Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must prove he’s not a ‘nearly man’

Arteta added: “I am very disappointed not to get a result in the game and in the manner that it happened, but not the performance. The players felt we lost an opportunity but we have the advantage in the league in the next five game, so let’s go.”

Arsenal did miss opportunities, especially in the closing seconds of a nerve-shredding seven minutes of stoppage time when Kai Havertz headed over an open goal. It was a moment of high drama, a mixture of relief on City’s side and agony for the Gunners and the travelling followers.

Arteta’s body language said it all as he slumped to the floor.

Arsenal’s luck deserted them when Eberechi Eze’s second-half shot hit the inside of a post and somehow stayed out, Gabriel suffering similar misfortune later with a header.

Arsenal have now lost back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since December 2023, ending a five-game unbeaten streak in the league against Manchester City in the process – winning two and drawing three.

And they have lost four of their past six matches in all competitions, winning one and drawing one, starting with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in March. They lost just three of their first 49 matches of the season, winning 37 and drawing nine.

Manchester City, in contrast, are unbeaten in their past 10 Premier League games, winning seven and drawing three – their longest run without a league defeat of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s side have history of timing their late runs perfectly over this course and distance. This will only increase concerns for Arsenal and their supporters.

Arteta has, with justification, been accused of conservatism in his approach this season, picking a positive line-up with Eze and Martin Odegaard.

It was, though, hardly a vote of confidence to exclude £64m summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, the striker meant to make the difference, for Arsenal’s biggest game of the season so far.

Panic on the streets of London? Not yet.

Arsenal’s nerves may just be jangling, though, as the chance to get the result that would give them a crucial push towards a first Premier League title since the ‘Invincibles’ of 22 years ago agonisingly escaped.