents as a means of generating chances. There was never any indication from the outset that they had come to settle for a draw. Arsenal were tenacious without the ball, pressing man-to-man and recording eight times as many high turnovers as City midway through the opening half.
City's quality and the numbers they committed to their build-up play meant there were moments when they broke through, but Arsenal, particularly in the early stages, matched their hosts' aggression and turned this crucial encounter into a compelling back-and-forth contest.
Hard to Look Past Man City Now
Pep Guardiola's side may have been 12 points adrift of Arsenal heading into last Sunday's trip to Chelsea, but Bournemouth's 2–1 victory at the Emirates blew the title race wide open.
The contrasting fortunes of both clubs over recent weeks led some to view a City win here as inevitable, with the serial Premier League champions perhaps not at their peak, yet suddenly playing with the quiet menace of a side destined to lift the trophy.
Sunday's victory means the title is now firmly in their hands. Win at Burnley on Wednesday night, and City will sit top of the table for the first time since August. Tough fixtures remain, yet we are expected to believe this City side are incapable of producing one of their trademark winning runs that so often settle title races.
Given their form since the international break, would you really back them to slip up from here?
Arsenal were arguably as impressive as they have been in some time on Sunday, yet this felt like their final opportunity to land a decisive blow. Their energy is fading, and 180 minutes against Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid will do little to aid their domestic campaign.