MANCHESTER, SEPT 23 – Arsenal and Manchester City look set to clash even more fiercely in the Premier League to determine Mikel Arteta’s ability to overcome Pep Guardiola.
The 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium yesterday showed that Arsenal can certainly compete with the four-time defending champions, but it also confirmed the strength of City’s defense after dominating English football for the past six years.
“We still have spirit in us,” said Guardiola after John Stones rescued a point with an equalizer in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Arsenal have been runners-up in each of the last two years setting new benchmarks along the way but still falling short.
Arteta was once Guardiola’s former assistant at City and is now his biggest threat.
Yesterday, his side looked capable of breaking City’s record 47-game unbeaten run at home, despite playing with 10 men for the entire second half after Leandro Trossard was sent off.
But Arsenal’s resolve was finally broken by substitute Stones, who slotted home from close range in the dying minutes to extend City’s record 48-game unbeaten run at home.
“Obviously, it’s already a miracle that we played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 players. It was unbelievable what we did,” said Arteta, who was furious when Trossard was shown a second yellow card for deliberately kicking the ball out.
Erling Haaland put City ahead in the 9th minute with his 100th goal for the club in 105 appearances with a shot past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Influential City midfielder Rodri left the field in the 20th minute after appearing to injure his right knee. His departure proved a turning point as Arsenal equalized just two minutes later through Riccardo Calafiori’s deflected effort from outside the area.
Magalhaes then headed in from a corner kick in the first minute of first half stoppage time.
City dominated the second half but looked frustrated by Arsenal’s stubborn 10-man defense and some impressive saves from Raya.
Stones, a centre-back who sometimes operates in midfield, was brought in and Guardiola ordered him to help the attack.
“He wants me to play closer to Erling, higher up the pitch so that when we get crosses we can start winning more aerial battles,” Stones said.
The draw ended City’s 100% win record in the league season, but moved a point clear of second-placed Liverpool and third-placed Aston Villa. While Arsenal are two points behind the leaders in fourth place.
Arteta said his players were “really disappointed” in the dressing room after seeing the victory snatched so late on.
“But, also, they know that they have made another big step today,” he said. – AP
