City fall to a 5-1 defeat against Arsenal: is their season over?

Student becomes teacher as the Premier League title holders are put to the sword again

Christopher Jenkins
3rd February 2025
Image Credit: Football.Ua, Wikimedia Commons
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal defeat Manchester City in what was a genuinely dismal performance from the title holders, riddled with mistakes and poor defending and an attack which offered very little going forwards. What lies ahead for Pep's Citeh?

Facing a tough Champions League match against Real Madrid and a string of tough games against Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham, it may be time for fans of the Manchester club to write them off and focus on achieving Champions League football for next season where they can rebuild. 

Ever since losing Rodri in mid October they haven’t looked the same, the injury kicked off a string of poor performances, where teams ran riot against the City backline. They’ve currently conceded more goals after 23 games than they did all of last season in the Premier League, and the squad appears to have lost all confidence.

Since losing Rodri in mid-October, they haven't looked the same

Phil Foden looks a completely different player from last season, and key defenders seem unable to string together a pass. Arsenal's attack has hardly been lethal this season, and yet seemed to have chance after chance today. The Cityzens defence needs major reinforcement, but with no clear signs of life coming from the January signings, the summer transfer window seems to be the only hope for this squad. 

A run in the cup seems secondary to the need to secure Champions League qualification

Guardiola is a man who prides himself on his efficiently built sides that can deliver consistent results, but without the confidence his teams usually have, they seem unable to compete with sides that on paper may be much worse. Although we have seen occasional flashes of brilliance this season, it seems unlikely that a win against a Real Madrid side that currently are European champions is on the cards and a run in the cup seems secondary to the need to secure Champions League qualification for next year.

Nobody would’ve seen it at the start of the season but it seems as though City fans’ only hope is now to sit and wait, hope for UCL football and some summer signings which could mean they return to their winning ways next year. 

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