City star Bernardo Silva also noted the difference in Arsenal’s approach to the contest, with wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus frequently dropping so deep that the visitors effectively formed a back-six to protect their penalty area.

“Last April they went man to man for the whole game and when you do that it is a bit of a fifty-fifty,” the Portuguese told Sky Sports. “Today it was a different [Arsenal] team, more experience. They have young players that are now one year more experienced. They felt what it was to play here last season and today they were much better.”