Premier League

ARSENAL owner Stan Kroenke’s son, Josh, went into the dressing room following Wednesday’s 3-1 home defeat to Premier League title rivals, Manchester City.The Gunners went into the title clash three points ahead of their rivals, while also holding a game in hand.
Arsenal Director Josh Kroenke – son of owner Stan – visited the dressing room after the loss to Man CityCredit: Getty
Arsenal have dropped to second in the Prem tableCredit: Getty
Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring for Man City, but the defending champions were pegged back close to half-time with Bukayo Saka converting from 12 yards.
City did, however, regain composure in the second 45, with Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland extending the scoreline.
After the game, Arsenal owner Kroenke’s son, Josh, visited what was undoubtedly a disappointed dressing room.
And the American’s post-match presence has fans saying the same thing: He’s apologising for the lack of January signings.
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
Arsenal brought in £53.3million worth of players in the winter window.
The Gunners signed Jorginho from London rivals Chelsea, and Leandro Trossard from Brighton.
Arsenal also explored the Italian market and came back with highly-rated Poland international Jakub Kiwior from Spezia.
One fan said: “Thats not where we need him!
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
“We needed him to spend Money in January!!!”
Another tweeted: “Hopefully to apologize for not spending.”
A third added: “Transfer window big singing would’ve made the difference.”
While others have asked if he can play as a striker, with fans discontent with Eddie Nketiah’s contribution, despite the Hale End academy product scoring four league goals in his last eight.
The loss to Man City saw Mikel Arteta’s men drop to second, only by goal difference.
The Gunners do still have a game in hand – but there’s no guarantee they’ll win it.
A potential Prem title decider will take place at City’s Etihad home on April 26. More

PEP GUARDIOLA had to rip up his ‘horrible’ tactics as Manchester City shoved Arsenal off the Prem summit.After a feisty first-half in which Kevin De Bruyne had a touchline bust-up with Guardiola’s old No 2 Mikel Arteta, the  Etihad chief made key tactical changes at the interval to spark the surge to a 3-1 win.
Pep Guardiola changed his ‘soft’ plan as it ‘wasn’t working’ but was unhappy with Man City’s resulting style, even though it brought victoryCredit: PA
Scorer Erling Haaland, right, and Nathan Ake, centre, celebrate with Bernardo Silva, whose midfield role was changed after the intervalCredit: AP
Goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland sent the champions to the  top of the table for the first time since November on goal difference from the Gunners.
When asked what frustrated him, Guardiola, who switched Bernardo Silva’s position at half-time, replied: “My tactics! 
“Because I decided something new and it was horrible. We suffered. 
“There was only one team on the pitch after we scored our first goal and that was Arsenal.
READ MORE ON MAN CITY
“We couldn’t connect with a pass, we were just playing long balls, no-one was moving and no-one wanted the ball.
“We were soft and my plan was not good.
“We allowed them to play comfortably but in the second-half we were more aggressive and that’s when the quality of our players made the difference.
“This result is so important because we could have come here a few weeks ago eight or nine points behind them and if we lost it would be almost over.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
“Because they have dropped some points it has given us the chance to get closer.
“But the reality is that I still consider Arsenal to be top of the league because they have played one game less than us.”
Disappointed Arsenal boss Arteta complained: “We are all feeling very down because we had the game in our control until we conceded that second goal.
“We had the feeling we could beat them but we gave them three goals and you just cannot make those errors at the level this match was played at.
“The difference was in the boxes. They had three chances and put them away. We had big opportunities and we didn’t take them.
“That’s the disappointment. It’s exceptionally difficult to play at the level City require you to play at.
“But if you give them three goals in the way we did, the margin for error is almost zero. It’s a shame because we really had them.”
De Bruyne, who pushed Arteta after he kicked the ball away,  fired City ahead before Bukayo’s Saka’s first-half penalty levelled it for the Gunners.
Grealish and Haaland then struck to put the Etihad club in top spot.
Haaland now has 26 league goals — equalling Sergio Aguero’s best Prem tally, from 2014-15, with 15 games still to go.
He said: “We are the champions. We made some small adjustments at half-time.
“We have to play a little bit more like this at times and that’s exactly what we did.  I am so proud of every single guy here and I’m so happy to be here.
“We needed this one but we have to go on a run because that’s what City should do.”
When asked can City now go on a winning run, Haaland added: “I’ll do my best and I’ll make sure everyone else will too.”
Fellow scorer Grealish said: “It was massive. It’s a great night and that’s what I’ve wanted to do.
“I feel like I’ve been playing well. To score here tonight was so important and I’m absolutely buzzing.
“I was going to take my top off but I realised I was already on a yellow card so good job I didn’t.
“We had to win. Everyone was so concentrated  and  was in the mood and staying off my phone.”
Read More on The Sun
Arsenal are now winless in their last four games in all competitions — and have also lost their last 11 Prem games against City.
Captain Martin Odegaard said: “The game is decided in the boxes and we were not sharp enough, in front of the goal and in our own as well. They were better.” More