In the much-anticipated Premier League title clash at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City and Liverpool battled to a hard-fought draw, with goals from Erling Haaland and Trent Alexander-Arnold. BD Cricket Match reporters noted the intensity on both sides, but neither team could pull ahead. As the dust settled, Arsenal emerged as the biggest winner of the round, securing victory and claiming the top spot in the league standings. City now sits in second place, with Liverpool close behind in third — forming the leading trio in this season’s title race. One of these three is likely to lift the trophy when all is said and done.

Last season, Guardiola’s Manchester City made history with a treble. Naturally, their aim this year is to defend their crown. However, BD Cricket Match observers believe that among all the coaches Guardiola has faced in his illustrious career, Jürgen Klopp remains his toughest challenge. Even though this current Liverpool side isn’t at its peak, Guardiola’s squad struggled to break them down. Despite having multiple chances, City’s forwards lacked sharpness — perhaps a lingering effect of the recent international break. Their wastefulness in front of goal allowed Alexander-Arnold to snatch a crucial point for Liverpool with a precise late strike.

Meanwhile, Arsenal took full advantage of the stalemate. With a stoppage-time winner from Kai Havertz, the Gunners claimed the top spot in the Premier League. Their control-oriented approach is paying dividends this season, with an average possession rate of 61.1%, up from 59.7% last year. They’ve also conceded the fewest goals and kept the most clean sheets so far. Yet some fans remain skeptical, criticizing the team’s attack for lacking the flair of last season’s dynamic five-man frontline. Now, Arsenal relies more on crosses from the flanks than intricate link-up play.

But this tactical shift shows Mikel Arteta’s growing pragmatism. His priority is now efficiency and sustainability. While last season’s style was aggressive and eye-catching, it drained the players physically. Arsenal competed on just one front last year and still struggled with fatigue. Now fighting on multiple fronts, Arteta knows that maintaining squad fitness is crucial if they want to stay in the title conversation until the final whistle.

City, on the other hand, still boasts the highest possession rate in the league at 62.3%, though this figure has dipped compared to previous years. This subtle decline hints at a waning dominance. So far this season, City has already suffered two league defeats. The absence of Kevin De Bruyne has left a creative void in midfield. Without his pinpoint passes, City’s hallmark possession play becomes ineffective — all the sideways passing without a killer ball is just motion without meaning. At present, only Bernardo Silva consistently delivers quality distribution, and while Haaland still leads the scoring charts, he no longer receives the same service as he did with De Bruyne feeding him chances.

City may have to wait for De Bruyne’s return to truly hit their stride again. While the Manchester City dynasty is firmly established, Guardiola’s real challenge is to sustain it. External rivals are always a threat, but internal cohesion is just as vital. As the saying goes, “make space for the sunshine by letting go of the pain.” Injuries are beyond control, but BD Cricket Match believes City must do everything possible to keep their squad motivated and in top condition. Only then can they hope to defend their crown successfully this season.