Manchester City ended 2022 with a fragmented1-1 draw at the Etihad on New Year’s Eve against Frank Lampard’s troubled Everton. The result left Pep Guardiola’s side seven points behind table toppers Arsenal having both played the same number of fixtures.
Things looked a little bleaker for the reigning champions a couple of weeks later, too, after they lost the Manchester derby 2-1 at Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, seemingly in control of the title race.
City responded by going on a formidable run, winning16 of their next 18 league matches, including home and away against Arsenal.
By then, the ever-tightening pressure of Guardiola’s side had constricted Arsenal, causing them to
