Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has suggested Arsenal did not show enough respect to their opponents last night at the Etihad Stadium.
City ran out 4-1 winners against the Gunners.
Two masterclasses from Erling Haaland and Keving De Bruyne ensured an easy night’s work.
Haaland was absolutely sensational up top, and linked with with De Bruyne a number of times throughout the match.
He set up De Bruyne twice, and finally scored himself right at the end having spurned a several good chances. Pep Guardiola hailed the pair straight after the game.
John Stones also got himself on the scoresheet.
It was a statement performance from City, who are now just two points behind Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand, and their destiny is firmly in their hands.
Watching the game last night, it was remarkable to see how easy it was for City.
Arsenal got nowhere near the Citizens, and at the end of the game, former City stopper Given made a damning claim about the Gunners.
He said (BBC Sport live, 26/04, 10:19pm): “Maybe Arsenal didn’t respect City enough. It was 2-0 at half time but it could have been four or five. They were so open and it was chance after chance.
“Arsenal didn’t help themselves.”
Man City blew Arsenal away, and the Gunners’ attitude and approach felt off
City were outstanding last night, but Arsenal were also very disappointing.
Considering this was their chance to get things back on track and the biggest game of the season, their display was extremely underwhelming.
It was as though they turned up hoping not to lose.
They showed very little, and Given may be right with his assessment that they just didn’t respect City enough on the night.
Arsenal were coming up against a team that has won the league in four of the last five seasons, and a team that has been in sensational form over the past couple of months.
They just didn’t apply themselves as they should have.
