Arsenal vs Manchester City: Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League for the first time this season after defeating Arsenal 3-1. Both teams have the same point (51), but Manchester City comfortably sit at the top of the table on goal difference.
Arsenal came into the match with a wounded heart after VAR’s inconsistency failed to help them get the three points against Brentford in the Premier League after Ivan Toney cancelled out the Arsenal lead.
However, Arsenal started strongly even without the presence of the Ghanaian Thomas Partey, with the new signing from Chelsea Jorginho making sure that Arsenal didn’t miss the player.
Arsenal created its first chance after Eddie Nketiah headed away an Oleksandr Zinchenko cross in the Manchester City 18-yard box.
Two minutes after Nketiah’s header, Takehiro Tomiyasu committed an error by making a back pass.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne who was quicker than Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, got to the ball first and he hit it from outside the box.
Tomiyasu had the chance to correct his mistake, but the shot didn’t trouble Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, with the Japanese shot flying over the bar.
Manchester City started delaying Arsenal’s progress by holding on to the ball for a long time during a throw-in or a free kick.
However, Bukayo Saka responded with a quick low cross to Martin Odegaard, who delayed the ball but his attempt getting blocked by Nathan Ake. Saka tormented Bernardo Silva, who played as a left back for Manchester City.
The Portuguese was given a yellow card for his tackle on the English winger. Before the first half, Arsenal got a penalty after Ederson clashed with Nketiah.
From the referee’s angle, Anthony Taylor, Ederson fouled Nketiah. The Manchester City players surrounded the referee, but he failed to change his decisions.
Saka wasted no time to equalize for Arsenal by sending Ederson the wrong way. Manchester City continued to create chances, with Ilkay Gundogan almost getting a goal but being denied by Ramsdale.
A penalty call came in from the Manchester City side after Gabriel dragged Erling Haaland down in the Arsenal 18-yard box, but after a VAR review, it was ruled out for offside, with Mikel Arteta looking relieved about the referee’s decision.
Manchester City’s second goal came after Gabriel’s error in the midfield, with Haaland creating a chance for Jack Grealish. The English international ball hit Tomiyasu’s leg and went past Ramsdale.
The game was sealed when Haaland scored the third goal of the match for Manchester City. The Norwegian striker controlled Kevin De Bruyne’s low pass and hit the ball into the bottom corner.
The goal against Arsenal is Haaland’s 26th in the Premier League. However, Arsenal kept fighting and were hoping to salvage a point with two quick goals, but it wasn’t possible as the game ended 1-3 in favor of City.
Key Stats in the Arsenal vs Manchester City Match
Manchester City had won 10 straight matches against Arsenal in the Premier League with an aggregate score of 26-3. The biggest victory during those 10 matches was a 5-0 win last season.
What Next For Arsenal and Manchester City
Arsenal will put aside the disappointment and go again when they face Aston Villa at Villa Park on February 18, 2023. If Arteta wants to take his team back to the top, he needs to start winning matches.
Pep Guardiola will take his team to an improve Nottingham Forest on February 18, 2023. It is going to be a difficult match for the Citizens, but with the right character and ability, the team is more likely to stay on top of the table.
