A John Stones goal in the 98th minute was the final 2-2 between Manchester City and Arsenal with 10 players, in the duel between the two top favorites for the Premier League title, which is still led by the Citizens after the fifth date.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal played the entire second half with one less man after the expulsion of Leandro Trossard in the added time of the first act.
“They have a lot of personality, but we have too,” said City technician Pep Guardiola. “We are kicking, we deserved it,” he added.
In the standings, Manchester City occupies the lead with 13 points, ahead of Liverpool (2nd, 12 points), Aston Villa (3rd, 12 points) and Arsenal (4th, 11 points).
Also Read: Real Madrid Come Back Against Espanyol with Vini Jr. & Rodrygo Unbeatable
Manchester City soon got ahead with a goal from Norwegian Erling Haaland (9), author of his 100th goal with the elastic of Manchester City, the tenth this season in five Premier League games.
The striker, after a deep pass from Brazilian Savinho, took advantage of the gap between Gabriel and William Saliba to beat Spanish goalward David Raya with the toe of his left-hander, before celebrating that goal by waving a club scarf.
Concern for Rodri
The young signing Riccardo Calafiori, the headliner for the first time in the Premier League, equaled a superb shot with the left from outside the area (22) before which Ederson could have done nothing, and Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes advanced to the head of the “Gunners” after a clip put by Bukayo Saka (45-1).
The joy of Citizen after Stones’ goal was mixed with concern about the injury of Spanish international midfielder Rodri, who could have damaged his right knee, after stepping badly on the lawn in the 16th minute and before leaving the pitch amid gestures of pain.
Raya, who had gutted Haaland (59) and Josko Gvardiol (62, 87), could do nothing in the last local cartridge, a short-cut-off coffin in which the ball ended after a stone’s throw, which he did not forgive from the small area.
“When you sustained for so many minutes, getting a goal in the last, because we had to play 97 minutes, and then 99 (with the added time added) is very disappointing,” Arteta said. But at the same time, I can be proud of them and the way they fought today.
Arsenal take, as last season, a point from the Etihad, where the locals have not lost in the league since November 2022.
In the other league match in English’s top competition, Brighton and Nottingham Forest (2-2) held a rich duel in goals, alternatives, and cards.
The teams led by Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo retained their invincibility this season, but they lost their nerves both saw the red one after the expulsion of Morgan Gibbs-White, on the 10th of the Forest, for a hard entry over Joao Pedro.
The result is more frustrating for Brighton (7th), which saw Paraguay striker Ramón Sosa deprive them of the three points with his goal in the 70th minute.
The City manager himself was seen kicking his seats in fury after seeing Arsenal deny the home side any chance they could get. However, in added time, the reward for all that hard work came. Stones scored the equalizer that allowed the Citizens to return to the top spot, which was loaned to Liverpool on Saturday.
