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London, United Kingdom | AFP | Beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called on his players to show they can meet the club’s standards after a second humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in five days on Thursday.
City moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League as fresh from claiming their first silverware of the Pep Guardiola era in the League Cup final on Sunday, the visitors scored three times in the opening 33 minutes as Arsenal disintegrated once more in front of a sparse crowd at the Emirates.
Bernardo Silva, David Silva and Leroy Sane were on target to inflict a third straight defeat on Arsenal and leave them 10 points adrift of the Premier League top four in sixth place.
FULL TIME | Three stunning goals in the first half! #afcvcity
? 0-3 ? pic.twitter.com/afyNi4cR7y
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 1, 2018
And a night to forget for the Gunners was complete when £56 million ($79 million) club record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw his second-half penalty saved by Ederson.
“You go up by stairs and come down by the lift, that is what happens with confidence,” said Wenger. “We have to show we have the level to be at Arsenal football club.”
However, the Frenchman again refused to accept it is inevitable that his 22-year stay as boss is coming to a sad end.
“I am confident that nothing is permanent in life,” added Wenger. “It is down to how you respond and the focus and effort you show to turn things around.”
Sub-zero temperatures and the apathy caused by Arsenal’s display at Wembley on Sunday saw thousands of seats go unoccupied at the Emirates.
HIGHLIGHTS from a brilliant 0-3 win in North London! #afcvcity
LONG: https://t.co/81ikqn1Df8
SHORT: https://t.co/s49HcE8vXc pic.twitter.com/UWNuWoM5L1— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 2, 2018
The lines around the pitch were painted blue ahead of kick-off in case an expected snow shower covered the field.
Unfortunately for the home fans that did brave the cold, that was the only novelty on a night of familiar failings from Wenger’s men, who have now lost seven times in 12 games this year.
“Do you want the fans to be happy when you are 3-0 down? I am surprised you are surprised,” continued Wenger.
“It was combination of the weather conditions and the fact we had a big disappointment on Sunday.”
