At times, top-of-the-table clashes don’t live up to their billing in the Premier League as teams can become conservative playing not to lose instead of playing to win a match. When Arsenal and Manchester City met on Sunday, it was not one of those occasions with the two title rivals playing to a 2-2 draw that had a little bit of everything. From golazos to the dark arts with a mix of red cards and passionate displays, it’s clear that they take this seriously knowing that any dropped points can see a premier league title slip away.
With that, here are the biggest moments of the match:
5. Bukayo Saka matches Thierry Henry
In Premier League history, only two players have provided an assist in the first five matches of their team’s season. Thierry Henry in 2005/05 and now, Bukayo Saka. The English winger has hit a new gear for Arsenal and while he’s scoring less so far to kick off the new season, he’s making up for it by creating plenty of chances for his teammates which has led to him already grabbing five assists.
Saka assisted a header by Gabriel which would give the Gunners hope in the match right before halftime. That hope was something that got dashed a bit when Leandro Trossard was sent off right before the halftime whistle but it doesn’t diminish this moment. Saka is not only one of the best young players in the world but he’s now establishing himself as one of the best players in the world and sharing a distinction with Henry only adds to that.
4. Angry Pep Guardiola makes an appearance
After Arsenal’s equalizer, the Manchester City manager could be seen kicking his own chair in anger before shouting at the team. Following the match, Guardiola addressed the incident. The sequence of play began after play restarted with right back Kyle Walker out of position after speaking to the referee which is when Arsenal took advantage to score.
“I was [angry] with Kyle. But Kyle was right. The referee asked him to come to talk to him with the other ones. When that happens, some players have to be questionable and they have to adjust the back four, but he didn’t have time,” Guardiola said to Sky Sports. “When the referee said. ‘Come and talk to me,’ make sure we leave him to come back into the position, because next time, we’re not going to talk to them. He explained what I explained right now. It’s not a problem with Kyle.”
Guardiola wasn’t happy with the outcome of that but when play is restarted is something that’s at the referees discretion, Arsenal were just able to use it to gain an advantage.
3. Rodri’s departure
In things that can impact the title race, Rodri missing any time is something that will come as a concern to Manchester City. Rodri has been an indispensable player in midfield not only providing defensive cover but also being able to get involved in attack with late runs into the box as well. Being out for potentially several months with a knee injury could be a massive blow.
City have tried for years to figure out who his backup is and with Kalvin Phillips now on loan to Ipswich Town, the next “defensive midfielder” up may be center back John Stones. Outside of Erling Haaland, Rodri is the other player on the roster who there is no clear replacement for and depending on the severity of his knee injury after further examination, it could see the Spanish midfielder sidelneed for the rest of the season.
City may need to dip into the transfer market in January if that’s the case but managing until then will also be critical. It’s easier to do after picking up the draw against Arsenal but taking into account league and cup duties, that doesn’t mean that it’ll be a walk in the park.
2. Riccardo Calafiori’s first Arsenal goal
A first goal for a club is always something that will be remembered but when it’s an absolute golazo against title rivals to level the score, it’s a goal that means a bit more. After a good run from Gabriel Martinelli, Calafiori got onto it delivering a strike with his left foot that continued to rise until it evaded Ederson finding the upper 90. It was quite a moment also marking the Italian’s first start for Arsenal at left back.
With that being a position that is in flux for the Gunners, he could be a key to expanding the attack. There will be some concern due to Calafiori being withdrawn in the 74th minute with an injury but it doesn’t seem like it will be anything too serious.
1. John Stones’ equalizer … and Erling Haaland’s antics
When ranking moments from a match, it’s impossible not to take the gravity of them into play and John Stones’ goal had everything. Chaos in the box saw the ball fall to the Englishman and he wouldn’t miss. The match may not have even gotten to more than 97 minutes of play for the goal to happen if not for some time-wasting in the second half which dragged out the match. In the following moments of the goal, Haaland also threw the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, another moment that shows the underlying moments of this rivalry.
The duo have tangled constantly in the box and that was a moment during which Haaland released some of his frustration. It was reviewed by VAR and judged to not need further action. Only time will tell what will happen in their next meeting.
