Arsenal Suffer Last Minute Heartbreak as Man City Go 11 Points Clear

• Rodri scored a stoppage-time winner as City completed the double over Arsenal for yet another season
• The Gunners were brilliant throughout the game, and deservedly took the lead in the first half
• But a case of refereeing decisions against them coupled with self-inflicted calamities let City back in the game
• Pep Guardiola’s side go 11 points clear, at least temporarily, after the win

Manchester City beat 10-man Arsenal to go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League in an incident-packed encounter at the Emirates on Saturday, January 1.

Arsenal, who played a large chunk of the second half with 10 men after the dismissal of defender Gabriel, were on their way to earning a hard-fought point but Rodri steered in a loose ball in the 93rd minute to break Gunners fans hearts on Saturday afternoon.

How it happened

Coming into the game, City were facing a completely different Arsenal side to the one they dismantled 5-0 back in August 2021.

Thomas Tuchel Reacts to Chelsea vs Tottenham Carabao Cup Semifinal Draw

Football

While Guardiola’s City’s playing style is the blueprint of Arsenal’s current design, it was the Gunners who started the game with more intent and swagger, even with assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg on the touchline in the absence of Mikel Arteta.

The hosts’s early dominance eventually paid off as the in-form Bukayo Saka expertly slotted home Kieran Tierney’s cross after half an hour to give his side the lead.

Before the goal, there was a moment of controversy as Martin Odegaard was in behind the Man City defence but was seemingly tripped by Ederson.

After a long VAR review, the referee’s initial decision to not award a penalty stood.

Arsenal’s frustrations were compounded in the second half when they conceded a penalty in their own box, with Riyad Mahrez slotting home the resulting kick.

The equaliser seemed to wind up some of the Arsenal players, moreso defender Gabriel, who received his marching orders after a deliberate impediment on Gabriel Jesus.

Kamaldeen completes most dribbles in Monaco game despite playing only 14 minutes

Football

For Man City, they also had their chances as Gabriel Jesus steered a header wide while Ruben Dias flicked one beyond the post in the first half.

Overall, Arsenal were arguably the better side but were thoroughly unlucky to concede a late goal that came after City swung the ball in the box in the dying stages.

After a failed clearance, the ball fell kindly for Rodri, who swung his leg to beat Ramsdale, who knew little about the shot.

The win means City now enjoy an 11 point gap at the top, but the gap will certainly be cut on Sunday when Chelsea face Liverpool.

.