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.
Pep Guardiola reacts to the match
Guardiola said to Sky Sports: “A lot of things happened in the game, we have time to analyse it after. We have created a good rivalry with Arsenal. It was before with Jurgen [Klopp], now it’s in different way. You know how we started, it was a little bit delayed after two seconds.
“They have a lot of personality but we have it. Ninety-nine points to play. That’s life. We equalised, we deserved it.
“After there was injury, interruptions. We made a good build-up because it’s not so easy because they’re so good. To be able to score two goals against Arsenal is not easy.”
Manchester City snatch late draw against Arsenal
Here are some photos of the match-defining late goal:
John Stones on Arsenal’s defending
When asked about Arsenal’s defending, Stones said: “I wouldn’t say they’ve mastered it. They’ve been doing it for a few years. You can call it clever and dirty, whichever way you call it, it upsets the rhythm for everyone. They use it for their advantage. We controlled our emotions really well.
“What everyone expects watching a big game like this is there’s drama and whether you’re involved in it, you want to be level-headed and not make silly yellow cards.
“They made it difficult for us being so deep and having so many people around the box. It will be something we have to review.
“For the past few years, there’s been a rivalry that’s been growing. One where we’ve always wanted to be on top. We’ve got one, we wanted three. But we came away with a vital point is something we should be proud of.”
‘No overlaps, no underlaps’: Roy Keane tears into Manchester City after draw against Arsenal
Keane said on Sky Sports: “It has happened before where teams can get a result with ten men. Listen, Arsenal did well but City were really poor - no movement, no overlaps, no underlaps.
“It was more poor play from Manchester City than Arsenal’s brilliant defending.”
While his fellow pundit Micah Richards was praising Arsenal’s defending: “Man City will be disappointed in the way that they played in that second half.
“I thought Gabriel and Saliba were unbelievable to defend like that for 45 minutes in the second half, against the best team in the league, it was just remarkable.”
‘No overlaps, no underlaps’: Roy Keane tears into Manchester City after Arsenal draw
Roy Keane criticised Manchester City for their struggles to break down 10-man Arsenal
John Stones speaks after his last-gasp equaliser
John Stones: “I was (delighted). I obviously frustrated that you don’t get to start in these big games, before the game I tried to channel it and have a positive attitude if needed to come on.
“Over the years we’ve worked hard to stick together no matter who is playing. I came in and tried to be inside the box for all crosses and one dropped to me and I put it in the back of the net.”
He added: “He brought me on to play close to Erling (Haaland) and help with aerial duels.
“I’m really pleased to score a goal like that.”
Full time: Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
Paul Merson reacts to the draw on Sky Sports: “A shame for Arsenal, City ran out if ideas, they looked like they ran out of ideas, Arsenal did brilliantly, but now they will look back and wonder.”
“At the start of the game you would have taken a draw, so fair play to Arsenal.”
While Theo Walcott said: “They limited Manchester City to scraps.”
Full time: Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
After 100 minutes of tense fractious action, the points are shared in a thrilling match between the defending champions and those who pushed them to the final match last season.
It was contentious from the outset, Havertz left Rodri on the floor after the first five seconds and the tempers flared until the final whistle.
Leandro Trossard’s red card forced Arsenal to go defensive, and they almost managed to keep out City, but after stoppage time had run out, Stones managed to level the tie and ensure the home side’s record at the Etihad would not be broken.
Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
90+9 minutes: It’s all kicking off on the pitch, the players are pushing and shoving.
Haaland has bundled into Gabriel and all of the players jump in almost immediately.
VAR have called the barge “reckless”.
GOAL! John Stones with a late leveller! - Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
90+8 minutes: GOAL! We have gone past the 97 minutes and the game is still continuing.
There are two more minutes left.
John Stones is in the right place to poke the ball into the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble and City have equalised!
Manchester City 1-2 Arsenal
90+5 minutes: Arsenal have done an incredible job.
They have backed themselves to keep out City and they have thrown everything at it.
Jesus has gone down, and been shown a yellow card, while Bernardo Silva tries to take a corner.
Raya rises tallest and claims the ball with both hands.
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