Man City vs Arsenal LIVE: Result and reaction after decisive clash in Premier League title race ends goalless

The real surprise, nonetheless, was how dismal the 0-0 rating between the champions and Arsenal was. Regardless of expression, there have been parts of the sport where a few of the perfect players in the world didn’t kick the ball accurately. City’s attackers stumbled when making contact with the sting of the penalty area. Arsenal’s defenders were attacking desperately. Even someone as great as Martin Odegaard played some of the bizarrely misused passes you have ever seen from a player like him.

Arsenal could revel in boredom. On a weekend stuffed with goals, the dullest match can become essentially the most significant. If in one respect the most important winner of the day was Liverpool, as Arsenal were knocked off the highest of the Premier League and their 100 per cent record got here to an end in 2024, they showed they’ll stay consistent.

Arsenal didn’t win the war of attrition, but no less than they ensured they would not lose it. Last season’s title fight suffered irreparable damage in the match against Manchester City. This 12 months’s tilt didn’t work. Mikel Arteta has suffered from gutting on the Etihad in the past. When Arsenal took their first point there under Pep Guardiola, the champions were unable to interrupt Arteta’s red wall.

Guardiola is the last to look in front of the cameras.

“We accept this issue. We tried, we didn’t create much, they didn’t create much,” he says.

“The defense is so compact that we can’t get back the high pressing on the balls because there are long balls, second balls and they are really good with Havertz and all their physicality.

“It was a tight match, we were who we are. We may be missing some time in the last third quarter, but it’s not easy.

“The last match at the Emirates was similar. We tried to create a little more, but it’s not easy. They have good players who defend the way they did and press high – they are fantastic at what they do.

Regarding injuries, he says that “John will be back soon. Kyle will be longer. Now Nathan will be longer. What happened to Kyle and especially John, I said, “OK.” I don’t know what will happen this month. Adapt”.

Finally, he adds that “Liverpool is first. But we still have nine games left and we’ll see what happens.”

Just a few more excerpts from Arteta’s interview with Sky.

He praises “the players’ commitment, the discipline they showed defensively, when we were really high on the pitch, we won the ball several times.”

“When they tried to move the structure, we defended the penalty area really well. We did really well. 2021 was the last time they didn’t score at home for three years, which shows how difficult the task is.

“You have to have performances like that with and without the ball, especially without the ball, to get anything out of the game here. Without the ball we lacked some composure, especially in the moments we had.

Referring to the title objection, he claims that “nothing changes.”

“We wanted to win, but we didn’t succeed. We know Liverpool’s result but we just have to keep playing. There is still something to play for.”

Bernardo Silva is the primary City representative to look in front of the cameras.

He says the match “was difficult because we were playing against a top team, very well organized and very competitive.”

“Honestly, I think it could have gone either way. I thought we started better, but during the match they also performed very well.

“It was difficult to play against them, one-on-one, when they were attacking high and when defending low, their wingers played like full-backs, almost in a six-man line.

“That’s why it’s never easy to play against teams that defend well, when they press high and when they defend deep and connected.”

Finally, he confesses that he feels the title is “out of our hands” now that they should depend on points from Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Arsenal manager is now talking to Sky and says Arsenal “took another big step today”.

“I believe we had the perfect situations. At times we played really aggressively and hit the ball in great places. The way we competed individually and as a team was phenomenal.

“Individually you will have to provide your all. I believe it’s 2021 since they have not scored a single goal on the Etihad. It was a very difficult test for us today. We desired to win, but if you happen to cannot win, you may’t lose.

Arsenal’s captain and man of the match are the primary players to talk to Sky.

William Saliba says Arsenal “cannot be satisfied with a draw, but it’s OK, we learn from some games.

“When we can’t win, we can’t lose. So we leave with one point, but we are not satisfied.

“We have to be focused throughout the match. We did well. We disagreed. We didn’t score a goal, but we are happy.

So a draw between City and Arsenal leaves Liverpool top of the table with nine games remaining. Arsenal achieved a positive result after being beaten almost flawlessly last year and also produced an impressive defensive display. However, they lacked a bit of quality in attack.

Overall, City had more chances – and better xG for those who rely on this stat – but it never really looked like they would score. Both teams did not perform well in attack.

Ultimately, it’s a result that doesn’t paint a clearer picture of the title race, but Liverpool have the advantage heading into the midweek round of fixtures.

Liverpool finished the day in first place with 67 points. Second placed Arsenal is two points behind, while City in third is one point behind.

Next week Liverpool host Sheffield United in midweek before heading to Old Trafford on April 7 for a big game.

Arsenal host Luton before traveling to Brighton, while City host Aston Villa before traveling to Crystal Palace.