Premier League football is back! And for all that has changed in the world over the past three months or so, some things never do change; Arsenal are still the Arsenal we knew and 'loved' before, and David Luiz is still the same David Luiz.
So after a hiatus of 100 days, commencing the day that Mikel Arteta fell ill and tested positive for COVID-19, the manager made his first return visit to the Etihad; and with a team selection full of surprises.
I'm not going to dwell too much on what's been going on in the world in the interim, as it dominates our every waking minute, but here's a summary of what has been in particular touching the hearts and minds of Arsenal fans in that time:
- When can fans come back to the grounds?
- Will Aubameyang stay (based on last night, why would he)? And what news on a contract for Saka?
- How much will the Board support the Head Coach in the transfer window?
- How much is Arteta prepared to put his faith in the very talented current cohort of youngsters?
- How much has the extra time Arteta had with the players on the training ground made a difference?
- What the hell is going on with Mesut Ozil?
- #BLM (and #FPP)
And so to the match. And once more team selection was a great surprise to all. No Luiz, Pepe or Lacazette in the side. A start for Mari alongside Mustafi. Saka on the right wing and Willock at 10 - and Ozil nowhere to be seen.
There are rumours that Arteta called the entire first team squad to an important Zoom meeting a week ago, and that two players had said that they couldn't make it... what else they could have been doing I just can't imagine!?! I'm not going to speculate on who those two were - I'll leave that to your imagination. Whether that had an impact on team selection is pure conjecture, but I have my suspicions...
I'm also advised (unofficially) that the squad is not at all united. It's splintered along stars/youngsters lines, several players want to leave for numerous reasons - including not having been able to settle in London - and for all the talk of unity things are rather less rosy in the camp than is being portrayed. But I'd imagine that things will be a lot clearer by the time next season commences, and we may see a lot of 'churn'.
I'd been reading on social media that Arsenal fans were optimistic going into this run in, and specifically into the City game: 'It's a good time to play them.' ' I'm hearing that we're fitter than them.' 'They'll be more interested in the Champions League.' 'Arteta has had extra time with them on the training pitch, and that's going to help.' 'Arteta knows City well, so he'll know how to counteract them.' 'We can make a real run for the Champions League places. Especially with City's impending ban opening up 5th place.'
This was all, I was sure, a load of over-optimistic claptrap... and when I read Arsenal fans predictions of victory at the Etihad I had to chip in in order to sound notes of caution. I was in the minority, but I wasn't afraid to throw in a good dose of realism to the conversation.
'Be realistic', I posted. 'Do you genuinely believe that we can go there and win? They're miles ahead of us - much better players and with an acknowledged style of play.' And I wasn't the least surprised to be - along with a few other 'grounded' supporters - proved correct.
Early on, Arsenal held their own, and even created the odd half-chance or two. There was a plan, and it looked promising for a short while. But the early injury to Xhaka disrupted the side - Ceballos brings something else to the party - and Mari's calf/ankle problem in the 24th minute proved to be the turning point.
In truth, by midway through the first half the tide was already beginning to turn, as City began to pin Arsenal back. Much as I suspected would happen... And it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough occurred. That it should be as a result of a mistake by an Arsenal centre-back can of course be no surprise to us, with Luiz having come on to replace Mari and partner Mustafi. As it was, Luiz's half-hearted attempt to clear a De Bruyne through ball led to the ball skipping up off his thigh and into the path of Sterling, who hammered the ball past Leno from close range. The goalkeeper had made three decent saves in the previous 5 minutes, but he had no chance with Sterling's effort. The annoying thing was that this was in first half stoppage time - of course a psychologically difficult time to concede.
Early in the second half, as City expanded further on their dominance with even Ederson playing defence-splitting long balls from his own area, Luiz was caught out again. Mahrez got on his wrong side and instead of merely shadowing him into the area as best he could, Luiz put his hand on the Algerian's shoulder and dragged him back. Penalty (the 4th conceded by Luiz this season and remarkably similar to his attempt to haul Salah back at Anfield in August), inevitable red card, and ball buried in the back of the net by De Bruyne.
(Luiz's contract is up in 12 days. He is banned for three matches, and that takes him past the option date. He has cost the club a fortune. For all the current centre-back injuries and woes, I'd tell him that it's time up now. He can go.)
At this point, thankfully, City declared. The match was over as a contest and they treated the remaining 40 minutes as a fitness/training session. Thank goodness for that! But there was still time - after Ederson had collided sickeningly with young left back Garcia to force the latter off on a stretcher (and thus, with both sides down to 10 men and thus perhaps giving Arsenal a slim chance of getting back into the game - I never really believed it possible to be honest) - for future England star Phil Foden to score the third after a stunning interchange between Sterling and substitute Aguero had cut Arsenal apart.
Thus the scoreline better represented the way the game had gone. And illustrated the gulf between the sides. City march on, and Arsenal's heirachy have an awful lot of work to do.
Afterwards, there were cryptic references from both Arteta and Luiz (brave enough to come out and do an interview) to what's going on behind the scenes. We're unlikely to ever find out the truth, but it's clear that a new broom needs to be taken to the Arsenal squad and that the road back is long.
I hold out little hope for the rest of the season. We need to start again. For me, the priority must be to tie Saka down and give more kids a run in the side. Auba is surely off to greener pastures - I know that I would be.
I'll be back on Sunday with a post-Brighton post. In the meantime, stay safe; it's all we Arsenal fans have got.
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