In a gripping clash of Premier League titans, John Stones snatched a last-gasp equalizer deep into injury time, ensuring Manchester City salvaged a 2-2 draw against a 10-man Arsenal side on Sunday.
The thrilling contest at the Etihad Stadium saw City maintain their unbeaten run and remain at the top of the table with 13 points from five games. Meanwhile, Arsenal, who appeared to be on the brink of securing a historic win, now sit fourth with 11 points.
Manchester City struck first, setting the tone in the opening stages of the match. Erling Haaland, who has consistently been a menace for Premier League defenders, found the back of the net in the ninth minute.
Savinho, City’s new Brazilian talent, provided the assist with a perfectly weighted through ball, allowing Haaland to break free. Sprinting onto the pass with his usual explosive pace, Haaland made no mistake, clinically slotting past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to give City an early 1-0 lead.
The Etihad erupted, and the home side seemed to be in control. However, Arsenal, often criticized for being overwhelmed in high-stakes matches, responded emphatically.
In the 22nd minute, Arsenal’s Ricardo Calafiori stunned the crowd with a sensational equalizer. The Italian full-back, who had yet to score for the Gunners since his arrival, unleashed a thunderous strike from 20 meters out.
Arsenal had caught City off guard with a quick free kick, and Calafiori seized the moment, sending the ball flying into the top corner of the net. Pep Guardiola, visibly frustrated, reacted dramatically on the touchline, even kicking a chair in disbelief.
This moment of brilliance shifted the momentum, with Arsenal growing in confidence. Just before halftime, Gabriel Magalhães put the visitors ahead. Rising high to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner, the Brazilian defender powered his header past Ederson, giving Arsenal a 2-1 advantage as the teams headed into the break.
Despite holding the lead, Arsenal’s fortunes took a significant hit in the closing moments of the first half. Leandro Trossard, who had been lively on the left flank, was shown a second yellow card and sent off after needlessly kicking the ball away, delaying a City restart. The Belgian winger’s dismissal left Arsenal to play the entire second half with 10 men, making their task of holding onto the lead all the more difficult.
Despite the numerical advantage, Manchester City struggled to break down a resilient Arsenal defense throughout the second half. Mikel Arteta’s men, despite being down to 10 players, displayed incredible discipline, frustrating City’s relentless attack. It seemed Arsenal was on the verge of securing their first win at the Etihad since 2015.
However, City’s persistence paid off in dramatic fashion. As the match entered the 98th minute, City won a corner, and in the ensuing scramble, John Stones emerged as the hero. Prodding the ball home from close range, Stones’ equalizer sent the home fans into raptures, rescuing a crucial point for Guardiola’s side.
The 2-2 draw means Manchester City maintains its position at the summit of the Premier League, while Arsenal, despite a valiant effort, is left to rue what could have been.
Pep Guardiola, although relieved with the late equalizer, acknowledged Arsenal’s resilience. “They defended well with 10 men and made it very hard for us. But we kept pushing, and Stones’ goal is important. We take the point and move forward,” Guardiola said.
Mikel Arteta, while disappointed with the late goal, praised his team’s fighting spirit. “Going down to 10 men against a team like City is always tough. The boys gave everything, and we were close to getting the win. It’s a tough result to take, but there are positives.”
With both teams showing their title credentials, this early-season battle may set the tone for another fiercely competitive Premier League campaign.
