Arsenal made an electric start to the game, really taking it to Manchester City. Thomas Partey was excellent in midfield against some of the top players in the division, whilst Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli showed huge bravery to run at the City backline consistently. They got their reward when Tierney found Saka in the box and the Englishman swept home brilliantly.
Then, 10 minutes into the second half, the game dramatically unravelled before everyone’s eyes. Bernardo Silva went down very easily under a Granit Xhaka challenge. The referee didn’t give a penalty, but unlike in the first half, where VAR didn’t overturn a tight decision, they did overturn it for Bernardo’s fall. Again Arsenal were the victim of inconsistencies.
Mahrez scored the penalty. Arsenal then should’ve scored, Martinelli hitting the post when presented with an open goal. Immediately after that missed chance from Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, hauled down Gabriel Jesus and received a second yellow card, after receiving a first from scuffing the penalty spot before the penalty from Mahrez.
Arsenal then faced 30 minutes + 6 minutes of additional time with 10 men. All dreams of 3 points had all but evaporated and the Gunners set in to try and defend a point.
It was the 94th minute when the ball bounced luckily to Rodri who poked home. Heartbreak for Arsenal and totally undeserved.
Use our player rater tool below to have your say on how the players performed, and see the average of all the other fans. Scroll down to see how we rated the players and who we chose at the man of the match and flop of the match.
Here’s how I rated the players.
Aaron Ramsdale – 7
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 8
Ben White – 8
Gabriel Magalhaes – 4 (due to red card)
Kieran Tierney – 8
Thomas Partey – 9
Granit Xhaka – 6
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Martin Odegaard – 7
Bukayo Saka – 8
Alexandre Lacazette – 7
Man of the match: Thomas Partey. He’s hit top form just before leaving for the African Cup of Nations. But Arsenal will hope this is the level that Partey will return at.
Flop of the match: Gabriel Magalhaes. Had a great first half and then in two silly moments, got himself sent off and the game changed from that point.