City sink Arsenal to worst start in history
MANCHESTER: Crestfallen Arsenal players being humiliated in the Premier League has become all-too familiar in recent years. But it’s never been this bad. Not in the 128 years since the club started playing in the English leagues. A 5-0 collapse at Manchester City left Arsenal with three losses without scoring at the start of the season for the first time in its history.
Arsenal’s calamitous performance shouldn’t detract from the ruthless efficiency of City. In the week when the defending champions missed out on signing not only Harry Kane but also Cristiano Ronaldo, the existing attacking options did the job against a side reduced to 10 men after Granit Xhaka’s first-half sending off. There were two goals and an assist from Ferran Torres, and goals from Ilkay Gündoğan, Gabriel Jesus and Rodri. “You have to take risks and you have to be brave on the ball and we didn’t,” Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said. “This is not enough and everyone has to look in the mirror and work as a team and stick together.”
Perhaps losing was expected, if not in this manner. This was Arsenal’s ninth successive league loss to City, stretching back into Arsene Wenger’s reign.
Unai Emery and, now Mikel Arteta, have been brought in to try to revive Arsenal’s fortunes. But the Gunners look further than ever from getting back into the Champions League, let alone winning the title for the first time since 2004.
“Really disappointed with the things that happened on the pitch,” Arteta said. “Obviously the summary after three games and losing the three of them, it doesn’t make it any easier.”
Arteta has had 20 months in the job since being hired away from City where he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
“They trust a lot in Mikel because they spend money to reinforce the team, to do it better,” Guardiola said. “Why you don’t give a little more time to the teams to build what you want to build. The people want success immediately.”
Now, though, Arteta has two weeks of the international break to face more questions about his suitability to continue as Arsenal manager. “It’s time to reflect and look in the mirror, each of us,” Arteta said, “and try to change the dynamic straightaway.”
Leicester win
Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton struck a 76th minute winner as the visitors beat Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road. Jamie Vardy had fired Leicester ahead in the eighth minute before Teemu Pukki brought the home side level from the penalty spot. But Leicester grabbed their second when Vardy set up Albrighton whose deflected shot flew past goalkeeper Tim Krul.
At Brighton, Demarai Gray scored for Everton and Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted a penalty as the Toffees continued their good start with a 2-0 win.
Gray, who joined the Merseyside club from Bayer Leverkusen in July, gave the visitors a 41stminute lead. Joel Veltman gave away a penalty when he clattered into Seamus Coleman and Calvert-Lewin drilled in the spot kick in the 58th minute.
MIKEL ARTETA ARSENAL MANAGER It’s time to reflect, look in the mirror, each of us, and try to change the dynamic straight away because we need pick up results