Saka scores, Mahrez nets pen, Rodri late winner clinches 2022's 1st victory for City, Gabriel sent off.
Match Events
4' Jesus's header wide out
.
9' Martin Odegaard goes down in the box but ref says no penalty!
13' MISS! Ruben Dias's header wide out
15' Martinelli's shot saved
30' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Man City (Saka)
38' Martinelli's shot wide out
42' CLOSE! Martinelli nearly scores for Arsenal
56' Penalty Goal! Arsenal 1-1 Man City (Mahrez)
57' Ake makes an important clearance
58' Second Yellow Card! Gabriel sent off
65' Sterling's shot over the bar
67' Yellow Card! Holding booked
86' Mahrez's shot wide out
92' GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Man City (Rodri)
Manchester City have continued their fantastic winning streak in the Premier League by defeating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates.
Both sides went into the match in great form, with the home side, who were without their head coach Mikel Arteta as he was isolating at home with COVID-19, having won their last four Premier League games in a row and with City on a 10-game winning streak in the league
There was controversy early on after Arsenal's Martin Odegaard was brought down in the box by Ederson in goal for what looked like a stonewall penalty. VAR reviewed the incident, however, and decided that the Brazilian stopper had touched the ball before coming into contact with Odegaard and no penalty was given, leaving the home side frustrated.
The breakthrough finally came for the Gunners after 31 minutes, though, when Kieran Tierney played the ball to Bukayo Saka inside the area, who swept it past Ederson.
The sides then went into the break at 1-0 with the home crowd very pleased with what they'd seen in the first 45 minutes and Arsenal worthy of their lead.
But, just eight minutes into the second half there was more VAR involvement as Pep Guardiola's side were awarded a penalty after a tug on Bernardo Silva from Granit Xhaka in the area, and Riyad Mahrez converted from the spot.
Just moments later there was even more drama, as Aymeric Laporte headed the ball past his own goalkeeper for Nathan Ake to clear off the line, with Gabriel Martinelli blasting the rebound over the bar.
From the restart, Gabriel was sent off for a second yellow card, for fouling Gabriel Jesus, leaving the home side with 10 men.
The numerical advantage saw City dominate the closing stages as they played the ball around well, with Arteta's side defending resolutely, but the match ended in heartbreak for Arsenal when Kevin de Bruyne's cross deflected off Rob Holding and landed at the feet of Rodri who slotted the winner past Aaron Ramsdale.
This result leaves Arsenal in fourth place on 36 points after 20 matches, with City still top on 51 points from 21 games.
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Lacazette, Xhaka, Partey, Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Ramsdale, B. White, Martinelli, Saka
Subs: Leno, Cedric, M.Elneny, Pepe, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Smith Rowe, A. Lokonga, Nuno Tavares
Man City XI: De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Cancelo, Laporte, Ake, Ederson, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Jesus, Rodri
Subs: Fernandinho, Walker, Gundogan, Grealish, Z. Steffen, C. Palmer, Luke Mbete-Tabu, J. Mcatee, Kayky
Midoinhoo
654
THOMAS PARTEY today 👏
Abdulsamadjr
569
not to lie arsenal are playing like a team worthy of the top 4
liverpoolass
497
Man City players : “how do overturn the score line?” Pep: “This is where Referee comes in
bigchelseafan2005
362
all these salty fans blaming the ref when xhaka clearly pulled bernardo silva's shirt[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
lupdikpu
337
Arsenal would have won the game easily but the ref and var is pep friend
Ibrahimsmile
329
This guy is a gem for Arsenal
SumitPaudel
319
we witnessed 1st robbery of 2022
YJamso14
261
Can we all agree that Arsenal at least deserved a point. Penalty was soft. Red card was harsh. and city really were dominated.
Ibrahimsmile
209
Am sure Guardiola is not happy with Man City despite the win
Bmillion
205
city won the game but Arsenal young gun won our hearts
AnijhaFidelis
161
This is pure cheating honestly
lawalidris
145
That late goal by Rodri is a painful one to Chelsea and Liverpool fans. Happy new year my fellow Citizens.
jackstance
144
City Fans: We won Fair and Square, and refree wasn't biased also VAR Me
Kek2127
119
ARSENAL ROBBED
Niccnyz
113
congrats the ref,for destroying game.
Billboards
63
GIF GIF GIF!: https://bit.ly/32UToxb
JotaroKujo
12
not to lie arsenal are playing like a team worthy of the top 4
[image]
To keep Man City at bay for 90 minutes is something to keep an eye out for. Possible champions league team next season
dreamlig
10
Who cares about the complaints we are top of the table
JotaroKujo
10
THOMAS PARTEY today 👏
[image]
As a Madrid fan, I did get Kroos Sniper vibes from him
Suselnory
9
Nobody is talking about this hero
YJamso14
9
all these salty fans blaming the ref when xhaka clearly pulled bernardo silva's shirt[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
[image]
Xhaka pulled bernado's shirt from back and he fall forward.
lord_henry-14
9
THOMAS PARTEY today 👏
[image]
What can u do when ref was against us😂
US_Madridista
8
Now Arsenal became Valencia Pro 😂
KDB_0017
8
Man City players : “how do overturn the score line?” Pep: “This is where Referee comes in
[image]
cry baby..
MichaelFrolian
8
basaceist
8
This is the game where Chelsea & Liverpool fans cheered for Arsenal