It was ruthless, brutal and embarrassing.
And it proved that Arsenal cannot sleep walk through the season with Freddie Ljungberg in temporary charge. Sadly, Ljungberg looks out of his depth and betrayed by too many players who do not look as if they care.
It might also have put off one of the prime candidates as Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, will have looked on from the away dugout and wondered what has become of his old club.
Yes, City were magnificent as Kevin De Bruyne delivered a wonderful masterclass but Arsenal made it easy. Bernd Leno made a string of brilliant saves to keep the score down and City declared at half time. Job done.
There were too many Arsenal players disrespecting the shirt with performances lacking any sort of pride or passion and, ultimately, a legendary former player unable to motivate a dressing room which looks in utter disarray.
(Image: Getty Images)
The overwhelming uncertainty is not helping Ljungberg as the club do not seem to have a plan but they also looked a shambles epitomised by the third goal when they were down to ten men as Bukayo Saka was not ready to replace Sead Kolasinac who had gone off injured.
Forget the top four, if Arsenal carry on like this they will soon find themselves in a relegation fight. The defence was a shambles, captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks straight out of the Jeremy Corbyn school of leadership and Mesut Ozil threw a strop when substituted.
Ozil knew he would be in the spotlight after bravely standing up for the Muslim Uighur community on social media then let himself down on the pitch by doing nothing, trudging off slowly to the frustration of the fans and then kicking away a glove in anger. Pathetic.
Sat high up in the directors’ box, Josh Kroenke – with Sir Chips Keswick next to him which may dispel some rumours about the Arsenal chairman’s position on the board – watched on and will know they cannot wait. They must act now.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Everton caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson beat Chelsea and drew at Old Trafford in his first two games, Jose Mourinho has won five of his first six Premier League games at Tottenham and Ljungberg cannot get a tune out of this lot.
They were booed off at half time, those few who remained in the stadium showed some pride by chanting “Arsenal, Arsenal” while the tannoy played “Driving Home Christmas.” Frankly, Santa had already dished out some presents in the form of Arsenal’s defending.
We always knew it would not finish 0-0, but City started at a million miles-an-hour. City keeper Ederson denying Gabriel Martinelli at one end, Fernandinho then running 60 yards unchallenged before feeding Gabriel Jesus who Calum Chambers allowed to cut inside and pull back a cross.
In rushed De Bruyne who, without breaking stride, despatched a wonderful half volley into the roof of the net. What technique. It was brilliant but Arsenal’s defence was AWOL after just 90 seconds.
The second goal after 16 minutes was a sensational team effort. Rodri to Phil Foden to De Bruyne and his pull back to Raheem Sterling who was presented with a simple tap-in thanks to Arsenal’s defenders going missing again.
More boos, more frustration, more apathy from Arsenal players. There was more fight in Guardiola who was going crazy on the touchline even at 2-0 at the sight of one misplaced pass. That is perfection compared to Arsenal’s comedy capers.
After 40 minutes, De Bruyne made it three. He was given acres of space as Arsenal stood off him, Matteo Guendouzi failed to make a challenge and De Bruyne had time to pick his spot and despatch a brilliant low shot into the far corner.
De Bruyne was denied a hat trick before half time by a sensational save from Leno who pushed a 20 yard drive onto the post. Leno made super saves in the second half while De Bruyne, Sterling, Jesus and Riyad Mahrez all wasted big openings.
What was most worrying in the second half was the complete lack of fight or reaction. Aubameyang barely touched the ball, Nicolas Pepe kept tripping over his own feet and the only shot they managed on target was Martinelli’s effort in the first minute.
Do not blame Ljungberg for all of this. Arsenal lack characters, leaders and pride. The players need to take a long hard look at themselves as they are dragging a once great club down with them.
