Late Drama Denies Arsenal Victory at Etihad Stadium

On September 22, 2024, Manchester City and Arsenal competed fiercely in a Premier League encounter that ended in a nail-biting 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium. Despite being reduced to ten men, Arsenal came close to securing their first win at the venue since 2015, only for a late equalizer from John Stones to dash their hopes.

The match started with Manchester City taking an early lead, courtesy of Erling Haaland, who netted in the ninth minute. Haaland’s goal marked his monumental 100th tally for Manchester City, achieved in just 105 appearances. The Norwegian striker capitalized on a pass from Savinho to slot the ball past Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal responded resiliently, with Riccardo Calafiori marking his full debut with a spectacular strike from 20 yards that leveled the score. This came after Rodri was forced off the field due to a knee injury, changing the momentum in favor of the visitors. Before halftime, Gabriel scored from a Bukayo Saka corner, a goal that momentarily put Arsenal ahead.

The match took a controversial turn when Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card for delaying the restart, leading to his dismissal just before the half-time whistle. As a result, Arsenal was left to play the entire second half with ten men.

During the second half, Manchester City exerted significant pressure on Arsenal’s defense. David Raya was instrumental in keeping the home team at bay, making several crucial saves, including a header from Haaland and long-range efforts from Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.

Despite Arsenal’s robust defensive display, their resistance was ultimately broken in the dying moments of stoppage time. Jack Grealish delivered a corner that found its way to John Stones, who scored amidst a crowded box, ensuring Manchester City salvaged a point.

Statistically, the match highlighted Arsenal’s tenacity, achieving just 22% possession, their second-lowest in a Premier League game since records began. Nevertheless, they maintained their unbeaten record in the current season. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland became the first player to score ten goals within the first five games of a Premier League season.

Looking ahead, Arsenal will shift their focus to the Carabao Cup, where they face Bolton Wanderers, followed by Premier League and UEFA Champions League fixtures at their home ground, the Emirates Stadium.