Written by: Randy Chow 🇺🇸
Arsenal ended reigning Premier League champion Manchester City’s 57-consecutive home matches with a goal scored in a 0-0 draw on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
A trip to City’s home stadium was, arguably, the biggest test for Arsenal’s title challenge. City have not lost a home game to Arsenal in nine years, nor lost a home match, period, since November 2022 against Brentford.
City’s best scoring chance came to Nathan Aké in the first half, but the center-back’s attempt was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus had multiple scoring opportunities but missed the target.
City’s captain and midfielder, Kyle Walker, and goalkeeper Ederson missed the contest with injury.
Despite an uneventful and goalless draw, Sunday’s result has huge ramifications for the Premier League title race.
Liverpool, after picking up a 2-1 win over Brighton, improved to top of the league table with 67 points. Arsenal and City are now second and third in the standings, with 65 and 64 points, respectively.
An Arsenal win would have sent it top of the standings, even with Liverpool’s win on Sunday. City winning would send its side second in the table, only a point behind Liverpool, but also two points ahead of Arsenal.
“We’ll take the point,” City manager Pep Guardiola said to Sky Sports about the draw. “It was a tight game … [Arsenal] are fantastic at what they do.”
Only nine games remain in the season, and with only three points separating first, second and third place, one thing is clear: The three teams pursuing glory are each capable of realizing it.