Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal played out a 0-0 draw in a highly anticipated clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Liverpool were the big winners of the day in the title race as they beat Brighton 2-1 to go top, two points ahead of Arsenal and three clear of City with nine games to play. City dominated possession at Etihad but struggled to make anything of it against a defence that has conceded the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this season.
The best chance of the game came in the first half when Nathan Ake shouldered a corner at Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from close range. The Dutchman would go off with a calf problem not long after but despite that further denting an injury-hit City backline, Arsenal failed to majorly trouble stand-in goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
He was eventually made to work by substitute Leandro Trossard in the final minutes from an angle after City replacement Jeremy Doku had twice fired off target. Erling Haaland barely had a kick and missed the ball completely when Josko Gvardiol’s knockdown seemed to open it up for him with six minutes to play.
The result extended City’s unbeaten home record to a remarkable 39 games, while Arsenal – who had lost their last eight here in all competitions – may see positives in taking a point away. But after beating City in both the Community Shield and in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium, their failure to do the treble over Pep Guardiola’s men means they are now two points behind Liverpool.
City’s failure to find a winner means they are still yet to beat any of the top five in the Premier League this season. The Premier League champions now need favours from both Liverpool and Arsenal if they are to become the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight titles.
Manchester City are back in action at the Etihad Stadium when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. They then visit Crystal Palace on Saturday, April 6. Arsenal, meanwhile, host Luton Town at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. They then visit Brighton on Saturday.
