Man City vs Arsenal, Guardiola vs Arteta, Champions vs runners-up.The big game of the weekend that we were all looking forward to in the Premier League delivered.
It’s a fixture that has become a real rivalry in the last few seasons with Arsenal missing out on the title to City in the last two seasons, as Arsenal chase their first title since the Wenger era, and City aim to win the title an unprecedented 5 times in a row.
It was a fiery game that started with advantage City, after Haaland broke through and used the outside of his left foot to pass the ball past Raya to give the home team the lead within 10 minutes. It was a great finish that almost looked to easy, and it marked Haaland’s 100th Premier League goal. City looked like they were in control, but then Rodri went off with an injury and Calafiori scored an amazing goal to bring the game even.
That took City off their stride, and Arsenal then took the lead with a Gabriel header from a corner. It was Arsenal’s time to have the advantage, but this quickly came with a knockback when Trossard was sent off right before halftime.
If there is any team you don’t want to play with 10 men it is probably Man City, but Arsenal’s organisation was so strong that they kept City at bay as the clock ticked on. City piled on pressure but moved the ball too slow, and Arsenal kept City at bay. You could feel the tension from the stadium as the clock went into injury time and Arsenal players were going down to try to waste time.
Arsenal were also kicking the ball out of play or high up the pitch where nobody was there to receive it, which you never normally see from Arteta’s team, but it gave the time to organise.
Then Man City had a corner in the final seconds, and as would happen if it was a movie script, John Stones latched onto a rebound to put the ball in the net and rescue a point for City. It was clearly hugely frustrating for Arteta and the Arsenal camp, but it was still a huge result that could change the title race.
To take a point from the Etihad with 10-men is a big confidence boost and I think any Arsenal fan would take it at half time when they were down to 10 men. At the full-time whistle it would have been frustrating, especially after Trossard was punished with a second yellow for kicking the ball away and Doku did the same thing without punishment. So there might have a feeling of injustice.
The title race could be an exciting one this year! The winter will give us a great perspective on who might go on to win it, when December and January time comes. #mmlove