something about City seems off. Even earlier on in the season when people were talking about City, they were being cited as perhaps the best PL team in history. I think as Haaland was breaking records left right centre. But despite this your goal difference is only 2 above us (and we are a team many pundits are still not convinced by).
Some of my takes that can explain the current league table. Some will not be popular mind you.
1. Arsenals pairing of Saliba and Gabriel is the best centre half pairing int he league. Both young, quick athletes playing in a natural LCB RCB pairing and with no rotation they vibe and have an understanding playing together week to week. Contrast to the amount of different pairings Pep utilizes, its one thing to have squad depth, but there are disadvantages to having a different pairing every game. City would be better if Pep picks his best pairing and plays them week to week.
2. No real pace on the flanks, no wide forwards who like to dribble and pass their man. Grealish, Mahrez and Foden dont relish being one on one with their opposite marker. They dont drive forward and attack the goal. Saka and Martinelli by contrast relish trying to take their man on and drive into the box.
3. fullback options. I think our collective options at fullback White/Tomiyasu Zinchenko/Tierney are better than yours, aided by the fact Cancelo is out of form and Walker is 33.
4. Haaland has made you more one dimensional. Does not get involved in the buildup and is only there for the end of the move. Weve seen Liverpool have success with a non-prolific Firmino, and we did well with Jesus and still consider him critical to our play. Yourselves used to win all the time without a striker at all.
Final take, most controversial of all. I reckon our first team is better than yours, mainly due to the fact every player in our first team is built for the position they play in. Where as Foden for instance is more of a midfielder but gets played as a left forward. Foden isnt a better left forward than Martinelli.
