Manchester City claw late equaliser vs Arsenal to keep top step in the Premier League

Manchester City and Arsenal faced each other for the first time this 24/25 season at the Etihad Stadium. Both teams going into the game had unbeaten starts to the campaign which was the perfect set up for an early title decider.

Over the last 2 seasons in the Premier League Manchester City and Arsenal have gone head-to-head for the Premier League title with City coming out victorious across both years despite Arsenal's dominance on the rest of the league, Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, has had Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boss’s, number across every season they met as rival coaches until last season where Arteta’s gunners won the first match up 1-0 at the emirates and played for a 0-0 draw later on in the season at the Etihad.

Manchester City Starting XI consisted off: Ederson (GK), Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Gundogan, Savinho, Haaland, Doku.

With Arsenal's Starting XI as: Raya (GK), Calafori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber, Martinelli, Rice, Partey, Saka, Trossard, Havertz.

For the first ten to fifteen minutes of the first half it was complete control for Manchester City. The early electricity was sparked by Kai Havertz running through Rodri in the first 4 seconds of kick off sending him to the floor kick starting the boiling pot this game would become. Gundogan missing a vital chance early on set the tone for City’s attacking play as 9 minutes into the game it was only a matter of time before City’s number 9 Erling Haaland found the back of the net, running through the middle of both arsenal defenders with Savinho playing a De Bruyne style pass through the lines into Haaland's feet for him to send Manchester City into the lead for 1-0. During this City’s shape was very interesting with a diamond set up midfield with Gvardiol taking role as the left side half space midfielder for the blues.

The dominance of city was relatively short lived after Rodri was substituted early for Mateo Kovacic from an unfortunate fall during a corner, 1 minute after Rodri’s exit Arsenal equalised through a terrific outside the box strike from Arsenal newcomer Riccardo Calafiori who placed the ball beautifully in the top right corner of Ederson's goal. The Gunner's confidence was growing away from home, especially in set pieces. Centre Back Gabriel narrowly missed his header at the back post of an Arsenal corner which was quickly replicated again by the defender but instead this time converting his chance to make it 2-1 to the Arsenal sending them into the first half leading. The drama didn’t end there as just before half time Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard was sent off during to delaying the restart in the 8th minute of added time also sending arsenal with one less man.

Half time substitution for Arsenal saw assist maker Bukayo Saka be replaced by defender Ben White whilst City came into the second half with the same starting XI. Because of Arsenal’s red card it was again complete domination of the ball for Manchester City as Arsenal defended for the lives for 45+ minutes. Setting up in 5-4-0 formation and sometimes a 6-3-0 formation Arsenal’s sole purpose of the second half was to protect their goal and head back to the emirates with 3 points. Manchester City, having 88% of the ball in the second half, being frustrated by the unbelievable performance of all the Arsenal players left Guardiola no choice but to make some changes to get something from this game. Manchester born Phil Foden, 100-million-pound man Jack Grealish and super defender John Stones all coming onto the pitch to try help the blues. In the 90+8 th minute of the game John Stones managed to get on the end of a loose ball and putting it past David Raya, who had only conceded 1 goal for Arsenal before coming into the game and grabbing Manchester City a vital point this early into the season.

Controversy, arguments, red cards and last-minute goals. This game had it all from start to finish and was an entertaining curtain raiser between the two title contenders for what is to come for the rest of the season. Because of the draw Arsenal and Manchester City continue their unbeaten campaigns leaving City keeping the top spot in the Premier League title whilst Arsenal drop down to fourth place behind Liverpool and Aston Villa only 2 points behind the Champions.

Photos from @mancity on Instagram