TOPS
After missing Manchester City-Arsenal in 2023, Saliba was indeed present during the draw (0-0) between the Sky Blues and the Gunners on this Easter Sunday. The difference was felt over the entire 90 minutes. As in all legendary hinges, there is one “cleaner” than the other, often responsible for doing the dirty work. Here, Gabriel cleans up the London defense, while the Frenchman, calmer, is responsible for the recovery. The two acolytes had the difficult task of taking care of a man named Erling Haaland and succeeded brilliantly. Always rougher, the Brazilian repelled countless balls that were lying around in the final meters. And in turn, they passed the baton to the marking of the Norwegian giant, still short. Imperial in the air, impeccable on the feet, they delivered an XXL performance, a 20/20 rewarded with a clean sheet. The perfect copy.
This type of summit meeting is the perfect time to gauge the progress of a team from one season to the next. This Sunday evening, Arsenal proved that they are no longer the same, they are better. After winning the first leg 1-0 in the absence of Rodri and De Bruyne, this time both were present for this new test. In April 2023, the Gunners were swept aside severely 4-1 in the title race, this Sunday the scenario could not repeat itself. So with much more maturity, Arteta’s men approached this confrontation with much more seriousness, they looked City in the eyes without ever trembling. Thanks to a perfect plan and concerned and diligent players, they held the house at the Ethiad Stadium, and made the ogre citizen doubt. It was not enough to secure their first victory on Mancunian soil since 2015. But at least the worst has been avoided, Arsenal is still in the running to win the English crown.
FLOPS
Erling Haaland was expected to turn the corner in this new duel at the top of the Premier League, but ultimately he disappointed. Already silent at Anfield in the draw (1-1) between Liverpool and Manchester City, the “Cyborg” – as he is called – seems to be experiencing some bugs. He did not lack will and redoubled his efforts to show himself. Except that this Sunday, he came across someone stronger than him. Whether in the air or on the ground, every ball aimed at him was blocked by Gabriel or Saliba. Even when he tried to look for the ball lower down, he was unable to turn around, chased by the shadows of the London centrals. The high point of his evening came when, after missing a goal-scoring chance in front of the line, he was knocked unconscious by a head clash with Saliba. He stayed on the ground for a few minutes, knocked out by the Blues defender. A good summary of his evening.
Whether it was Martin Odegaard or Kevin De Bruyne, the two conductors of their respective collectives played the wrong melody. The maestros even made false notes, repeatedly missing their usually lethal deep passes. Rare enough to note. The Gunners captain was tasked with more defensive work, while the Sky Blues captain was not helped by his teammates who stood still. Faced with well grouped blocks, the musicians were in the wrong rhythm, always in the tempo of the defenders. The tune sung in Manchester rang false.
