Mikel Arteta must plot Arsenal reset as stage is set for 'new league' after wasteful display | OneFootball

The Premier League title race may come down to goal difference, but Arsenal must focus on getting back to winning ways

At about 8.10pm on Wednesday night, the Arsenal players might have considered reaching for the remote.

Within five minutes Erling Haaland had scored, benefitting from Burnley's brief - and calamitous - attempts at a high line.

By that stage, Rayan Cherki had already had a strike brilliantly tipped onto the woodwork. Nico O'Reilly and Bernardo Silva each had an effort too. Haaland then had a chance to add a swift second.

In a title race that could well come down to goal difference, Arsenal might have taken City only winning by three or four after that start.

City had 28 shots and registered an xG of 3.4 in an incredibly wasteful display. This was not the dominant, statement win it could - and should - have been.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring after five minutes against Burnley, though Man City failed to add to their lead

PA

Five matches to go and Arsenal and City are locked on the same number of points, wins, draws, defeats, and with the same goal difference.

City are top due to scoring three more goals this season, but the margins are razor thin.

After defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal must now reset. Arteta gave the players two days off in the hope of helping them do so.

That should provide the Gunners with a very narrow focus ahead of home matches against Newcastle and Fulham, two teams Arsenal have not always found it easy against.

After such a poor run of form, Arsenal are in no position to take any results for granted.

Had City put six past Burnley, the goal difference situation would have become a more pressing concern too for Arteta and his players.

Instead, Arsenal have to an extent been let off the hook. They can afford to now somewhat park that factor for the time being and focus only on winning.

Speaking after defeat at City, Arteta indicated that he would not be be surprised if the title race came down to more dropped points, rather than goal difference.

"Let's see what happens, it's the Premier League," Arteta said.

"First of all, to win a game in this league, it's extremely tough. The fixtures that we both have, it's going to be tough for both of them.

"We would have already 80 points or 85 points like happened in other seasons. This is not the case. We will prepare game by game and learn from what happened today and do better."

Arsenal have lost successive Premier League matches

Getty

Arsenal do not have goal-difference ground to make up and all that matters now is picking up maximum points from their next two matches.

Moving six points clear of City before Pep Guardiola's side travel to Everton would pile the pressure on their title rivals, who up to this point having been playing with house money.

All the scrutiny has been on Arsenal in recent months. City were largely discounted and could play with a sense of freedom in their pursuit of the Gunners.

Now they have pulled level, every misplaced pass and wasted opportunity in front of goal takes on extra significance. Arsenal need to ensure the weight on City's shoulders is as heavy as possible when they take on the Toffees in one of their toughest remaining fixtures.

Calculations over goals scored and the like can be put off for another day. If both sides win their next few matches and that becomes potentially the decisive factor, Arsenal have opportunities down the line.

They should back themselves to put Burnley to the sword and then face Crystal Palace on the final day of the season, three days before the Eagles are potentially in the Conference League final.

For now, Arsenal just need to start winning again. That is far from a given for a side with one victory in their last six matches and for much of that run have barely looked like scoring.

There is also still huge pressure on Arsenal, even with a different dynamic to the title race. They will deserve the barrage of criticism coming their way if this season ends in yet another near miss.

However, perform like they did at the Etihad, particularly with a more fluid attacking lineup now available, and the Gunners should be capable of getting back on track.

Pick up two wins before City next play again in the league and the goal difference talk might even turn out to be irrelevant.