In a nail-biting clash at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City snatched a last-minute equaliser against Arsenal, adding a thrilling twist to the match. After a gripping 97 minutes, John Stones levelled the score at 2-2, extending City’s unbeaten home run to 48 games.
The match kicked off with Erling Haaland making history by scoring his 100th goal for the club, putting City ahead early. However, Arsenal responded brilliantly when left-back Riccardo Calafiori, making his full debut, unleashed a stunning strike to equalise.
As the game unfolded, Arsenal took the lead just before halftime when Gabriel nodded in from a corner. But the Gunners’ joy was short-lived, as Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card for delaying a free-kick, leaving Arsenal with ten men for the second half.
Despite being a man down, Arsenal defended valiantly, with goalkeeper David Raya making a series of crucial saves to keep City at bay. However, in the match’s dying moments, Stones pounced on a loose ball from a corner to rescue a point for City.
The match featured plenty of drama, with both teams missing key players due to injury, including Kevin De Bruyne and Martin Ødegaard. Despite earlier goalless draws in the Champions League, this encounter was anything but dull, as Haaland’s aggressive start set the tone for an action-packed afternoon.
After Calafiori’s equaliser, City pushed for a second goal, only to face a resilient Arsenal defence. Pep Guardiola’s side saw multiple chances go begging, including a near-miss from Ilkay Gundogan and a missed opportunity from Rodri, who had to leave the field injured.
As Arsenal regrouped after Trossard’s dismissal, they adopted a defensive strategy, relying heavily on Raya’s impressive form. However, the pressure ultimately told, and Stones’ late strike ensured City left the pitch with a share of the spoils.
The result leaves both teams reflecting on missed opportunities, a testament to the tension and excitement of the match. City will take heart from their late show of resolve, while Arsenal must regroup quickly as they face upcoming challenges in the Premier League.
