Do Arsenal have what it takes to finally finish ahead of Manchester City?

FT Redactie

• Updated: 11 Oct 2024 14:02 BST
• 3 min read

Mikel Arteta has taken a dying team into what is considered one of the better sides currently competing in European football. Even with this in mind he hasn’t managed to clinch a Premier League title and is eluded by any significant trophy so far in his managerial career. But with a City side who defensively are looking shaky - Does Mikel Arteta’s side have what it takes to make it happen this year?

Arsenal’s start to the season

Short of two draws coming off the back end of a couple of questionable decisions by the referee resulting in red cards, Arteta’s men have run a nearly immaculate campaign so far, showing convincing performances with dominant attacking play there has been little to leave fans’ wanting so far this season.

Although the squad’s transfer window was not terribly exciting - with a signing of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori, the squad didn’t bolster up their attacking prowess much, this did change slightly with the very opportunistic loan move for Raheem Sterling. But, with all things considered we can safely assume that the fans were expecting more in the way’s of a number 9.

With that taken into consideration, Arsenal have still managed an absolutely tremendous start to the season all things considered. If we look at the momentum and the current squad health they don’t look like they are going to start losing anytime soon and absolutely look up for the task.

We asked Dutch football expert and Journalist from the news site Apparata, who had this to add - “Looking at the squad there is still on paper quite a lot left to be desired, but Arteta’s ability to build a squad has become very clear from the minute he joined the club. I would think fans have to maintain more faith in their leader in this case and believe he has the right tactics to get the job done.”

Manchester City starting form

Going from strength to strength - it’s still pretty safe to summarize what the club has achieved with “City are still City”. But looking particularly at their current defensive form we have seen some clear and obvious chinks in the armour. We can perhaps attribute this to a lack of signing added to the back line, there are also considerable individual performances to consider.

Gvardiol and Akanji are staples in the back for City - but when looking at their individual defensive performances you can clearly see how these hiccups are occurring in games where they shouldn’t be. Gvardiol has continued to stay in an attacking position this season and has made clear contributions to goals so far this season. But as we did see with the critique towards Alexander Arnold Trent this shows a similar situation playing out - but if we are being perfectly honest, Gvardiol does not yet show the skill that Alexander Arnold Trent did.

There are other obvious signs in their play which is allowing the goals to slip by - one being their over reliance on Kyle Walker. Who despite his best efforts, can’t change the course of time and age. There is a lack of speed moving back on the counter attacks which leave City very open to counter attacking goals.

Then we have yet to even mention Erling Haaland, a key piece of Pep’s puzzle that shows absolutely no sign of stopping yet - despite two goalless performances.

Summary - What does Arteta need to do when facing City next?

Our opinion particularly pokes holes in City’s defense, quite simply if Ipswich are able to quite easily score a goal then Arteta’s side will have a field day. We saw some quite easy goals in the first half of the first game the teams faced off in this season. Where the Gunners’ had their fun cut short by an unfortunate 2nd yellow given to Leandro Trossard.

Plain and simply - we don’t believe City will be so lucky next time around, and Artetas’ men will walk away with a crucial win. But they need to ensure a nearly immaculate season up and until the two teams meet again.