Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in both of their league meetings with Manchester City this season and also became the first team to stop the defending champions from scoring at Etihad Stadium since 2021 after Sunday’s goalless draw, which pushed Liverpool to the summit of the table after their 2-1 win over Brighton earlier in the day.

Manchester City was on a 57-game goal streak at Etihad Stadium before Arsenal’s visit, and the Gunners had kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last year at Emirates Stadium.

The game was greatly hyped as potentially defining a three-way title race between Liverpool, Arsenal, and City, but it provided little excitement in the first 45 minutes as both teams were cautious in approach.

However, Gabriel Jesus had an opportunity early for Arsenal, but he couldn’t get beyond the side netting after chesting down Ben White’s cross. Nathan Aké didn’t get enough contact at the other end when he slightly headed a corner into David Raya’s arms.

Even though Manchester City was enjoying much of the possession, Arsenal was getting the better parts of the scrap chances, with most falling to Gabriel Jesus, who couldn’t make most of it until halftime arrived.

Early in the second half, the hosts, through Mateo Kovacic, curled a chance just wide from distance, and Arsenal created a chance of their own as Gabriel Jesus failed to connect with Bukayo Saka’s dangerous cross across goal.

The rest of the game was mere huff and puff, majorly from City through Doku, De Bruyne, and Haaland, and the cagey contest ended with just one shot on target a piece from each side.

Manchester City are now 3 points behind Liverpool, who defeated Brighton earlier with a 2-1 scoreline, while Arsenal are closer to Jurgen Klopp’s side with only a 2-point gap.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu