Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has delivered a scathing analysis of Manchester City’s current predicament, suggesting that fear has infiltrated the Premier League champions’ ranks as their title defense continues to unravel. Speaking to talkSPORT, Keown highlighted an unprecedented decline that has left Pep Guardiola’s side languishing in seventh place, trailing league leaders Liverpool by a substantial 12 points.
The defending champions’ latest setback, a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, has extended a worrying run of form that has seen them secure just one victory in their last ten matches. This dramatic downturn represents a stunning reversal for a team that dominated English football last season during their historic treble-winning campaign.
Keown, drawing from his extensive Premier League experience, pointed to a fundamental shift in City’s defensive mentality. The once-impenetrable backline that formed the foundation of their success has shown uncharacteristic vulnerability, with fear becoming palpable in their recent performances, particularly evident during the Villa defeat.
The Arsenal legend’s observations extend beyond mere tactical analysis to suggest deeper institutional concerns. He referenced the 130 financial charges hanging over the club, speculating about their potential psychological impact on the squad’s performance. This unprecedented situation has added an extra layer of pressure to an already challenging period for the Manchester club.
The severity of City’s decline has forced a radical reassessment of their season’s objectives. Keown suggests that rather than focusing on defending their title, the club must now prioritize securing Champions League qualification by maintaining their position in the top four. This represents a dramatic shift in expectations for a team that has dominated English football in recent years.
Perhaps most concerning for City supporters is Keown’s assessment that losing has become habitual for the team, with fundamental aspects of their game deteriorating. The defensive solidity that characterized their previous success has eroded, replaced by uncertainty and hesitation that was unthinkable during their dominant periods.
The gap to Liverpool at the top of the table now appears insurmountable, even for a team with City’s resources and experience. Keown’s suggestion that previous City teams might have been capable of overturning such a deficit carries an implicit criticism of the current squad’s mentality and capability.
This crisis of confidence represents uncharted territory for Guardiola’s team, with their usual swagger replaced by uncertainty. The transformation from an unstoppable force to a team struggling to maintain basic performance levels highlights the fine margins between success and failure in elite football.
As City grapple with this unprecedented challenge, the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether they can arrest their decline and salvage their season. The psychological barriers identified by Keown may prove as challenging to overcome as any tactical or technical issues facing the team.
The situation at Manchester City serves as a reminder that even the most successful teams can experience dramatic reversals of fortune, with confidence and momentum proving as crucial as talent and resources in maintaining elite performance levels.
