Arsenal Stun Man City with Arteta's Tactical Brilliance: Is Pep Guardiola's Title Hopes Shaken?

Title race in full swing. And not just because Arsenal defeated the heavily favored, the sure winners, the unstoppable force of Manchester City. It's because the rival of the giant has demonstrated growth in the early stages of the season.

This season, Arsenal had to prove that they have elevated their game after the disappointment of last season, where they spent 248 days at the top of the table but failed to secure victory in the final stretch. Sunday's triumph against the champions is just one of many instances since the summer that showcase their progress.

Grown in two different ways: vertically and horizontally.

Let's first examine the vertical growth. During the two league matches against City last season, Arsenal entered this highly anticipated battle with a significant injury concern, which ultimately impacted their performance. In the February game at the Emirates, Thomas Partey was forced to withdraw due to a late injury, joining Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines. In April, the Gunners visited the Emirates without the presence of William Saliba, who was sidelined for the entire season.

This game was no exception. Bukayo Saka stands as the only player in the Arsenal team who lacks a direct substitute - evidenced by his remarkable record of 87 consecutive games and Jesus being forced into the winger position. In the past, an "old Arsenal" may have been mentally affected by his injury.

However, Mikel Arteta's side has shown greater resilience this season. The lack of depth against City is no longer an issue - highlighted by three substitutes who entered the field and collaborated to secure the victory. Thus, this team demonstrated the ability to achieve success even without Saka.

Gabriel Martinelli stole the spotlight with a well-deserved winning goal in the second half, but it is Kai Havertz's contribution, along with Takehiro Tomiyasu, that holds significance for Arsenal's progress. Their entry into the game with 15 minutes remaining was aimed at providing Arsenal with more height, as pointed out by Gary Neville on co-commentary duty. This marks another aspect of Arsenal's development.

Arsenal, known for their passing game, deviated from their usual strategy for the winning goal. Instead of playing wide, they opted for a long pass through the middle to Tomiyasu. He skillfully directed it to Havertz, who demonstrated composure in locating Martinelli, ultimately sealing the victory.

This moment perfectly represents the enhanced dynamism Arsenal has achieved through their recent signings. Arteta acknowledges this, highlighting in his post-match press conference that the team's squad depth provided the necessary physicality and energy to secure the win.

Arsenal's new players have demonstrated their physicality before. Havertz, in particular, showcased his aerial dominance in his first two games against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, where he outperformed everyone else on the pitch. Additionally, Declan Rice, known for his exceptional ball interception skills, has assisted the team in achieving crucial wins, particularly in away matches. Notably, Arsenal has yet to concede a goal in an away Premier League match this season. On top of that, during their recent encounter on Sunday, they limited the world's best team to just four shots in 94 minutes, an achievement unmatched by any Pep Guardiola side in the past 13 years.

Arsenal's growth, both in terms of physicality and squad depth, has positioned them as a formidable contender against the City team. They have demonstrated their ability to learn from previous seasons and overcome the perception of a one-sided competition. While it may be premature to proclaim Arsenal's recent victory as the beginning of a shift in the league hierarchy, the altercation between players like Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland with Arsenal's coaching staff after the match served as a stark reminder of the Gunners' historic rivalry with another Manchester-based club in the Premier League.

Watch the live Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester City, where Arteta fights against Guardiola. If it resembles previous encounters, then let the title race commence. Don't miss Arsenal's upcoming away game against Chelsea on October 21 at 5.30pm, available for streaming on We.