Rodri’s late winner sinks Arsenal

A new year, but the same old ruthlessness, determination and refusal to accept anything less than a victory from Manchester City.

After 10 wins in a row, Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions appeared set for a point against an Arsenal team reduced to 10 men for more than a third of this turbulent and controversial contest.

Bukayo Saka fired the team ahead before Riyad Mahrez converted a disputed penalty in the second half.
The home team had Gabriel sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, but seemed to have clung on for a deserved point when Rodri popped up to force a winner past Aaron Ramsdale in stoppage time.
City celebrated hard as they went 11 points clear at the top.

They have two weeks to recharge before they take on Chelsea, with only the inconvenience of an FA Cup tie at Swindon to distract them.

But Arsenal should take credit, too, for their fighting display.
They took the lead in the 31st minute.

Ben White sprang the attack, reading City’s intentions and stepping out of central defence to beat Kevin de Bruyne to the ball.

Arsenal threaded passes through midfield to Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney, the axis for so much of their creative work.

Tierney opted to deliver his cross low and early.

As he did, Lacazette stepped across Nathan Ake to obscure his view and pin him out of play as Saka darted inside the from the right and swept the ball into the bottom corner with a left-foot finish.
City had not registered a shot on target, although they did squander two clear openings.

Gabriel Jesus headed wide from a corner and Dias ought to have done better with a free header at the near post.

Raheem Sterling picked him out expertly from the right as Arsenal lost track of Dias after clearing a corner.

His glancing effort flashed wide and the City centre half held his head.
In between these chances, Arsenal claimed a penalty for a foul by Ederson as he slid out to challenge Odegaard and foil a slick move.

Referee Stuart Attwell awarded a corner, although on closer examination any contact on the ball was minimal.

Odegaard seemed to get there first, if only by a split second, hooking his left foot around the ball as the goalkeeper kicked him.

VAR Jarred Gillett mulled it over before backing Attwell.
The officials were a man down at this stage.

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis was a late withdrawal and fourth official Kevin Friend spent the first half on the line with a flag.

Arsenal reacted angrily to a forceful challenge by Rodri but ref Attwell gave a corner.

Then, seconds later, Manchester City were at the other end celebrating the softest of penalties.
Bernardo Silva ran at Xhaka who stuck out a leg and Bernardo tumbled over it.

Again, Attwell was not convinced, waving play on until sent to his monitor by VAR Gillett.

Perhaps Xhaka’s little tug on Silva’s shirt as he was on the way down made all the difference because the referee changed his mind, pointed to the spot and unleashed two utterly mad minutes.

Mahrez waited, remained focused and despatched the spot-kick into the net.

Seconds later, there was confusion in the City defence and Aymeric Laporte headed the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Hoever, Ake’s quick recovery and sliding clearance saved the day.
How Martinelli missed the rebound is a mystery. — Dailymail.