Manchester City v Arsenal LIVE: Result and final score as John Stones breaks defiant 10-man Gunners
Folllow all the action from the Etihad Stadium as Arsenal travel to title rivals Manchester City for a crunch clash in the Premier League
Manchester City and Arsenal shared a furious and dramatic 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium after John Stones’ 98th minute equaliser.
City took the lead when Erling Haaland struck early in the game and the champions looked in full control. But the game unravelled for Pep Guardiola’s side, first when Rodri came off injured on 20 minutes, and then when Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori swept home a stunning equaliser.
Gabriel then rose to power home a head and give Arsenal a 2-1 lead heading into half-time, but moments before the break the Gunners were reduced to 10 men in unusual circumstances when Leandro Trossard first clattered into City’s Bernardo Silva and then kicked the ball away in frustration.
City spent the entire second half attacking and left it very, very late to finally get the goal that denied 10-man Arsenal a huge victory.
Follow all the reaction from Manchester City v Arsenal in the live blog below.
Mikel Arteta speaks ahead of the clash
The Arsenal manager told Sky Sports: “Ready. And we know we are full prepared and looking forward to it. It’s a demanding but an exciting week and we have to enjoy it.
“You have a game plan ready then the opponent does certain things to allow you to play in certain areas that you want, or not. What we do with the ball is very important as well.
“You have to travel together with the ball, be better, be closer to each other, be better in counter press, be better at high press, be dominant in the areas you want and you can create threat to the opposition.
“It was a little bit forced [to drop Ben White and start Riccardo Calafiori], but we are ok. We’ve done it with different players but we have full belief in the players we have. It gives us something different.”
Pep Guardiola speaks to Sky Sports ahead of the match
“We are at home, we’ve talked a little bit about some aspects: good transitions, occupying the spaces. Last season we didn’t do that and we will see. They’re not just incredible defensively, they make incredible high pressing, it’s so aggressive.
“[We haven’t just learned] from the two games against Arsenal - all the teams that play in a low block. As much as you play against those opponents, you learn what you have to do.
“What happened in the past [against Arsenal], it’s always an opportunity.
“I think its not a big, big one but [De Bruyne] was not available for today.”
Manchester City vs Arsenal
And now here’s a look at the fans arriving at the ground:
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Here are some shots of the players arriving at the Etihad Stadium:
Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the Arsenal squad, as Ben White drops to the bench to allow Riccardo Calafiori the chance to make his full debut.
Leandro Trossard has also been brought in, with Gabriel Jesus dropping to the bench alongside Raheem Sterling, who could feature against his former club.
Arsenal team: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard. Subs: Neto, White, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Kacurri, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.
Man City team news
There was a lot of talk in the match build up surrounding Kevin De Bruyne, with City due to make a late call.
That call has been made and there is no place for him in the matchday squad.
Here is the Man City squad: Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Lewis, McAtee
Early team news
Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt but has not been ruled out after coming off injured in the 0-0 draw at home to Inter on Wednesday. Phil Foden, who is yet to start a match this season, and Ilkay Gundogan could replace the Belgian. Nathan Ake is injured, while Erling Haaland has the chance to bring up a century of goals in a Manchester City shirt - the striker is currently on 99.
Arsenal will be without captain Martin Odegaard but Declan Rice returns from suspension after missing the win at Tottenham last week. Gabriel Jesus replaced Leandro Trossard in the draw at Atalanta but was unconvincing and Mikel Arteta may opt to return Kai Havertz to the front line. Riccardo Calafiori is fit again but Mikel Merino remains sidelined.
How to watch Manchester City vs Arsenal
When is Manchester City vs Arsenal?
The match will kick off at 4:30pm BST today, Sunday 22 September, at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with all the build-up following the earlier Premier League match between Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Manchester City host Arsenal in an early meeting of last season’s Premier League title rivals.
City won their fourth consecutive Premier League last campaign but were pushed all the way by the Gunners, who finished just two points behind Pep Guaridola’s side.
Mikel Arteta’s team are looking to go one step better this season and know the head-to-heads could be decisive, even at this very early stage of the title race.
Arsenal held the champions to a 0-0 draw on their last visit to the Etihad, but are winless in their last nine trips to Manchester City - a run that stretches back to 2015.
With City two points clear having won their opening four league games of the season, the hosts have a chance to open up a five-point lead at the top by extending their winning run.
Guardiola on Sterling
The City manager faces a reunion with his old assistant, Mikel Arteta, and with Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal on deadline day.
Guardiola said he was surprised to see the winger move on loan from Chelsea but felt Arteta had the same reaction after thinking a deal for Sterling was impossible.
The England international was named Footballer of the Year during his time at City, scoring 120 goals for Guardiola.
And the City manager said: “I wish him all the best. All the players that behaved well in this club, helped us to be who we are, where we are. We cannot understand the first years in my tenure at Manchester City without Raheem. He has been so important. I wish him all the best. Of course, I would prefer he doesn’t perform well on Sunday.”
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