Man City snatch 98th-minute draw vs 10-man Arsenal as both teams rage in crazy game | Football | Sport

Arsenal almost produced a second half defensive masterclass with 10 men against Manchester City but were thwarted at the death as the two sides shared the spoils at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners came from behind to lead the clash courtesy of a Riccardo Calafiori strike and a Gabriel header ahead of the interval after goal machine Erling Haaland had opened the scoring for the hosts early on. But John Stones clinched a point for Pep Guardiola‘s team in the 98th minute. And the centre-back’s goal left players raging after the managers’ emotions had already boiled over during the contest.

Leandro Trossard was handed his marching orders following a second yellow card in stoppage time at the end of the first half after kicking the ball away.

Mikel Arteta’s men were then denied the chance to leapfrog City at the top of the top of the Premier League table after Stones’ goal, despite repelling a barrage of attacks from the Citizens in the second period. And Express Sport takes a look at five talking points from the showdown in the north west.

Carragher vindicated with defensive views

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher extolled the centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel earlier in the week as he claimed it was up there with the best of all-time in the Premier League. And the duo proved their worth against City as they defended everything that came their way.

Gabriel even popped up with a goal for the second time in a week after heading home the winner against Tottenham in the north London derby last Sunday.

Arsenal fail to learn from Rice red card

Arsenal were made to pay for a needless sending off at the end of August when they threw away a 1-0 lead against Brighton following Declan Rice’s red card for kicking the ball away. And the Gunners failed to learn from their mistake as Trossard was dismissed for exactly the same reason.

Arsenal have now had 17 players sent off under Arteta in the Premier League, more than any other team. And if they don’t improve their discipline, they will continue to be hampered by red and yellow cards as the season progresses. It’s hard enough to defeat City with 11 players on the pitch.

Referee commands column inches

Referee Michael Oliver will grab the column inches for his decisions during the match. He sent Trossard off after already annoying City players by allowing Arsenal to take a quick free-kick ahead of their first goal.

Oliver pulled Kyle Walker out of position towards the centre of the pitch for a chat with the City captain and then allowed Arsenal to take a quick free-kick and exploit the space Walker had vacated. Gabriel Martinelli took the opportunity to tee-up Calafiori, who curled the ball beyond Ederson in the City goal.

Oliver refused to dish out a card when City winger Jeremy Doku kicked the ball away in the first half but then handed Trossard a second yellow just before the break.

Guardiola and Arteta in battle of emotions

Guardiola and Arteta know each other as well as any managers in the Premier League, and it appears their emotional state during matches is mirrored.

The City manager was left fuming after Arsenal’s opening goal as he felt his side had been hampered after Walker had been dragged out of position by Oliver. The Spaniard infringed on the pitch after the ball hit the net, remonstrated with fourth official Andy Madley and kicked his seat with anger.

Arteta, who habitually exhibits his emotions on the touchline, then pulled his jumper over his face after Trossard had been dismissed as his anger was clear for everyone to see.

Rodri loss hands initiative to Arsenal

Rodri opened up earlier in the week about the possibility of players striking because of the intense demands placed upon them. And his own workload may have been a contributing factor to the injury he sustained midway through the first half at the Etihad as he was forced off following a clash with Thomas Partey.

Guardiola’s side lost three Premier League matches last season when the Spaniard was suspended. In contrast, the champions have remained unbeaten in their last 52 top-flight matches when Rodri has featured. If Rodri is out for an extended period of time, it could cost City dearly this season.