MANCHESTER, England — John Stones scored a last-minute equalizer in the 98th minute, securing a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against Arsenal on Sunday. The match was marked by a controversial red card shown to Leandro Trossard, forcing Arsenal to play the entire second half with just ten players.
In a thrilling contest at the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland netted his 100th goal for City in just 105 matches, giving the home team an early lead in the ninth minute. Arsenal quickly responded, with Riccardo Calafiori scoring a stunning left-footed strike on his league debut, followed by Gabriel Magalhães heading in a corner from Bukayo Saka just before halftime.
Trossard was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away following a foul on Bernardo Silva, an incident that prompted outrage from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Despite dominating possession in the second half, City seemed poised for a defeat at home until Stones converted from close range after a chaotic moment in the box following a short corner.
Arsenal’s disciplinary issues were once again highlighted, as this marked the second instance in three games where a player was sent off for a similar infraction. With 17 red cards since Arteta’s tenure began in December 2019, Arsenal holds the record for the most dismissals in the Premier League during that period.
This season, Arteta has reinforced his squad’s toughness, reflected in an aggressive performance that started with Kai Havertz’s early challenge on Rodri. The team’s determination and competitive edge have surged, reminiscent of the fierce rivalry that once defined Arsenal’s battles against Manchester United.
City’s set-piece defense was also scrutinized, particularly as Gabriel posed a notable threat from corners, having scored a significant number of his goals from such situations throughout his career. Arsenal, who previously excelled in scoring from dead-ball situations, demonstrated that they are serious contenders for the title, although they still seek their first league victory at the Etihad since 2015.
In the second half, Guardiola’s City faced difficulty breaking down a resilient Arsenal defense, which successfully utilized a low block strategy after Trossard’s red card. Guardiola’s delay in making substitutions contributed to the struggles, as his team relied heavily on long-range efforts rather than tactical adaptations.
Additionally, City’s reliance on Rodri was starkly highlighted when he left the match due to a knee injury early on. His absence was evident as City’s cohesion and creativity faltered without their star defensive midfielder, raising concerns about their ability to cope if he were to miss additional matches. Stones’ equalizer salvaged a point, but cracks in City’s foundation without Rodri are beginning to show.