Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal (Haaland 9′, Stones 90’+8 | Calafiori 22′, Gabriel 45’+1, Trossard red card 45’+8)
John Stones struck in the 98th minute against 10-man Arsenal to steal a point for Manchester City in an enthralling top-of-table-clash.
The Gunners appeared on course for one of the finest results of Mikel Arteta’s reign after having Leandro Trossard sent off on the stroke of half-time only to have their hearts broken at the end.
City went into an early lead after Savinho burst through Arsenal’s defences and teed up Erling Haaland, who made no mistake when toe-poking past David Raya.
But the challengers hit back with gusto. First when Riccardo Calafiori curled a delightful left-footed shot past Ederson after Thomas Partey’s quick-thinking had freed Gabriel Martinelli down the wing.
And then as Gabriel Magalhaes ghosted into the back-post and thundered a header home from Bukayo Saka’s corner in a near-identical replica of his winner at Tottenham last week.
There were controversial moments aplenty, with Kai Havertz escaping sanction despite swinging an arm at Rodri and then the City midfielder limping off in agony later after going down under pressure from Thomas Partey at a corner.
"Saka takes… GABRIEL'S IN THERE!"
Arsenal lead at the Etihad!
pic.twitter.com/MdliWu94MY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
But the momentum of the game turned on its head when Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card in the eighth minute of first-half injury time for carelessly kicking the ball away.
Nevertheless, a supreme rearguard effort from Arsenal kept City at bay until Stones bundled home at the death.
Man City
Ederson: Could do little for Riccardo Calafiori’s stunning equaliser which sailed past him into the top corner. His lack of physicality was exposed by Arsenal’s clever corner routine 5/10
Josko Gvardiol: Tested David Raya’s cat-like reflexes with two clean strikes in the second half 6/10
Manuel Akanji: Did a lot without really doing anything of note 6/10
Ruben Dias: Saw far too much of the ball in the final third as City struggled to break down 10-man Arsenal 6/10
Kyle Walker: Was far too close to Gabriel for Arsenal’s second goal. Kept Gabriel Martinelli in his back pocket for most of the game, however 6/10
Ilkay Gundogan: Hit the post with a decent free-kick that had the beating of David Raya in the first half 6/10
Rodri: Intercepted a dangerous pass that was intended for Bukayo Saka, but was forced off a few minutes later with a knee injury 6/10
Jeremy Doku: Like Walker, at fault for the second goal. Struggled to have an impact on the game and replaced by Phil Foden in the second half with City trailing 2-1 6/10
Bernardo Silva: Blazed a decent chance over the bar in the second half and generally kept quiet by Arsenal’s defence 6/10
Savinho: Provided a brilliant assist for Erling Haaland’s opener. Replaced by Jack Grealish 7/10
Erling Haaland: What a way to bring up his ton. What a player. What a finish 7/10
Substitutes
Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
Phil Foden: 6/10
John Stones: 8/10
Jack Grealish: 6/10
Arsenal
David Raya: Wrong-footed by Haaland’s unusual finish but superb after that. A series of sharp saves – notably from Haaland’s short-range header and Gvardiol’s volley – kept Arsenal in the game 8/10
Jurrien Timber: Coped valiantly after being shifted to right-back and with Gvardiol pushed high by Guardiola. Prevented City gaining a foothold down his side and was as good as any Arsenal teammate in the second-half siege 7/10
Riccardo Calafiori: Parachuted into the side and it appeared to be a stroke of genius from Arteta after a bad start. Not tight enough to Savinho for the opener but more than made up for it with sumptuous equaliser 7/10
"It's a BEAUTY!"
What a moment for Riccardo Calafiori!
pic.twitter.com/B56ZJC88mu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Gabriel Magalhaes: Lost Haaland for the opener and missed a glorious chance to put Arsenal ahead but then atoned for those errors with a thumping header to put Arsenal ahead 8/10
William Saliba: Titanic battle with Haaland. Clumsy attempt at offside trap allowed the City forward acres of space to run into for the opener but hardly put a foot wrong after that against world’s best centre-forward 8/10
Thomas Partey: Caught City sleeping with quick free-kick to set up Calafiori’s equaliser. Difficult day thereafter as City dominated but could not be faulted for effort 7/10
Declan Rice: Game passed him by as City passed the ball around him. A little wasteful when he did get on the ball but no huge errors 6/10
Bukayo Saka: Missing his usual right-flank partner after White was dropped and struggled to get on the ball but another perfect corner delivery set up Gabriel’s goal. Taken off at half-time after Trossard’s red 6/10
Gabriel Martinelli: Made the most of Walker’s lax positioning to set up Calafiori’s goal and nearly had another assist after teeing up Trossard. Made himself a nuisance for Gabriel’s goal. Quiet second half but a promising performance from a player who has struggled recently 7/10
Leandro Trossard: Moment of madness to get sent off on the stroke of half-time in such similar fashion to Rice’s against Brighton. Until that point had been forced into a defensive, pressing role as City dominated possession and will rue not keeping up that discipline 4/10
Kai Havertz: Lucky to avoid red for swinging an arm at Rodri’s face in opening minute. Quiet first half but ran himself into the ground once his side were down to 10 men 6/10
Substitutes
Ben White: Surprise omission as Arteta picked Calafiori and shifted Timber to right-back. Introduced at half-time after Trossard’s red card and contributed to backs-to-the-wall display 6/10
Jakub Kiwior: 5/10
Myles Lewis-Skelly: n/a
Gabriel Jesus: n/a
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