Manchester City–Arsenal: A terrible mess in the top game of the Premier League

Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League’s top fight and moved to within three points of the league-leading Londoners.

Erling Haalandin a goal in the second period decided an emotional and dramatic victory for City.

The match got off to a really fast start. Right from his first touch, Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya made a bad mistake with the ball, but managed to save the situation before City’s attackers got there.

Official brother Gianluigi Donnarumma was not so lucky. Donnarumma made a rough mistake as City led the match 1-0. Rayan Cherki had just managed to put the home team in the lead when Donnarumma’s mistake led to the equaliser.

City defender Matheus Nunes calmly threw a boundary throw to Donnarumma, who was standing on the end line to the right of his own goal. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz ran from a distance to press the goalkeeper.

Donnarumma took the ball a little carelessly with his left foot and it bounced farther than expected from the goalkeeper. Havertz rushed towards the goalkeeper, who tried to quickly kick the ball away from his goal.

Havertz managed to get his legs in between, and the ball bounced straight into the gaping goal.

There were no additional goals in the opening period.

Arsenal created many dangerous crime scenes at the beginning of the second period. Mercy of the King and Martin Ödegaard came particularly close to scoring.

Hassies soon became expensive.

City took the lead again midway through the second period. After a long period of pressure from Arsenal, the light blues struck somewhat unexpectedly. Nico O’Reilly found Haaland in the penalty area, and the Norwegian made no mistake.

Emotions heated up as the match progressed. Especially Haaland and Arsenal’s topper Gabriel got together on several occasions.

In the hottest moment, the jumpers stood facing each other and Gabriel pushed Haaland with his forehead. Both received a yellow card for the clash, as did Gabriel who furiously demanded to be sent off Pep Guardiola.

Arsenal created a top position towards the end of the match. Leandro Trossardin a precise cross reached Havertz completely free in front of the goal. The German was able to score without being blocked, but the hard shot narrowly missed the goal.

City’s win means that if they take care of their overdue game against Burnley, City and Arsenal will be level on points at the top of the Premier League.

At the end of the match, City received a nasty job post. Star player Rodri seemed to re-injure his groin which had been bothering him for a long time. He was replaced from the field, and Rodri left the field in pain.