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.
Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal
1 minute: Almost immediately there’s an incident, where Rodri has gone down just outside the centre circle.
It took place inside the first flour or five seconds, Rodri dropped to the ground holding his head.
Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal
1 minute: Bernardo Silva gets the game underway
Manchester City vs Arsenal
The players are coming out of the tunnel onto the pitch and the match is about to get underway.
Blue Moon has been played out, the flags are being wrapped up from the centre circle, and kick off is about to happen.
Manchester City v Arsenal
Kick-off is just a few minutes away now. A reminder of the two starting line-ups:
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Lewis, McAtee.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, White, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Kacurri, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.
Gary Neville: ‘Arsenal need counter-attacking threat’
Neville speaking on Sky Sports: “Last season they came here and defended brilliantly and we feel like they’re set up to do that again today. [Thomas] Partey and Declan Rice are so important in making sure they have that shield in front of the back four. But then you need that bit of ruthlessness on the break.”
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.
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