Jesus had a quiet evening against his former side (Picture: Getty)
Ian Wright believes Gabriel Jesus and Arsenal missed their ‘only chance’ of getting at Manchester City early on in their Premier League title showdown.
City eased to a 4-1 over the Gunners on Wednesday evening with Kevin de Bruyne breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes.
John Stones doubled the lead just before half-time before de Bruyne struck again on 54 minutes, set up by Erling Haaland for the second time that evening. Haaland got in on the act late on, scoring his 49th goal of the season deep into injury time.
Arsenal pulled one back through Rob Holding late on but failed to truly trouble City on a night where their Premier League title challenge shuddered to a halt.
City allowed the visitors very few openings but former Arsenal striker Wright highlighted one moment in the first-half with the game scoreless where his old side could have potentially changed the game.
With Arsenal building down the right, Jesus was pictured out on the left flank rather than making himself available inside the box.
‘What is was, it was the only way you were going to get something off them [City],’ Wright told Match of the Day.
Arsenal failed to trouble City at the Etihad (Picture: Getty)
‘You look where Jesus is [out on the left] and this is the only way Arsenal are going to get any sort of half chance. They did finally break through at one stage and then you look at that [no Arsenal players in the City box].
‘That is where you want your striker because you are not going to get too many opportunities where are you going to be able to break into City and do that. That was five minutes in, you have to take it to put them on the back foot.’
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table is now just two points with City having two games in hand, leaving the title race in their hands.
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The Gunners also face a tough test away to Newcastle United next weekend with focus now shifting to that game.
‘I don’t know what is going to be required,’ Arteta said of the title race in his post-match press conference.
‘For sure we have to first lift the players up, because they suffered tonight and it was a difficult one to swallow. We’ll lift them up tomorrow and do everything we’ve done so far so well in the next match to earn the right to win [the next game]. That’s where we have to start right now.’
MORE : Alan Shearer says ‘unplayable’ Manchester City duo ‘bullied’ Arsenal pair during 4-1 thrashing
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Arsenal failed to open City up on a tough night at the Emirates.