In a dramatic Premier League encounter at the Etihad, Arsenal came agonisingly close to a statement victory over Manchester City, only for a last-minute equaliser from John Stones to deny them. The match ended 2-2, with the Gunners feeling they were robbed of glory after Leandro Trossard’s controversial red card left them with 10 men for the entire second half. While City rescued a point, their grip on the title is starting to look less secure as Arsenal continue to close the gap at the top of the table.
The match was a battle of intense physicality, drama, and controversy, with both teams trading blows in what could be a pivotal moment in the title race. City took the lead through their talisman, Erling Haaland, who netted his 100th goal for the club in just his 105th appearance. Haaland, typically clinical, latched onto a pinpoint pass from Savinho and shrugged off Gabriel Magalhães to put City ahead early.
Arsenal’s response was swift and spectacular. Italian full-back Riccardo Calafiori, making his full debut for the Gunners, delivered a moment of brilliance, curling a stunning shot from distance into the top corner to level the score. It was a dream debut for Calafiori, whose performance throughout the game justified Mikel Arteta’s decision to start him in such a high-stakes encounter.
Just before half-time, Arsenal capitalised on their momentum, with Gabriel Magalhães heading in from a corner to give them a 2-1 lead. The Gunners have become a formidable force from set-pieces under Arteta, and this goal showcased their continued excellence in that area. However, as the first half drew to a close, the game took a dramatic turn when Trossard received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after a foul, reducing Arsenal to 10 men.
The decision was met with outrage from Arsenal’s players and fans alike, especially given that similar offences by City players had gone unpunished earlier in the game. Trossard’s dismissal left the Gunners facing an uphill battle in the second half, as City dominated possession and applied relentless pressure in search of an equaliser.
Arsenal, to their credit, defended heroically, with David Raya making a string of crucial saves to keep Haaland and Josko Gvardiol at bay. The Gunners’ backline, marshalled by William Saliba and Gabriel, held firm under wave after wave of City attacks. For much of the second half, it looked as though Arsenal might hold on for a famous victory, despite their numerical disadvantage.
But deep into stoppage time, City finally found a way through. A short corner routine led to a scramble in the box, and Stones was on hand to slam home the equaliser in the seventh minute of added time, breaking Arsenal’s hearts and salvaging a point for the reigning champions.
Despite the late disappointment, Arsenal will take plenty of positives from this match. They became the first team this season to take points off City and showed immense resilience in the face of adversity. The performance of Calafiori on his full debut was particularly encouraging, and the Gunners can also take heart from their ability to compete toe-to-toe with City, even with 10 men for much of the match.
For City, questions are starting to arise about their ability to maintain their dominance. This draw, following a string of difficult performances, suggests that their grip on the title might be loosening, with Arsenal now just a few points behind in the standings. The rivalry between these two clubs is clearly intensifying, and this match could prove to be a turning point in the title race.
As for Arsenal, Arteta’s men have sent a clear message: they are no longer just challengers, but genuine contenders for the Premier League crown. With the gap between the two clubs narrowing, the race for the title is well and truly on.
Line-ups:
- Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka (c), Martinelli, Trossard
- Subs: Neto, White, Kiwior, Jorginho, Jesus, Sterling, Nwaneri
- Man City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Silva, Savinho, Doku, Haaland
- Subs: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Foden
This thrilling 2-2 draw sets the stage for an exciting Premier League season, with Arsenal proving that they are ready to challenge Manchester City’s dominance at the top. With upcoming matches against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup and Leicester City in the league, Arsenal have the chance to build on this momentum and continue their pursuit of the title
