SETTABLOID

It’s worth remembering that Arsenal took on Man City without Martin Odegaard, and yet they were just seconds away from victory.

The Gunners now have the quality and the confidence to play in a manner of ways. They don’t always need to blow their opponents away; they can also play ugly.

The Gunners ‘will feel like City’s equals now, and rightly so, having developed the aggressive streak that had been missing in the past two campaigns.’

That’s the sign of a championship contender, and Arsenal certainly have what it takes to win the title. And while City will obviously be tough opponents, they’re not invincible.

Right back – Josh Nichols

Centre back – Jakub Kiwior

Centre back – Gabriel

In his first week on the job at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta summoned Under-16s coach Dan Micciche to his office. The pair exchanged pleasantries in Italian, before Arteta turned to business and said “so, I hear you’ve got a player for me…”

The Spaniard had been told by Edu of a 12-year-old making waves in the Under-16s team and wanted to hear more for himself. Prior to joining Arsenal, Micciche had worked at the FA and used Phil Foden and Cole Palmer as reference points to describe the potential of this versatile pre-teen. With his interest suitably piqued, Arteta asked Micciche to compile a video compilation of the wonderkid. His name: Ethan Nwaneri.

For most, Nwaneri would have popped on to the radar when he became the youngest player in Premier League history 2022. At Arsenal, though, they’ve known they have something special for a lot longer.

After a full season with the Under-16s at just 13-years-old, Nwaneri began playing up at Under-18s level he was 14. This in itself is not always the guarantee of quality it would seem. In such a transformative time of their lives, many players will play up an age group or two if they experience earlier physical development than their peers. With Nwaneri, however, there was another trait which stood out.

Arsenal academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly has opened up following his Premier League debut in what was an intense draw with title rivals Manchester City.

The 17-year-old full-back was named on the bench for the third Premier League game in a row on Sunday afternoon. But was involved in the action even before making his way onto the field.

With Arsenal defending their 2-1 lead with ten men, the teenager was shown a yellow card for reportedly telling goalkeeper David Raya to sit down and waste some time. Lewis-Skelly made his debut for the final few minutes of the game, but Arsenal suffered late heartbreak with John Stones finding a stoppage-time equaliser.

The game included some flashpoints, with Lewis-Skelly involved in one full-time with City striker Erling Haaland. The youngster was trying to pull his teammates away from Haaland when the Norwegian striker grabbed his arm and appeared to ask him who he was.

Arsenal appear to have made quite the impact on a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester City. The Gunners fought relentlessly to take a point off their bitter rivals at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, though it would have been all three had John Stones not scored a late equaliser.

The dismissal of Leandro Trossard significantly derailed Mikel Arteta’s game plan with the Arsenal boss feeling forced into holding on to what his side already had. That involved Bukayo Saka being subbed off at half time with Ben White coming on in his place.

Arsenal won’t be unhappy with their points tally at this stage of the Premier League season despite finding themselves fourth in the standings.

The Gunners have three wins, a draw and a loss apiece from five games but have already faced tricky away trips to Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

In their previous league encounter, they were held to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a late goal from John Stones, who parried the ball into the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the game in stoppage time.

Despite the result, Arsenal played out of their skins and several players were at the top of their game.

One of them was Gabriel Magalhaes, who capped off a valiant display at the back with a goal at the other end. And Stuart Pearce feels the Arsenal man has a bit of a nasty side to him that he really appreciates.

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori scored his first goal on his first start for the club against Premier League holders Manchester City. A few weeks before his first start, he said that he would offer ‘more’ to the team if he played.

A left footed curler from the edge of the box pulled Arsenal level in the game on Sunday. Gabriel then put the Gunners ahead before the break. Leandro Trossard was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, the second time this has happened to the Gunners this season.

Arsenal played with 10 men for the whole second half, and shut out City till a late goal from John Stones rescued a point for the league leaders. After the game, Manchester City players made a whole lot of comments on Arsenal’s approach to the match.

After an eventful weekend, Arsenal can turn their action to the Carabao Cup when they take on Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night.

The Gunners came so close to a historic result against Manchester City on Sunday before John Stones’ last gasp equaliser. The drama did not end there, though.

Erling Haaland collided with Thomas Partey and Gabriel before telling Mikel Arteta to “be humble” at the full-time whistle. The Spaniard has declined to comment on the issue, but it has surely lit a fire under the rivalry between Arsenal and their title rivals.

The Gunners will now look to move on from the late blow with a relatively kind Carabao Cup third round tie against League One Bolton. There is little friendly about the absentee list currently facing Arteta though.

Mikel Arteta is set to face the press at London Colney ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium.

It was an eventful weekend for the Arsenal manager who saw his side heroically defend a 2-1 lead at Manchester City before John Stones equalised in the dying moments of the game.

The drama did not end after the whistle as City striker Erling Haaland was captured telling Arteta to “be humble” prompting clashes between both sets of players.

Arteta will have to now turn his focus to the Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers where his side could be without Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori after all three struggled with injuries at the Etihad Stadium.

More positive news though is that Ethan Nwaneri could be in line to make his first senior competitive start for the Gunners.

Arsenal came very close to winning at Manchester City and taking a massive step forward in the title, yet a point at the Etihad Stadium remains a very good reward for their efforts. It certainly will not feel like it in the immediate aftermath or even perhaps after a couple of days. But come May, hopefully, it will.

Mikel Arteta struck a frustrated figure as Leandro Trossard was sent off; he will now miss their next game at home to Bolton. However, he can have little complaint as the Belgian clearly kicked the ball away after the referee’s whistle had gone, a good second after – which for many might be too short, but with the Declan Rice red card so recent in the memory, there is a fair argument that he should have been smarter.