Arsenal analysis: Denis Suarez role becomes clearer as Matteo Guendouzi shines in Man City defeat

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James Olley3 February 2019

Sergio Aguero scored his 14th Manchester City hat-trick as the champions beat Arsenal 3-1 to cut Liverpool's Premier League lead to two points.

Aguero, who opened the scoring after just 46 seconds, netted all three from close range as City bounced back from their midweek defeat Newcastle with a convincing display at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal did pose some awkward questions after finding a quick equaliser through Laurent Koscielny, but two more from Aguero either side of the break put the result beyond doubt.

There was an element of controversy over Aguero's third after the ball struck his arm as he bundled it in, but it was not deemed deliberate.

City eased through the final stages to put the onus on Liverpool to respond at West Ham on Monday.

Standard Sport's James Olley was at Etihad Stadium to assess the key talking points from Etihad Stadium...

Arsenal’s top four hopes suffer significant setback

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It was always going to be a tall order to beat champions Manchester City at Etihad Stadium but this defeat is a significant blow in the context of their top four hopes given Chelsea and Manchester United both won this weekend. The Gunners are now sixth in the table – the lowest position they have occupied since September 29 (when they beat Watford to go fifth) – and must rally after a chastening defeat. Emery will take heart from the team’s first-half resilience but they were outplayed after the restart, barely mustering an attack of note as City tightened their grip.

Arsenal undone by poor defending yet again

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City are obviously capable of running riot against any team but Arsenal’s tendency to give opponents a helping hand undermined their efforts once more. Alex Iwobi dallied on the ball in the opening minute before Sergio Aguero was left unmarked to head home the first of his three goals. Raheem Sterling evaded Stephan Lichtsteiner with ease to set up City’s other two; the Gunners have now conceded 18 goals in eight matches against the ‘Big Six’ this season. In the Premier League, they have been breached 36 times. That is five more than Leicester, three more than Crystal Palace and Newcastle and the same number as Brighton.

Guendouzi impresses again in Manchester

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The 19-year-old was one of Arsenal’s standout performers in December’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United and he turned in another fine individual display in what is becoming a hugely impressive debut season in English football. The midfield was always going to be a key battleground here to give Arsenal a foothold in the game and he did just that, winning possession effectively and not misplacing one of his 22 first-half passes. Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat leaves the Gunners this week but in his short time at the club, unearthing Guendouzi for just £7million could end up being a long-lasting legacy.

Suarez starts life on the right

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Arsenal were only able to bring in one player during last month’s transfer window but Denis Suarez was made to wait until the 66th-minute for this debut. There has been some conjecture about exactly where the 25-year-old will line-up, especially given Emery has employed a midfield diamond of late, but his first outing was on the right of something approximating a 4-2-3-1 shape as Arsenal chased the game. This was a difficult occasion to make his mark, however, as City controlled possession to see the match out in comfortable fashion.

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