Defending like this puts your chances of winning at somewhere around zero. Mikel Arteta had claimed Arsenal’s results did not match up to the percentages on the eve of this tie but he will surely be exasperated at the ease with which Manchester City were able to move closer to a fourth straight Carabao Cup success.

Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez, in particular, benefited from shoddiness at the back while Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte were able to help themselves too. Alexandre Lacazette had equalised for Arsenal but they were not even able to fully enjoy a lively return from Gabriel Martinelli, who departed with an injury. The pall of gloom around the Emirates remains as thick as it has ever been.

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