Just like we did against Everton earlier the same week Arsenal took the lead only to be on the wrong end of another 2-1 defeat, this time at Manchester City.
In terms of Arsenal's chances it had been seen as potential a huge week in the title race as a tally of four to six points would have kept us in more serious contention. However to come out of two away games, albeit tough ones, with nothing to show for it is very disheartening as we dropped down to fourth and nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
There was some controversy surrounding the two City goals - scored by Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling - with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feeling that both efforts should have been ruled out for offside. Whether or not he has a case will be looked into later in the blog, but either way it doesn't hide the fact that we were poor and City still deserved their win.
Theo Walcott gave us an early lead after just four minutes, but we only had six shots and didn't offer too much in attack. City levelled through Sane within two minutes of the restart and, even at that stage, it looked like the hosts would go on to win it. So it proved as Sterling hit the winner 19 minutes from time.
We always knew City would be tough opponents, especially on their own turf and despite the fact they have struggled a bit of late. Although the last two results hurt, it is the performances that disappoint me most. Had we put in two heroic efforts and been unfortunate it would have been easier to take. Instead we started strongly, but couldn't make the most of it or maintain it and let both Everton and City back into the respective matches.
To go from topping the table following our 3-1 victory over Stoke to then dropping to fourth after back-to-back away defeats is very frustrating. It is a big shame we couldn't maintain the strong start we had made to the game following Walcott's opener. The forward latched onto Alexis Sanchez's fine through ball before taking a touch and slotting a shot beyond Claudio Bravo in the City goal.
City nearly responded immediately but Sterling headed just wide from close range. Yaya Toure also missed with a headed effort soon after, while at the other end Walcott volleyed over before nodding his next effort wide.
Arsenal were able to hold onto their slender 1-0 lead going in at the break, but the complexion of the game soon changed inside the opening few minutes of the second half. Sane got on the end of David Silva's clipped pass over the top before beating Petr Cech with a calm finish. Having watched the replays back, I genuinely believe Sane's goal should have been ruled out as he was narrowly offside as Silva played the pass. It was very frustrating, but we should have just moved on and tried to find a positive response. But instead we seemed to let City control for large spells for the rest of the contest. We kept our shape well at times, but City continued to press and it was only a matter of time before they found their winning goal.
Cech reacted well to keep out Sane from close range before later producing a fine save to tip away Kevin de Bruyne's deflected strike. But then came the killer blow for the Gunners as de Bruyne's fine long pass found Sterling, who ran into the box before beating Cech with a low shot at his near post. Silva was stood in front of Cech in an offside position as the Sterling hit his shot, but that was in some ways a much difficult one to call. I don't think Silva really affected the goal all that much and the referee was probably right to have awarded that one.
It got worse for the Gunners as substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced off through injury just over 10 minutes after coming on.
City very nearly added a third before the end, but de Bruyne's close-range effort hit a post. Arsenal did have a chance to level the scores inside the final 10 minutes, but Walcott chipped an effort off target when maybe he should have crossed it and City held on to take all three points.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Manchester City fan Joe Barnes was happy with the impact of goalscorer Sane after what was an important result for his side.
"I think it was definitely a game of two halves," said Barnes. "It was still the same ropey City defensively!
"It was good to see Sane starting to repay some of the money we spent on him as he appears to have bags of talent and pace. Pep (Guardiola) needs to overhaul the defence, build it round (John) Stones.
"Arsenal's soft underbelly was exposed for the second time in a week. Three points were much needed to keep City in the hunt for the title."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
So where do we go from here? We have the foundations of a good squad, but maybe adding a few fresh faces in the transfer window could give us some renewed hope. Defender Shkodran Mustafi also needs to hurry up and return from injury as we have seemed less solid at the back in his absence.
Nine points behind leaders Chelsea and looking at an all too familiar story of title hopes fading. But we can't think like that as if we do our hopes will fade even faster. It is going to be an uphill task from now on and we need to just focus on our own football and try and bounce back to winning ways as soon as possible, starting with the visit of West Brom on Boxing Day.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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