Alan Shearer has attempted to put his finger on where Arsenal went wrong against Manchester City - and he has a theory.

The Gunners were beaten 3-1 by the Citizens at the Etihad on the weekend, but perhaps did better than expected.

It was feared Arsenal would get blown away by Manchester City, considering the fact they've done that to everyone bar Everton so far this season.

They were beaten comprehensively, but put up a good fight, and even threatened to get back into the game at one point, when Alexandre Lacazette reduced the deficit before Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to put the match to bed.

Arsenal didn't close down Manchester City as a team (
Image:
BBC)

Providing analysis on the fixture, Shearer explained that ultimately Arsenal had the right idea to combat Man City, in that they attempted to match their pressing play.

But given the fact this isn't Arsene Wenger's usual style of play - and therefore it would have only been introduced to the training ground recently - the players didn't have enough time in which to get it right.

Alan Shearer explains why Arsenal's attempt at pressing play failed (
Image:
Newcastle United)

"They went in to try and press them high - which I admire them trying - but at times, the Arsenal players weren't all on the same page," said the former England international on Match of the Day.

"You cannot press every time the ball goes back to the defender or the goalkeeper.

John Stones battles for the ball with Alexis Sanchez on the weekend (
Image:
REUTERS)

"When you go, you have to go as a team, you can't go in twos and threes - especially against this Manchester City team, who are very comfortable playing, that's the way they want to play, and they are excellent at it.

"They get picked off time and time again and it happened for the vast majority of the game."

Manchester City won their tenth Premier League game of the season against Arsenal (
Image:
EPA)

Shearer points out that at a later point in the game, Alexis Sanchez is seen looking for his teammates to close down the City defence with him.

"By the time the players do come and try to support him, it's too late," Shearer adds. "They're jogging around. When you go, you've got to go full pelt otherwise this will happen."

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