The match between Manchester City and Arsenal ends 2-2. Guardiola’s team equalizes thanks to Stones’ goal during stoppage time. Nothing doing for Arteta’s Arsenal, which had turned around Haaland’s 1-0 in the first half thanks to Calafiori and Gabriel.
PREMIER LEAGUE STANDINGS – THE GOAL BY CALAFIORI
Goals, emotions, and excitement. There is everything in Manchester City-Arsenal, which did not disappoint expectations: it ended 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola’s team avoiding their first defeat of the season thanks to Stones’ goal in the 98th minute, who was good at resolving a scramble following a corner kick. A point gained for the citizens, and two lost for Arsenal, which played the entire second half with ten men due to Trossard’s expulsion before halftime. For the Gunners, who would have moved past City to the top of the standings had they won, the beautiful goal from Riccardo Calafiori was not enough, who, in his first start in the Premier League, beat Ederson with a shot from outside the box.
First Haaland, then the Gunners’ comeback
At the Etihad, anything can happen from the first minutes. Manchester City only needs 9 minutes to unlock the match thanks to Erling Haaland. Launched forward by Savinho, the Norwegian beats Raya and finds the 100th goal in a sky blue shirt in 105 appearances. The game seems to be going easily for City, which comes close to doubling the score with Gundogan (hit the post from a free kick), but then Rodri’s injury (who left in tears midway through the first half) and the two Arsenal goals change the face of the match. The Gunners’ comeback is initiated in the first half by Riccardo Calafiori, who, launched as a starter by Arteta, finds a beautiful goal with a left-footed shot from outside the box. Before halftime, Arsenal finds the 2-1: following a free kick, Gabriel rises above everyone and beats Ederson with a header. However, the script of the match changes again because Arsenal is reduced to 10 men due to Trossard’s expulsion: already booked earlier, the former Brighton player receives a second yellow card (not without controversy) for kicking the ball away after a foul was committed.
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Calafiori, first goal in Premier against Man City
Stones breaks Arsenal’s resistance
Thanks to their numerical superiority, Manchester City dominates the second half. Raya is called to make several extraordinary saves: first in the 58th minute he saves against Haaland’s header, then he blocks two shots from Gvardiol. Arsenal seems on the brink of victory, but the decisive moment comes in the 98th minute, in the last action of the match. Grealish takes a short corner, passes to Kovacic who shoots and finds Arsenal’s defense clearing the ball, but the ball ends up at Stones’ feet who doesn’t miss.
Arsenal, a nine-year drought at the Etihad
Manchester City thus maintains its unbeaten run this season and the first place in the standings with 13 points, one more than Liverpool and Aston Villa. Arsenal, fourth in the standings with 11 points, continues the drought of victories at the Etihad Stadium: their last success at the citizens’ home was back in 2015.