Manchester City held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates thanks to an impressive defensive performance, with the Gunners only managing to equalize in stoppage time. The winner of the game is probably league leaders Liverpool.
ManCity rarely had so little possession. An active Arsenal racked up around 80 percent in the early stages at the Emirates, but it was of no use to the Gunners. The visitors, led by Pep Guardiola, pressed high and ran courageously, but they were not surprising defensively. But the way City defined themselves with passionate tackling even in much deeper positions was truly impressive. And successful.
Because the former serial champions’ plan worked mercilessly. Haaland, who initiated it himself, finished a counterattack after winning the ball with the first chance of the game to make it 0-1 (9th minute). Arsenal, on the other hand, were still unable to get a shot on goal after half an hour because the Skyblues didn’t allow them anything defensively. Offensively, pinpricks were enough for them.
Brilliant save by Donnarumma
It wasn’t until the end of the first half that the Gunners were able to really apply pressure.
They mainly looked for right winger Madueke, who initially dribbled his way through several times before getting past the outside. But Donnarumma reacted strongly to the right-footed shot at the near post (45+1). The equalizer would have been deserved at this point. The North Londoners picked up where they left off right after the break.
Arteta had reshuffled his wings with Eze and the returning Saka, with the latter in particular revitalizing Arsenal’s attacking play. Like Zubimendi (48′), Eze (50′) was waiting where City cleared the ball after a cross, but both Gunners missed from promising positions 15 meters out. Even though center forward Gyökeres was well covered by the outstanding Gvardiol, the equalizer was gradually in the air.
Five-man chain and a six for Haaland
Goalscorer Haaland, who decided against passing to Foden, made another pinprick attempt after almost an hour (57th minute), but otherwise the visitors really only concentrated on stabilizing themselves against the ball. They succeeded after Trossard almost scored a fluke goal from a corner (60th minute). The Emirates became nervous.
Speaking of Haaland, Guardiola took him off at the start of the final quarter of an hour to bring on defensive midfielder Nico – the Catalan had already switched to a back five. Guardiola in Mourinho mode. Including the rare counterattacks, one of which Doku almost capitalized on (82′).
Ironically, it was the approach of his former adversary that almost helped City’s coach to success, but in the third minute of stoppage time, Arsenal’s substitute Martinelli outran even Gvardiol and lifted the ball over Donnarumma into the goal. As a result, this top match now had a different winner, namely league leaders Liverpool. Both the Gunners (five points behind) and the Skyblues (eight) have lost sight of them for the time being.
