Manchester City’s 100% record in the Premier League is gone, after drawing 2-2 with Arsenal on Sunday.
City and the Gunners played out a pulsating match at the Etihad Stadium, and in the end, the spoils were shared and it was probably a fair result.
Erling Haaland gave Manchester City the lead early on after great work by Savinho. But Arsenal got back level through Riccardo Calafiori, after referee Michael Oliver had controversially allowed a quick free-kick to be taken, despite Kyle Walker not fully being back in position.
Gabriel headed the visitors in front, before they then saw Leandro Trossard sent off.
City spent the whole of the second-half attacking Arsenal, and found a breakthrough right at the death through John Stones, after quick work from Jack Grealish.
It was an exhausting game in many ways, with a lot of talking points. But after the match, Roy Keane was critical of Ederson on the second Arsenal goal.
Roy Keane says Ederson should have done more on Arsenal’s second goal against Man City
Gabriel is a huge aerial threat for Arsenal and so, it was disappointing to see him allowed to score relatively easily.
The Brazilian had threatened just minutes before from an Arsenal corner.
Walker then tried to mark the Brazilian after a poor attempt previously by Jeremy Doku, but the full-back fared no better.
Gabriel waltzed in at the back post and nodded Arsenal in front.
But speaking after the game, Roy Keane was actually more critical of goalkeeper Ederson than Walker, with the Brazilian just rooted to the spot.
Keane said on Sky Sports: “I think the goalkeeper has got to do more. The goalkeeper has got to dominate that area. He’s getting knocked over, why isn’t he knocking people over? He’s had a warning three or four minutes earlier.
“That’s your domain, that’s your area! So when someone comes into it, be ready! Come with violence! Be on your toes, look at people and say ‘If you come anywhere near me, hey, I’m taking the ball and I’m taking you with me’.
“It happened twice. He’s always going back. He’s not even bouncing, he doesn’t look aggressive. If people come near him, he should be grabbing them.”
It was difficult for Ederson
The Gabriel goal was certainly avoidable, but it is quite easy to point the finger at Ederson.
The Brazilian was totally surrounded by Arsenal players and in the end, he just couldn’t move anywhere to deal with the cross.
It is a very effective tactic from Arsenal, who are one of the most dangerous teams in the world from set-pieces. They are very good at taking opposition goalkeepers out of the equation. We have seen several times previously Ben White effectively standing on the opposition goalkeeper’s toes.
£35 million signing Ederson might have done more to free himself, but the criticism from Keane here feels a little harsh.
Certainly, Walker should have done better marking Gabriel, who didn’t really have to do a great deal to get away from him.
