Chronicle Editor
Manchester City dropped their first points of the Premier League season to last season’s title rivals Arsenal after a dramatic last-minute equaliser from John Stones.
Erling Haaland scored his 100th Manchester City goal in a fierce game that encapsulates the rivalry between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola.
The game between the two favourites to lift the Premier League trophy began in a rather thuggish and physical manner with Kai Havertz lifting an elbow to Rodri, and Erling Haaland flying into William Saliba.
But amongst the tough feel of the game, Savinho showed technical skill to beat his man and play through Haaland who poked the ball past David Raya to net his 100th Manchester City goal in his 105th game for the club – matching a record held by Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
City fans around the stadium thought for a moment that Ilkay Gundogan had doubled their lead with free-kick travelling past the gloves of Raya and crashing against the post.
The noise from the fans and the intensity of the game had created quite the atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium.
Midway through the first half, Pep Guardiola was forced into making a change as Rodri picked up an injury and the effect of that change was felt just minutes later as Arsenal found an equaliser through Riccardo Calafiori who curled the ball past Ederson after a contentious free kick.
The visitors were growing into the game and looked the more threatening side, taking the lead in the 45th minute after a towering header from Gabriel.
The defender had missed his previous chance but City couldn’t stop the number six a second time.
Despite being behind, the reigning Premier League champions had something to be happy about going into the break, as Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card after a foul on Bernardo Silva and kicking the ball away
City’s first chance of the second half came through Bernardo Silva who felt he should have done better with his half-volley attempt from inside the Arsenal penalty area.
The ball fell to the Portuguese international after Haaland’s supernatural leap over William Saliba forced a save from Raya.
Groans were heard around the Etihad Stadium from Manchester City fans as they watched the Blues pass the ball around Arsenal’s penalty area for the entirety of the second half with no real breakthrough despite the additions of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
The Arsenal defence was limiting the champions to shots from range by the defenders as they stood firm in their penalty area, just waiting for the full-time whistle from Michael Oliver.
Ruben Dias had a shot in the 85th minute as the ball rolled to him on the edge of the box but his effort went high and wide and was met with a chorus of groans from the home supporters.
Mikel Arteta’s side were using every part of their being to bring the full-time whistle closer with many players going down with cramps and David Raya holding the ball at every given chance.
Right at the death Manchester City find an equaliser through the Barnsley Beckenbauer John Stones. Mateo Kovacic’s deflected shot found the number five who stuck a foot out to get the equalising goal in the last minute of the game. — CityExtra.co.uk
Online Reporter