Arsenal escaped the Etihad with a 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Sunday evening, with a resolute display which stifled the champions.

City has been the best team in world football for a number of years and have repeatedly been the measuring stick for sides across Europe.

This season, Arsenal have come away with four points from the two Premier League games between the sides, giving them a chance to go all the way. The Gunners also have four points against Liverpool in the league this season.

In all likelihood, Arsenal probably had to go to the Etihad and win to be considered favourites for the league title, but a loss would have likely given the Gunners too high a mountain to climb given they have several difficult games remaining.

On the whole, it was a tense game with very few opportunities for both sides. City dominated the possession and Arsenal were content to sit back and soak up the pressure, restricting them to very few clear chances.

Arsenal themselves had a few openings in transition but didn’t execute well enough – something they’ll need to improve on for the rest of the season.

Across the two league games, the Gunners have limited City to just two shots on target this season, both of which were from corners.

The rock-solid defence, marshalled by William Saliba and Gabriel with Declan Rice sitting just ahead, has given Arsenal the platform to have a chance in every game they play. In the league, they’ve conceded just four league goals in 2024 so far.

That same platform is the reason they were able to beat Porto in the Champions League despite being thwarted in attack.

And it’s the same platform that gives them a chance against Bayern Munich, who look set to miss out on their first Bundesliga league title in 10 years.

To win the Premier League and Champions League, Arsenal will need their forwards to get the goals, but the defence will always give them a chance regardless of who they play.

After a midweek date with Luton, they head to the Amex to take on European hopefuls Brighton on Saturday (5.30pm). Then comes the visit of Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday (8pm).