Manchester City suffered the rare disappointment of a shut out against an impressive Inter Milan in the Champions League – before thoughts turned instantly to Sunday’s colossal Premier League meeting with closest rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners were the last side to keep City out at Etihad Stadium in March when manager Mikel Arteta appeared to set up in a manner designed to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side in a goalless draw.
Inter followed suit with similar results and now City will hope to rediscover their lost cutting edge – albeit for only one game – against the north London side.
Will Arsenal and Arteta adopt a bolder strategy on Sunday or will it be same again?
The stage is set for Erling Haaland to go in search of his 100th goal for Manchester City after being thwarted and shackled by Inter’s iron defensive discipline, the Italians also showing enough threat on the break to encourage Arsenal.
City had their chances, especially two late headed opportunities for substitute Ilkay Gundogan, and they will be confident they will show a more ruthless edge at the weekend.
Arsenal have shown steel and resilience to emerge with wins from two tough away assignments at Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur but this will be their sternest test yet.
The stakes are always huge in this fixture and they will be for both sides once more, with City intent on making up for this rare blank scoresheet to strike a crucial blow in the title race.