Arsenal – Manchester City: Live report from the Premier League

It is doubtful whether it is possible to find a more accurate definition of the term “game of the season” than the one that awaits us tonight (Wednesday, 21:30, Sport1), when Arsenal will host Manchester City in a complete match of the 12th round in the Premier League. The Gunners lead by three points over the reigning champions, with a game in hand, with a win over Pep Guardiola and his players bringing them very close to a first championship since 2003/04. On the other hand, a victory for City will jump them to the top, and from there – it is doubtful whether Mikel Arteta’s young team is able to return.

Arsenal comes to their biggest game of the season in a very bad mood that includes three consecutive games without a win – the first ended in a 1:0 loss to the Citizens in the FA Cup, then a 1:0 loss to Everton, and a disappointing 1:1 draw against Brentford in the last round. The champion, on the other hand, recovered from the loss to Tottenham with an important 1:3 over Aston Villa, and in its last five games in all formats it counts four victories. Add to that six consecutive victories over Arsenal in all competitions, and you got the favorite, at least on paper.

The big news for the Gunners comes from Thomas Partey. About three hours before the opening whistle, it became clear that the midfielder is suffering from a muscle injury and will probably not be available to Mikel Arteta, when his place was taken by Jorginho, who came into the lineup for the first time since arriving from Chelsea. Arteta also made a change at right-back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu preferred over Ben White. Gabriel Jesus has increased his pace recently but is still not included in the squad, Gabriel Martinelli will be preferred over Andrew Trussard and will be placed next to Eddie Anketier and Bocayo Saka in the front row. On the other hand, John Stones is missing from Pep, while Erling Holland, who was injured against Aston Villa and was replaced at halftime, started alongside Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.

A huge battle in London. Holland | Reuters

the progress of the game

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, the game of the season has started

Holland broke through the wing and left it to Mahrez, the Algerian passed an inaccurate cross into the box

Guardiola’s surprise: according to the first minutes, the left-back in City’s defensive formation is none other than Bernardo Silva

Anketia tried to threaten the frame, the ball was blocked by Dias

Mahrez put Holland in, the striker kicked wide and missed

Zinchenko with a wonderful lift into the box, Ankatia hit outside the frame

0:1 to Manchester City! Tomiyasu tried to return a ball to Ramsdale, de Brauna got ahead of the goalkeeper and bounced over him into the net

Tomiyasu almost made up for the error with a goal at the other end, but kicked over the bar

Odegaard left Saka free in front of Ederson, but the Englishman lingered and lost

The first yellow card in the match – to Walker’s duty

Another yellow for City, this time for Ederson for wasting time

Penalty for Arsenal. Ake cleared Anketia’s kick off the line, Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot following a foul by Ederson on the striker that occurred just after the kick. borderline decision

Arsenal at 1:1! Saka rolled the penalty into the corner and brought the Gunners back into the picture

Manchester City already with a third yellow in the first half, this time for Bernardo Silva

Rodri hit the frame, the ball hit Ake’s leg and from there to the crossbar. 1:1 at halftime

The composition of the groups

Arsenal

Coach: Mikel Arteta

The game setup

4:3:3

• 
  ninth. Tomiyasu
• 
  Gabriel
• 
  and. Saliva
• 
  A. Zinchenko

• 
  third. Jacka
• 
  M. Odgor
• 
  Jorginho

• 
  B. Sake
• 
  A. Anketia
• 
  third. Martinelli

Substitutes bench:

Manchester city

Coach: Pep Guardiola

The game setup

4:5:1

• 
  K. Walker
• 
  R. Dias
• 
  N. Aka
• 
  B. Silva

• 
  R. rhyme
• 
  Rhodri
• 
  K. de Brauna
• 
  A. Gondwan
• 
  third. Grealish

Substitutes bench:

In the next round, this coming Saturday, Arsenal will host Aston Villa. City will host Nottingham Forest.