It was a night to forget for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, who were devoured by Manchester City in their crunch title showdown on Wednesday.
The Gunners arrived at the Etihad knowing, realistically, that only a win would suffice against the reigning champions after dropping precious points in three successive matches.
But the Spaniard could only watch on in anguish from the sidelines as his side were torn apart by the deadly duo of Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland, with the former bagging a brace either side of a John Stones header. And Haaland, who assisted both of the midfielder's goals, inevitably plundered one of his own in the final minutes after Rob Holding had notched a consolation for the visitors.
But it wasn't all doom and gloom for Arsenal on Wednesday night. Courtesy of results elsewhere, the Gunners are now guaranteed to qualify for the Champions League - ending a rotten six-year exile that predates both Arteta and his predecessor, Unai Emery.
Although that will feel scant consolation right now considering the Gunners appeared to have the title in their grasp mere weeks ago, sealing a return to Europe's elite knockout competition is a sign of the significant progress that has been made under Arteta, who saw his side implode in the final weeks of the 2021/22 campaign when a top-four finished seemed inevitable.
There is still plenty of work to be done, though, before they can go stride for stride with their title rivals on a regular basis; something which Arteta alluded to after the match.
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“The analysis is clear. The better team won, they were probably at their best, especially in the first half and we were nowhere near our level,” said Arteta after reflecting on the match.
“When that happens, the gap becomes too big. In the first seven minutes all the basic things you have to do against an exceptional team, in terms of competing, in terms of understanding what the game requires, we didn't do it and we got punished.
“They were better in every department. They were more aggressive, they kept the ball better, they won every single duel that happened in the corners. With two passes they were in front of our goal. We conceded from a set play, we conceded from a throw in against us. Too easy in everything really. They deserved to win the game because they were better.”
Arsenal remain two points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League standings after their midweek defeat. However, with Pep Guardiola's side still boasting two games in hand on their title rivals, City are now the red-hot favourites to retain their domestic crown.
