Man City 2-2 Arsenal (22 September 2024) Match Analysis

John Stones scored an injury-time goal and Manchester City salvaged a 2-2 draw against ten-man Arsenal on Sunday and remain top of the Premier League table after a bitter battle with their bitter title rivals.

After the draw in a match that was more like a slugfest than a game of chess, Pep Guardiola's side are on 13 points after five games, while Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, who had to play the entire second half with ten men after Leandro Trossard was sent off, are in fourth place with 11 points.

Arsenal looked to be on the verge of their first win at the Etihad Stadium since 2015 before substitute Stones fired home from close range in the 98th minute – his 28th shot of the second half.

This was the highest ever recorded number of shots on goal by a team in a single half in the Premier League (from 2003 to 2004).

“I think we've learned over the years to stick together as a team, no matter who's playing, and always be ready,” Stones said.

“I know the coach stresses that. I'm sure you've heard it before… I tried to go there, get in the right areas and luckily it fell at my feet. And you know, I'm really happy to have scored a goal like that.”

Erling Haaland gave City the lead in the ninth minute when Savinho played a beautiful through ball which the big Norwegian sprinted onto and slotted past David Raya into the net.

It was Haaland's tenth league goal of the season and 100th for the club in all competitions. He celebrated by grabbing a City scarf and waving it in the air.

The joy did not last long, however, as Riccardo Calafiori made up for Haaland's goal with his first goal for Arsenal: a stunner from around 20 meters in the 22nd minute. Arsenal had caught City off guard with a free kick beforehand, whereupon Guardiola angrily hit his chair with a karate kick.

In injury time of the first half, Gabriel gave the visitors the lead when he jumped up and headed in the corner after Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal were reduced to ten men when Trossard received a second yellow card and was sent off shortly before half-time for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart.

Arsenal's Declan Rice was sent off for the same reason three weeks ago, which proved costly as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Brighton, the team's first drop in points this season.

After the break, Arsenal remained trapped in their own half and were bombarded with shots by City. And that worked until the 98th minute.

They prevented numerous near-misses, including a diving header from Haaland that was saved by goalkeeper Raya. Bernardo Silva was there to save the rebound but shot it over the bar.

A few minutes before the final whistle, Raya made an outstanding save when he blocked a great attempt by Josko Gvardiol.

A major disappointment on the night was that City's Rodri was forced off through injury midway through the first half. Captain Kevin De Bruyne had already been ruled out through injury and Rodri appeared to break his right knee in the 21st minute and limped off the pitch after receiving treatment.