Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg admits defeat to Manchester City is a giant psychological blow which might be tough for his former team to get well from.
The Gunners suffered an enormous setback within the Premier League title race on Sunday as they were beaten 2-1 by their closest rivals on the Etihad.
Rayan Cherki opened the scoring with an excellent early goal, before Kai Havertz equalised with a bizarre one just two minutes later.
The German charged down City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italian’s attempted clearance spooned into the back of the web.
There was not much in it and each teams created probabilities, but Erling Haaland accomplished the scoring on 65 minutes, ending off a counter-attack in typically ruthless fashion.
Arsenal had a probability to attract level again on the death but Havertz put his free header within the penalty box over the bar.
Mikel Arteta’s team stays three points clear at the highest of the table, but Manchester City have a game in hand and may leapfrog the Gunners in the event that they win at Burnley on Wednesday.
Ljungberg, who won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, admits the loss might be a tough one to take mentally and the prospect of one other failed title race might be difficult for the players to take care of.
‘I believe it’ll be big,’ the Swede told ViaPlay when asked how big a psychological blow the defeat might be for Arsenal.
‘In fact they’re skilled football players they usually must take care of it. But they’ve been on top for thus, so long they usually’ve had history from different seasons, been called “bottlers”.
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‘Obviously I live in London, they’ve been talking about this now for the last two or three weeks. Their fans have been nervous, it’s been a talking point.
‘It’s tough for them, but at the identical time, you’ve gotten to change on and hope City drop points somewhere. The major thing is you focus on your individual game, you are taking the points that’s needed if City slip up. But what City did today, I used to be impressed.’
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, who also played for Manchester City at the top of his profession, feels Arsenal are failing to bridge the experience gap to their rivals relating to winning titles.
There now’s a really real probability that Arteta’s side will finish second for the fourth season on the bounce.
‘The experience in this era is every part,’ said the enduring goalkeeper. ‘Understanding that even when there’s a bit of bump here and there, you possibly can still win it.
‘Arsenal don’t have it. It’s 4 consecutive years they find themselves in this case they usually still haven’t managed to get it over the road.’
The Gunners still have five Premier League games to play and there stays the prospect that the destination of the title could come right down to goal difference.
After City go to Burnley on Wednesday night, Arsenal are next in motion at home against Newcastle on Saturday evening.
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