It may be still early in the season; but make no mistake; the psychological impact of this victory would have sent reverberations around the league & beyond. Arsenal will now feel they can win the league; something that was suspected all along bit now seems that bit closer to reality.
Strangely; Man City looked a slightly subdued version of themselves; and as the match progressed into the second half; it seemed like Arsenal were growing the stronger and with greater conviction. It could be the absence of Rodri; the best defensive midfielder int he world; as Rico Lewis did not quite stamp his mark at his tender age; but I think the biggest mistake Pep Guardiola made was playing Bernardo Silva in a deeper pivot; thus robbing the team of some much-needed creativity upfront.
Mikel Arteta also out-classed his master by making the better substitutions; with Leandro Trossard replaced with the instantly-effective Gabriel Martinelli; and Takehiro Tomiyasu & Kai Havertz also proving the Gunners' strength in depth these days. In fact, it was all four substitutes who combined for the vital goal; as Arsenal's belief & energy in the end proved too much to handle.
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