MANCHESTER, England — John Stones’ equaliser in the 98th minute secured a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against Arsenal on Sunday, despite the Gunners being reduced to ten men for the entirety of the second half following Leandro Trossard’s contentious red card.
In an electrifying clash at the Etihad Stadium between last season’s Premier League top two, Erling Haaland opened the scoring for City with his 100th goal for the club in just 105 appearances, giving them the lead in the ninth minute. However, Arsenal responded strongly, with Riccardo Calafiori scoring a stunning left-foot strike on his league debut, and Gabriel Magalhães converting Bukayo Saka’s corner in the 45th minute.
Trossard received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after fouling Bernardo Silva, leading to a furious reaction from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. City dominated possession and pressed Arsenal throughout the second half but seemed on course to lose at home for the first time in nearly two years, until Stones capitalized on a scramble in the box following a short corner to score.
Arsenal’s disciplinary issues continue to be highlighted, as this marks the second time in three Premier League matches they have lost a player to a second yellow card for similar offenses. While both Trossard’s and Declan Rice’s dismissals were technically correct, they expose inconsistencies in officiating regarding time-wasting during matches. Since Arteta took charge in December 2019, Arsenal has accumulated a record 17 red cards in the league, more than any other team.
Arteta has instilled a more aggressive mentality in his squad, which was evident from the outset of the match, particularly when Kai Havertz fouled Rodri just five seconds after kickoff. Critics have often pointed out Arsenal’s lack of toughness in previous title challenges against City, but this match showcased a more resilient side aiming to match City’s intensity.
Despite the red card, Arsenal’s defense held firm against City’s numerous attacks, with Stones ultimately denying them a home win. Gabriel’s ability from set-pieces was clear, as he scored with a header from Saka’s corner, echoing prior successes. The Gunners had shown their capability to threaten from dead-ball situations, having netted the most goals from set-pieces in the league last season.
Arsenal remains eager to challenge City’s dominance and approached the match determined to secure a victory. Nonetheless, despite a commendable effort, they were left to regret conceding the late equalizer.
City manager Pep Guardiola faced frustration as his team struggled to breach Arsenal’s well-organized defense during the second half. City’s inability to translate possession into goals highlighted a tactical oversight, as Guardiola waited until the 70th minute to make any substitutions, despite the pressing need for a change in strategy.
Rodri’s absence proved detrimental to City, as the midfielder sustained a knee injury early in the match, indicating just how vital he is to the team’s cohesiveness and defensive structure. Without him, City’s performance dipped, underscoring potential vulnerabilities that could affect their season moving forward.