This time David Luiz wasn't to blame. The Brazil defender learnt from his old mistakes where he gave away two goals and was sent off in the same fixture last season.
On this occasion it was Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's own instruction which saw Luiz rampage into the City half to open space up for Pep Guardiola's side to run into, before the home team scored seconds later through Raheem Sterling.
Indeed, Arteta's scream of 'David! Go!' while waving his arms towards City's half could be heard among those inside the Etihad - and most likely those at home who chose to watch without the artificial crowd sound on.
I'm sure David Luiz going very all-or-nothing in the City half to try to win the ball back played a big part in that, although not exactly directly. Need to have another look but I'm sure it opened things up for City (not that it was a huge error of judgement)
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) October 17, 2020
and Bernardo at centre-back just before that. Can see why Luiz felt, "if I win this, we're in"
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) October 17, 2020
Journalists too were confused at Luiz's decision to make an 'all or nothing' run into the opposition half. It has become a trademark of his career over the past few years but more often than not lands him in trouble.
Arteta himself knows the strengths of Luiz and what he's able to bring to the Arsenal team; an astute passing range, set piece experience and most important of all leadership qualities.
While it may seem like a small moment in the grand scheme of the move which led to City's goal, it should be noted that Guardiola fielding the likes of Bernando Silva at centre back would have given Luiz an added incentive to take such risks.
The game itself hinged on the contributions of City goalkeeper Ederson. His distribution throughout was second to none and he made a string of saves to deny Arsenal an equaliser that they came close to getting throughout.
It was a game where Arteta's side should have taken advantage with Liverpool and Chelsea dropping points earlier in the day.
The hybrid system that Arsenal have played all season will take some time getting used to for both the players and supporters. It certainly keeps the opposition guessing as the Gunners go from 5-4-1 in defence to a more simplified 4-3-3 in attack.
Indeed, this Arsenal side should be given plenty of time to undergo the process that Arteta is trying to implement. An FA Cup has already been brought home through his intelligent cup tactics, but now the main focus from the north London giants should on maintaining a level of consistency which can eventually secure them a much sought-after spot in the top four.
