Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Premier League Title Contenders Play Out A Classic At The Etihad?

While many might have expected a heavyweight chess match on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City and Arsenal played out a pulsating 2-2 stalemate at the Etihad.

Watching the record-breaking Erling Haaland record a 10th goal of the season after calmly slotting past David Raya in the opening 10 minutes, Pep Guardiola’s men came flying out of the traps here.

However, watching midfield talisman Rodri limp off with what appears to be a worrying knee injury, Arsenal mounted a sensational first-half comeback as summer arrival Riccardo Calafiori produced a wonderful swept finish from the edge of the box.

In what was an incredibly fierce affair from the Etihad, the Gunners stunned the home support in stoppage time as Gabriel headed home from close range.

Although Arsenal might have been seconds away from entering the interval with a sensational lead, the Leandro Trossard was shown a hugely controversial second yellow card for kicking the ball away.

With Arsenal having to play the whole of the second half with 10-men, City camped out in the Gunners’ 18-yard box and bombarded with non-stop pressure.

While Sunday’s guests might have defended with a huge amount of heart, England international John Stones bagged a dramatic last-gasp equaliser as the 30-year-old bundled home.

In what was a pulsating affair from the Etihad, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

City snatch what could be a season-defining point

Left disappointed earlier in the week as they opened their Champions League adventure with a 0-0 stalemate at home against Italian heavyweights Inter Milan, Manchester City were always seeking an immediate response here.

Opening Sunday’s showdown at the Etihad as the only Premier League outfit that could boast a 100% start from their first four Premier League appearances, Guardiola’s men were desperate to lay down what could have already been a season-defining statement.

However, although the former Barcelona boss might have been hugely frustrated by City’s first-half collapse, Sunday’s hosts will certainly take plenty of positives away from the mental resolve that his defending champions displayed under a tremendous amount of pressure.

While Guardiola’s camp might have seen their 100% start come to an abrupt end on home soil, they are yet to suffer a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign.

Still extending their stay at the top of the Premier League table, City’s last-gasp equaliser on Sunday afternoon could be seen as a crucial point come May as Guardiola’s side look to break more domestic records and get their hands on a fifth consecutive Premier League crown.

Arsenal should take a host of positives from their heartbreak

While Arsenal might have once again fallen short last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, the Gunners are rightfully still regarded as City’s main title foe this time around.

Although the Gunners might have been hit with major last-gasp heartbreak at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Mikel Arteta’s side should take a string of positives away from a gutsy performance outside of north London.

Battling through the whole of the second-half with 10-men following Trossard’s controversial dismissal and clearly frustrating the defending champions, Arteta was quick to praise his side’s resilient display here.

Still leaving the Etihad with what was an eye-catching point and not allowing the Sky Blues to extend on their 100% start to proceedings, the Gunners will be next seen on Wednesday night when they welcome League One outfit Bolton to north London for an EFL Cup tie.

Rodri injury will be a huge blow to Guardiola

Although the record-breaking Haaland might have only further cemented his spot as Manchester City’s poster boy after already registering 10 Premier League goals so far this season, it is their midfield talisman who is widely recognised as Guardiola’s most valuable gem.

Playing a crucial role as Spain were crowned European champions over the summer, many across the glove have billed Rodri as one of the Ballon d’Or’s leading contenders this year.

While Rodri might have missed all of City’s opening three Premier League appearances this season, the former Atletico Madrid starlet had only continued on from where he left off over the summer.

However, limping off midway through the first-half after going down with what was a worrying blow to his knee, City once again struggled to fill the 28-year-old’s void in the middle of the park following his early exit.

Although ex-Chelsea ace Mateo Kovacic might be a more than trusted deputy for City’s midfield talisman, the Sky Blues do have a tendency to struggle defensively when the Spanish superstar is on the sidelines.

Match Report

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Rodri, Silva, Savio, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Foden

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Partey, Martinelli, Trossard, Saka, Havertz

Subs: White, Jesus, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly

Goals: Manchester City: Haaland (9’), Stones (90+8’) – Arsenal: Calafiori (22’), Gabriel (45+1’)

Yellow Cards: Manchester City: Ederson, Dias, Silva – Arsenal: Trossard, Rice, Partey, Jesus, Lewis-Skelly

Red Cards: Trossard (45+8’)

Referee: Michael Oliver