In an exhilarating Super Sunday matchup, John Stones netted a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer, allowing Manchester City to salvage a 2-2 draw against ten-man Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
City initially took the lead with Erling Haaland’s 100th goal for the club in the ninth minute, but Arsenal responded impressively. Riccardo Calafiori leveled the score in the 22nd minute with a stunning strike, and Gabriel added a second before halftime, giving the Gunners a surprising 2-1 lead. However, Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card just before the break, forcing them to play with 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Despite facing a numerical disadvantage, Arsenal defended valiantly, with goalkeeper David Raya making crucial saves, including one from a powerful header by Haaland. City pressed heavily in the second half, but Arsenal managed to hold them off until the final moments.
The breakthrough came in injury time when Mateo Kovacic’s shot rebounded perfectly for Stones, who found the net and ignited a clash between the two teams on the pitch.
Manager Reactions
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his players for their resilience: “What the players did was unbelievable. Playing for 56 minutes with 10 men against a team that hasn’t lost here for 40 games is no small feat. I’m extremely proud of them.”
He continued, “We had a strong performance, but the sending off changed the dynamic of the match. It’s concerning that this is the second red card we’ve seen in five games. Rallying against 11 players is already challenging, and with 10, it becomes nearly impossible.”
City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, acknowledged the effort of his players, stating, “We fought hard for the draw and ultimately got what we deserved.”
As both teams analyze the match, the draw keeps Arsenal in contention, while Manchester City remains a formidable force in the title race.
Credit: Sky News
