What Man City vs Arsenal result means for Liverpool and Arne Slot
Liverpool's victory over Bournemouth on Saturday took the Reds to the top of the Premier League table - but it was never going to last.
That's because no matter what happened between Manchester City and Arsenal in Sunday's huge heavyweight clash, the Reds would drop to second-place given the small points gap between all three teams following their strong starts to the season.
Ahead of kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool sat ahead of Pep Guardiola's side on goal difference and two points ahead of Mikel Arteta's Gunners. At least a draw for City would see them leapfrog the Reds, while a win for the Gunners would see them claim top spot.
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So no matter the result, it was impossible for Liverpool to end the weekend at the top of the Premier League. As it happened, Man City equalized at the death to secure a 2-2 draw, after first-half goals from Arsenal defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel cancelled out Erling Haaland's opener.
It leaves Man City top of the Premier League on 13 points, one ahead of Liverpool, while Arsenal remains a point behind but in fourth-place, with Aston Villa currently ahead of it on goal difference.
Next up for Liverpool is a banana-skin tie away to bottom side Wolves on Saturday, with Gary O'Neil's side yet to pick up its first win of the season following one draw and four defeats from its opening five games.
Before that, however, Man City travel to Newcastle United in the early kick-off, in what looks a tricky test for the reigning champions as they take on a Magpies side who have won three of their first five games and haven't lost at home in its last 10 league fixtures.
Arsenal also take to the field before the Reds next weekend when they take on newly-promoted Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium. Like Wolves, the Foxes are yet to win a single game this season, having drawn three and lost two of their Premier League affairs so far.
But what could influence proceedings is how all three sides must tackle midweek duties in the Carabao Cup ahead of their weekend ties. Man City host Championship side Watford on Tuesday, before Arsenal and Liverpool take on League One outfit Bolton and West Ham, respectively, on Wednesday.
With such tight margins set to decide the Premier League title once again this season, all three hopefuls will see their next fixtures as must-win games, with any slip up potentially being disastrous in the long-term, especially for Liverpool and Arsenal if they wish to keep pace with Man City.