By Bonface Mulyungi

The “agony of proximity” hit Arsenal FC like a crescendo on Sunday night after Manchester City beat them 2-1 in a high-stakes EPL run-in match at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola’s side are now three points behind the Gunners with a game in hand.

For three seasons Arsenal has ensured an emotional, psychological, or physical pain caused by being near winning the English Premier League title yet failing to attain it.

Last season, Arsenal finished second behind Liverpool. In the 2023-24 season, Arsenal finished agonisingly second, losing the league to Man City with a paltry 2-point difference.

Again, Man City won the 2022–23 Premier League title with 89 points, followed by Arsenal (81).

Manchester City struck first after a moment of brilliance from Rayan Cherki as a clearing header is cleared far enough and the ball eventually falls to Cherki outside the box.

He then dances his way through the defence before flicking the ball into the far corner.But just 30 seconds after Cherki’s goal, a mistake by Gianluigi Donnarumma granted Arsenal an equaliser.

The Manchester City goalkeeper receives the ball from a throw, and he dithers on the ball far too long as Kai Havertz closes. Eventually, his attempt to clear is deflected into the net by Havertz’s boot.

At halftime the whistle went to signal the end of a very entertaining and well fought first half of football as the match was well poised at 1-1.

In the 65th minute, Erling Haaland, who hasn’t been in the goalscoring form, was once again on target with a potentially significant strike.

Good work from Rodri, who drew defenders to him inside the box as he attacked a cross, misses it and the ball go through to the unmarked Haaland to sweep in to make it 2-1 for City.

Arsenal remaining games: Newcastle (h), Fulham (h), West Ham (a), Burnley (h), Crystal Palace (a).

Man City remaining games: Burnley (a), Everton (a), Brentford (h), Bournemouth (a), Crystal Palace (h – date to be confirmed), Aston Villa (h).