Manchester City answered emphatically after Arsenal’s shock loss, with a dominant 3-0 win at Chelsea. This result has blown the Premier League title race wide open. The signs are looking ominous for Arsenal, as City move within six points of the leaders with a game in hand.
City Close the Gap on Title Rivals
The cheers from City’s players, Guardiola, and the travelling fans showed how important the victory was. City’s attention will now fully turn to next Sunday’s meeting against Arsenal, with the prospect of further reducing the deficit.
City have hit form in the past three games, scoring nine goals against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea without conceding. They also claimed the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup semi-finals during that period.
Guardiola acknowledged Arsenal’s quality, stating, “We have done a good three games, but the best team in England is Arsenal and the best team in Europe is Arsenal. The numbers are there with the consistency they had. We will prepare well this week. What defines the teams is how you play.”
‘Are You Watching Arsenal?’
City supporters chanted “Are you watching Arsenal?” at Stamford Bridge. The statistics show April is Guardiola’s most fruitful month and Arteta’s worst. The results from the two title rivals this weekend backed that up.
City have been the hunters before and are comfortable in that role, as Arsenal only know too well. In 2022-23, Arsenal became the team to spend the most days (248) top of the Premier League without winning it. They were five points clear after 32 games played that season, but City, with two games in hand, reeled them in. Guardiola and Arteta have been here before.
City have taken advantage of Arsenal’s slip-up in style and extended their unbeaten run in the league to nine games. They have also lost only one of their past 19 top-flight matches, showing they are once again starting to peak at the right time.
City ‘Smelling Blood’ as Arsenal Wobble
- Man City beat Chelsea to turn up heat on Arsenal
- City made a statement in dominant win at Chelsea
- City’s cheers would have been heard all the way from west London
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports, “Manchester City are smelling blood. They are heading into a free week to prepare for a monstrous clash next weekend.”
How damaging Arsenal’s home loss proves to be remains to be seen.