Manchester City have drawn 2-2 with Arsenal in today’s crunch Premier League match.
Manchester City‘s 100% record in the Premier League has gone, with poor defending in the first-half proving costly – but there was a dramatic late equaliser from John Stones at the Etihad Stadium.
City took the lead through Erling Haaland, but then lost Rodri to injury which proved very significant in the end.
Arsenal got back level controversially through Riccardo Calafiori, with referee Michael Oliver allowing a quick free-kick.
Gabriel then lost Kyle Walker – who some fans have criticised today – from a corner to score just before half-time.
After Leandro Trossard got sent off for two bookings, Arsenal then shut up shop. It was all City in the second half as expected, but the hosts could not breach their opponents, until the saying seconds. Stones popped up to finish after Mateo Kovacic’s shot was deflected.
As City were pushing late on, there was frustration in the Sky commentary gantry, with Jamie Carragher shocked at how much Ruben Dias was picking up the ball.
Jamie Carragher stunned by positions of Man City duo Ruben Dias and Phil Foden late on v Arsenal
Once Trossard had been sent off, the pattern of the game was going to be crystal clear.
Arsenal had the lead and City were chasing the game with a one-man advantage, which meant Arsenal were going to spend the whole second-half defending.
The Gunners had the whole team behind the ball, and it was a huge effort from them. But Stones made the breakthrough late on.
It has certainly hard work for City who spent most of the second-half working the ball from left to right, with Ruben Dias having a lot of the ball in particular, as he had pushed up so high.
Speaking on Sky commentary, Jamie Carragher was left surprised by this.
He said: “Just watching Ruben Dias in the position constantly on the age of the box. I can’t believe Phil Foden is not in that position. Foden is in the box just standing waiting for something to drop.”
City showed great heart against Arsenal
This was one of the games of the season so far between the two best teams in England.
City absolutely threw the kitchen sink at Arsenal in the second-half and in the end, the pressure told and City found the equaliser through Stones.
It was fascinating to see how often Dias got the ball late on as City sought their second goal.
It was crying out for someone a little more creative to be where he was, but it just kept going to the Portuguese defender.
Thankfully, City managed to take a point and that will feel gutting for Arsenal who were seconds away from winning.
