Manchester City salvaged a 2-2 draw against a resilient 10-man Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, with substitute John Stones scoring in the 98th minute during a tense Premier League encounter on Sunday.
City held nearly 90% possession and registered 28 shots in a second half they dominated after Leandro Trossard’s first-half red card. Arsenal appeared poised to hand City their first home defeat since November 2022, but Stones’ late goal preserved City’s unbeaten home record and maintained their position at the top of the Premier League table, improving to a 4-1-0 record.
With 13 points, Manchester City remains ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa by one point, while Arsenal sits fourth with 11 points.
The hosts opened the scoring just nine minutes into the match when Erling Haaland scored his 100th goal for Manchester City in his 105th appearance for the club, reaching the milestone in record time for a single club. Arsenal responded 14 minutes later with a long-range equalizer from Riccardo Calafiori, making his full debut for the team.
Arsenal took the lead in first-half stoppage time, with Gabriel Magalhaes heading in his sixth Premier League goal since the start of last season. His goal, the most scored by any center-back during that period in the English top flight, put Arsenal in front heading into the break.
However, Arsenal’s momentum was disrupted just before halftime when Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card after kicking the ball away in frustration. Arsenal was left to defend with 10 men for the entirety of the second half.
“I am so proud of the team,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told BBC’s Match of the Day. “We played the game in a difficult context, playing against the best team in the world. After what happened, we went 2-1 up, it was a different story, and I prefer not to make any comment about (the red card).”
“Obviously, it is already a miracle we played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men. It is unbelievable what we have done,” Arteta added.
City recorded 33 shots to Arsenal’s five and completed 699 passes to Arsenal’s 202, but the visitors managed to hold on for a point. The result ended Manchester City’s perfect start to the season, though they remain in first place.
The match also saw City midfielder Rodri exit the game in the first half with an apparent knee injury. Pep Guardiola’s side was already without Kevin De Bruyne, but Guardiola confirmed before kickoff that De Bruyne’s injury is not serious.
Arsenal’s draw means City’s winning streak at home is broken, but both teams remain firmly in the title race as the Premier League season progresses.
