Manchester City and Arsenal played out an exhilarating 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, with John Stones scoring a dramatic equaliser in the 98th minute.
The match kicked off with Erling Haaland netting his 100th goal for City early on, putting the reigning champions in front. However, the game shifted when Rodri sustained an injury just 20 minutes in, impacting City’s momentum. Arsenal responded with Riccardo Calafiori firing in a stunning equaliser and Gabriel giving the visitors a 2-1 lead just before half-time. Things took a turn for Arsenal when Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card just before the break, leaving the Gunners with 10 men.
Despite dominating possession and chances in the second half, City struggled to break down Arsenal’s resilient defence. It appeared Arsenal might secure a memorable victory until Stones capitalized on a goalmouth scramble, scoring in the last moments of the match to secure a point for City.
In the aftermath, Pep Guardiola acknowledged Arsenal’s growth as title contenders and praised the competitive rivalry that has developed between the two sides. John Stones expressed satisfaction with his late goal, reflecting on the need for composure in high-stakes matches. The draw maintained City’s unbeaten home streak, while Arsenal’s performance showcased their potential as strong challengers in this season’s title race.
Both teams are now focusing on their upcoming matches, with the season still in its early stages but already proving to be highly competitive.