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In the first Premier League fixture in 2022, Arsenal hosted Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium, with both sides going into the game in great form. The Gunners, however, were without manager Mikel Arteta, who missed the game due to Covid-19. They welcomed right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu back into the starting XI.
As soon as the game started, Arsenal were down to business and fully focused on their mission of getting three points. The Gunners took a well-deserved lead through Bukayo Saka in the 31st minute. There were a couple more occasions where Arsenal could have doubled their lead.
The Gunners were on course for their first Premier League win over Manchester City in over six years. However, just when things were looking comfortable for the Gunners, the home side conceded a penalty when Granit Xhaka fouled Bernardo Silva. They were then reduced to 10-men after Gabriel Magalhaes was sent off for a second yellow card.
Arsenal tried to regroup and focus on getting a point, but were ultimately undone by Rodri who netted a late winner. Here are five talking points from the match.
#5 Should Arsenal have been awarded a penalty against Manchester City?
Referee Stuart Attwell failed to point to the spot after Ederson challenged Martin Odegaard for the ball in the first half. Arsenal's players, understandably, stormed towards the referee, demanding a penalty.
From the host's point of view, the goalkeeper caught the Norwegian in Manchester City's penalty box. To the visitors, Ederson might have gotten a touch on the ball before knocking over Odegaard.
Nevertheless, much to the irk of Arsenal fans, video assistant referee (VAR) Jarred Gillett failed to find a clear and obvious error to overturn Attwell's on-field decision.
During half-time, Rio Ferdinand remarked on BT:
"With VAR, I don’t understand how it’s not given."
In the second half, the VAR was again called into action and it controversially went City's way.
#4 Bukayo Saka continues to impress for Arsenal
Before the match, Wilfried Zaha was the only player to have scored against Manchester City in the first half. Saka became the second player to do so in the Premier League this season.
In recent years, Arsenal have found it extremely difficult to score against Cityzens home or away. Saka, who made his Premier League debut exactly three years ago, brought hope that his side might truly be going on the right track under Arteta.
Since establishing himself as a regular player in Arsenal's starting XI, Saka has scored 12 goals and provided 12 assists in 79 league appearances. With rumors linking the English international to a move to Liverpool, the Gunners will be eager to tie Saka down to a long-term contract.
#3 Arsenal players shoot themselves in their foot
In the span of a few minutes, things turned upside down for Arsenal. Granit Xhaka gifted Manchester City a penalty after a VAR review. He and Gabriel Magalhaes were booked for protesting and tampering with the penalty spot respectively. Arsenal conceded and Gabriel was later sent off.
Arsenal looked extremely close to dominating the whole game, but all of a sudden they had to give up possession and their attacking shape. With Gabriel sent off, they scrambled for Rob Holding to come on. They packed the midfield with players who were ready to defend every single attack from Manchester City.
According to Orbinho, Arsenal players committed 11 fouls, receiving five yellows and one red in the process. Some decisions from the referee seemed a little too dubious and harsh. But the home team should have been much more disciplined in a key match like this.
#2 Manchester City's patience was rewarded
Compared to their meeting at the Etihad Stadium in August, the Arsenal side, which turned up today, are a vastly improved team. They had lost 5-0 back then. The strongest possible lineup was named and every player knew what they were supposed to do.
As a result, Manchester City struggled to break down the home team's defense or test Ramsdale in the first 45 minutes. Even when Arsenal were down to 10-men the Gunners did not lose hope and held their defensive shape until the very end.
In injury time, Rodri snatched a lucky winner for his side thanks to a deflection. It was certainly a hard-earned three points for the Premier League leaders. Arsenal will feel that they should have gotten at least a point from this game. The win means Manchester City extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 11 points over Chelsea.
#1 Arsenal cling on to top-four hopes
Despite Arteta's absence, Arsenal put up a strong display at the Emirates Stadium. The players ought to be heartened that they have improved so much since the season began.
The defeat to Manchester City leaves the Gunners with 35 points in 20 games. They will remain fourth regardless of the results from other games. The biggest takeaway would be that the current young and enthusiastic Arsenal squad have huge potential. They appear capable of taking on a top side like Cityzens.
Moving forward, Arsenal will host Liverpool in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final before facing Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup.
