The manager could not hide his delight after Arsenal limited their title rivals to a solitary shot on target, becoming the first side in three years to keep a clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a defensive display described as “unique” by Sky Sports’ Gary Neville.
“I think we have made a big step,” Arteta added, referencing Arsenal’s 4-1 loss on their last visit. “We experienced what happened here last year and we have come across in a different way.”
William Saliba, the player whose injury absence proved so costly during last year’s run-in, was key to it, shackling Erling Haaland brilliantly with help from his centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes. In three games against those two this season, including the Community Shield, the Norwegian has not even had a shot on target.
“A giant on the pitch,” was how Neville described Saliba as he named him player of the match. It was apt. City dominated possession but Saliba dominated Arsenal’s defensive third, anticipating, tackling, clearing danger and winning all but two of his 10 duels.
His physical prowess shone through as he took it in turns with Gabriel to get tight to Haaland. But it is his coolness and composure under pressure that makes him special.
Saliba won possession more times than any one else on the pitch, sometimes in seemingly effortless style, and often following it up with an extra touch amid the storm to find a team-mate.
Some Arsenal fans may wonder whether they could have taken three points rather than one, given City’s injury issues. But last year’s result showed the folly of an attack-minded approach at the Etihad.
This time, they showed maturity and resolve instead. “At this big place, not a lot of teams have done what we have done today,” added Arteta. His grin said the rest.
Haaland took the heat but De Bruyne didn’t deliver
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne duels for the ball with Arsenal’s Gabriel and William Saliba
Erling Haaland was in Roy Keane’s sights after Man City’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal and the striker was once again ineffective against the Gunners. William Saliba and Gabriel have found a way to keep him quiet this season.
But perhaps his main problem was the supply into him just wasn’t at the usual standard. Kevin De Bruyne only passed to him twice and the Belgian – who had been out of action for club and country since coming off against Liverpool 21 days ago – looked way off his usual standards.
His supporters can point to the fact he was the top chance creator in the game with four of his passes leading to a shot but this was not De Bruyne at his best. His passing accuracy of 71 per cent – only Haaland had worse among City players – was an indicator of that. He lost possession at least 10 times more than any other player on the pitch. The usual sharpness wasn’t there.
It would not have been a surprise to have seen him withdrawn on the hour mark when Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic were taken off.
Of course, De Bruyne, like Haaland, gets judged more harshly than most because of the outrageous levels he’s set in the past. His return from his injury issues at the start of 2024 was so impressive. He hit the ground running. But City need him to re-find his form quickly for this finale where there is no margin for error and they need their key men clicking.
