In a highly-anticipated clash at the top of the Premier League, Manchester City failed to break down Arsenal, resulting in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool emerged as the big winners of the day by defeating Brighton 2-1, securing their position at the top of the table.
Liverpool now leads by two points, with Arsenal trailing closely and City three points behind, with nine games remaining.
The match preserved City’s unbeaten home record, which dates back to November 2022, while also ending Arsenal’s impressive eight-match winning streak in the Premier League.
Notably, this encounter marked the first time in two years that Pep Guardiola’s men failed to score at the Etihad.
Despite City dominating possession, they struggled to penetrate Arsenal’s defense—a unit that has conceded the fewest goals in the league this season.
On the other hand, Arsenal has been prolific in attack, netting 33 goals during their recent winning streak.
The visitors, aware of their previous struggles at the Etihad, opted for a counter-attacking approach. Gabriel Jesus, returning to face his former club, had Arsenal’s best chance in a shot-shy first half.
However, City’s Nathan Ake missed a golden opportunity when he failed to connect properly with a Kevin De Bruyne corner.
City faced defensive challenges due to injuries to key players like Kyle Walker and John Stones. Ake’s early exit further forced Guardiola to improvise with a makeshift backline.
Despite an increased tempo after halftime, Arsenal rarely tested City’s defense. Erling Haaland, closely marked by Arsenal’s center-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, missed a crucial chance late in the game.
Arsenal’s substitute, Leandro Trossard, had the best opportunity to secure all three points, but his shot was straight at City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega.
City’s inability to secure a victory means they are yet to defeat any of the top five teams in the Premier League this season.
To achieve their goal of winning a fourth consecutive English top-flight title, the champions now rely on favors from both Liverpool and Arsenal.
