Manchester City Archives - US Sports News

Declan Rice Shines as Arsenal Breeze Past Bournemouth in PL Title Race

Arsenal secured another crucial three points in the Premier League title race against Bournemouth early this morning thanks to a massive performance by Declan Rice.

The Gunners hosted Bournemouth in the early game on the weekend. Andoni Iraola's team came in looking to play spoiler, but Mikel Arteta's side had other plans. Arsenal was on top of Bournemouth from kick-off with chance after chance. The Cherries did well to keep Arsenal at bay for most of the first half despite facing numerous shots.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring just on the edge of halftime after Mark Travers fouled Kai Havertz in the 18-yard box. After a lengthy VAR check, Saka gave Travers the eyes for his 16th league goal of the season.

Bournemouth had some decent chances in the second half, including a goal disallowed by VAR. Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal some breathing room with a 70th-minute goal assisted by Declan Rice. The midfielder provided the cherry on top in the 97th-minute capping off an impressive performance.

The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Manchester City, though as we know the reigning champions have an extra game in hand. Pep Guardiola's side hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers at 12:30 p.m. ET. Wolves won the reverse fixture 2-1 in September, and did a double over the Cityzens back in the 2019-20 season. Though, fans know just how lethal Manchester City are in the business end of the season.

Officially official 🧤
David Raya wins the Premier League Golden Glove award ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lZihE7Q0Dp
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 4, 2024

Declan Rice Shines as Arsenal Breeze Past Bournemouth in PL Title Race

Goalkeeper David Raya officially won the Premier League Golden Glove keeping the most clean sheets in the league. It seems like forever ago when there was a goalkeeper controversy at the club. Mikel Arteta's faith in the Spanish GK has been repaid after dropping fan-favorite Aaron Ramsdale earlier in the season. Fans were on board after Raya's performance in the Champions League penalty shootout against Porto, but now he's got an award to put in his cabinet.

City aside, Arsenal needs to do its job for the rest of the season. The Gunners have a trip to Old Trafford next weekend and close out the season against Everton at home.

1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

The One Transfer Manchester City Are Said to Regret Sanctioning

Manchester City overhauled its squad at the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season after a treble-winning campaign. Notable players like Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte went to the Saudi Pro League, while youngster Cole Palmer is the favorite for Young Player of the Year at Chelsea.

Though, it's another departure that has Manchester City regretting signing off on. According to Barcelona news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Man City manager Pep Guardiola misses and regrets selling midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

The German midfielder was a stalwart for the club in his 188 appearances for the club. He notably scored the Premier League title winner for Man City in the 2021/22 season against Aston Villa completing a remarkable comeback.

Gundogan departed for Barcelona at the start of the season on a free transfer. Man City certainly haven't lacked midfield options bringing in Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes from Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively, but it's understandable why Guardiola would miss Gundogan's intangibles. Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri as a midfield played a massive part in the treble last season.

Man City is currently a point off Arsenal in the Premier League title race with four matches remaining, but the club does have a game in hand over its North London competitor. If Manchester City wins its remaining games, it will win an unprecedented four league titles in a row. Yet another feather in the cap of what's been the most dominant run in the league's history.

There were questions entering and throughout the season whether Man City would come into the season with the same hunger. Man City has trailed both Arsenal and Liverpool at different points in the season, but if all goes according to plan those days in second and third place will be a formality. A double is also on the cards with an FA Cup final rematch set with rivals Manchester United. However, City failed to win the Carabao Cup and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Real Madrid.

Fans won't be disappointed at all if the season ends with a league and cup double, but perhaps Guardiola wonders what could've been if Gundogan wasn't sanctioned to leave.