Arsenal vs Manchester City, summary: Haaland goal, goals, stats & highlights | Premier League 2022-23

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Signing off

Thanks for following the top of the table action tonight at the Emirates Stadium!

We'll (I'll) be back for more with Barcelona vs Manchester United in the Europa League! Don't miss it!

Maybe Pep was wrong all this time...

Who says you need the ball to win football matches?

Arteta post-match:

In the end I feel disappointment because we lost it, and I say 'we' because we lost it.

I think it was an incredible battle between two teams and when we had them, we gave them the goals. 

This team will destroy you. On the other hand, we had 3 big chances and we didn't put them away. That was the difference. 

To win, we have to play above our level because they are such a [good/strong] team, individually the quality that they have.

But we absolutely matched them, I think we had them in big moments, but again, the things that define the game are the individual moments, especially in the box and today they were better than us.

There were some periods where we were really imprecise. 

We didn't read the situations well [in deep areas].

 

 

Refreshingly honest from Grealish:

You get those games where everyone speaks, but everyone seemed so concentratedtoday on the game.

Even myself, all day, I wasn't nervous, I was just in the mood, staying off my phone.

We just had to win, that's what I was thinking, and luckily we did. 

If I'm being honest, I don't actually think we played that well. 

"I think Arsenal played a lot better than us. I thought they were the better team."

"It was so positive, a happy celebration just now. I'm so happy with everything. We needed this one and we have to go on a run because that's what Man City should do."

I'll do my best [to stay on top]."

What frustrated you in the first half?

"My tactics. I decided something new and it was horrible"

While you wait...

While we sit patiently for Pep and Arteta to come and do their post-match press conferences, why not have a look at how the other football is getting on?

The student is yet to beat the master.

But when your master is Pep Guardiola, that's not an embarrassing record to have,

Do not fear!

It's not the last time we'll see these two behemoths slap their chests against one another this season, as Arsenal still have to go to the other stadium in the Premier League named after a UAE airline - the Etihad!

They will play each other on Match Day 33 of 38. Get the popcorn ready!

Haaland has his say on the game:

"For me, we have to play a little more like this sometimes."

Here's how the table looks:

Check it out while we wait on the post-match press conferences...

About that 8 point lead...

Sorry, Arsenal fans, it's gone. In just 11 days. 

The Premier League is serving us a classic season. May it long continue!

Opta call him a cheat code.

I call him a Monster Boy. Choose your nickname. They all work for this guy. 

By the way, he just needs one more goal to beat Agüero's City record in the Prem - reckon he'll do it?

Here's how Sofascore saw the game:

A game of two halves, you might say...

That was a great game.

A real clash of titans, and a Norse God who stole the show. Man City will be delighted with the win, as they will go to bed on the top of the Premier League. Arsenal's blip is now officially a bad run, with no wins in their last 3 games. 

Arteta will be wounded from this: Although they looked the stronger side in the first half, City turned on the style and in the end they ran out clear winners. 

I was not convinced by the City midfield in the first half but they got their act together and the KDB-Gundogan double act sealed the deal in the key moment, sliding the ball to Monster Boy and, well, he did the rest. 

Arsenal will have to find a way to pick up their form, but all is not lost, as they still have a game in hand against their title-challenger rivals.

AND THAT'S ALL!

FULL TIME

We're into the last minute...

Kalvin Phillips is currently chief pusher-over-er in the City midfield. He's battling with everyone. 

ARSENAL GO CLOSE AGAIN!

Trossard tries his luck against Ederson and floats in a cross/shot that almost dips in over the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper.

5 minutes added.

Into the last minute of normal time.

NKETIAH HEADS JUST WIDE

Arsenal worked the ball to the right and Saka's cross was centimetres away from Nketiah's head.

Rodri and Kalvin are holding the fort for City now as Arsenal try to attack through the body of players.

The Gunners continue to probe, sweeping the ball from left to right.

De Bruyne OFF

Kalvin Phillips ON

Ben White has a crack from distance, smacking into Rúben Dias' back.

Ødegaard rushes a pass towards Saka and he accidentally fires out out of play.

Rodri slices away a dangerous Ødegaard cross from the right. 

The Arsenal fans are silent.

Arsenal try to mount a late surge, but City are cruising now...

White and Vieira ON

Tomiyasu and Xhaka OFF

Gundogan finds space in the right channel to slide De Bruyne in behind, who cuts it back to Haaland. The Norwegian takes a touch with his left foot and, as he tumbles to the ground, sticks out his right book to poke the ball into the far corner of the goal. 

Akanji, again, cuts out Saka's run after a chipped ball from Jorginho is lofted over the defence. What a smooth player.

A penalty shout for Arsenal is waved away, asWalker apparently handled the ball. He didn't. 

Trossard tries to play Nketiah behind the defence but Akanji does well to cover and calm the nerves.

Arsenal have just stepped up another gear for the final 10 minutes. This isn't over...

Ramsdale catches a deflected cross from Foden that was heading towards Monster Boy... 

Grealish OFF

Foden ON

Foden is getting ready to come on.

Grealish is down...

Martinelli OFF

Trossard ON

Rúben Dias does excellently well to stop Martinelli who had found space on the edge of the box. He took one touch too much which allowed the centre-back to step in perfectly. 

Silva wins the ball back high up the pitch and plays Haaland in behind beautifully, who doesn't shoot and slides it square to the oncoming Gundogan. 

The German doesn't shoot either, fooling us all, instead sending the ball square once again, to Grealish, who rockets a low shot past Ramsdale. 

A fantastic goal.

Xhaka overhits a pass through the lines that would have played Nketiah in behind the City defence. A huge chance gone for the home side.

We're into the last 20 minutes now...

AND ANOTHER CHANCE FOR CITY

Zinchenko misplaces a pass back and Haaland steps in, taking the ball inside the box.

Ramsdale scurries out and slams his chest on top of the ball, saving Arsenal's bacon yet again.

AKANJI OFF THE LINE!!!

Aké makes contact and the ball falls to Akanji whose shot is weak and cleared off the line!!

Grealish burns past Tomiyasu and is brought down.

Free-kick for De Bruyne to swing in...

NKETIAH ALMOST SCORES!

The ball is opened up to Ødegaard who slides in a charging Tomiyasu. His cross to the back post is excellent but Nketiah misses the ball by inches!

And he's booked for it. Could've been an orange in my book, Nketiah's studs were high and the lunge was late.

Dias goes down after a late challenge from Nketiah... 

The game has been broken up over the past few minutes with small fouls from both sides that have riled the crowd...

Mahrez OFF

Akanji ON

Haaland gets his own back by crashing into both Gabriel and Zinchenko, who are down.

The Arsenal crowd go (rightfully) crazy; Haaland was half a boot behind Gabriel.

OFFSIDE!!

NO PENALTY!!

VAR is checking a possible offside... Haaland looks half a yard off.

The defender pulled on his shirt and spun round behind the striker, who went to ground. The referee didn't hesitate and blew the whistle.

PENALTY TO CITY!

GABRIEL BROUGHT DOWN HAALAND

ARSENAL GO CLOSE!

Jorginho plays a beautifully disguised cross towards Nketiah who had made a great run to the six-yard box. Ederson sweeps up.

Akanji is receiving instructions from the bench.

Bernardo Silva is genuinely playing at left-back today.

A fantastic pass from Ederson slices through the cool air to the feet of Mahrez. Unfortunately for City, the Algerian was slightly offside.

Hehe, Arteta kicks the ball away from De Bruyne, who waves a knowing finger in his face. Cheeky señor.

Arsenal ride City pressure superbly and work the ball around the back, starting on the left and ending back on the other side of the pitch. Fantastic positioning and close control from all involved.

OK, so it's clear Grealish has been told to go right up against Tomiyasu, which is a task that's been made even more difficult for the defender now he's on a yellow.

That's a battle to keep an eye on.

Tomiyasu, who is about to take a throw, gets a yellow. I honestly don't know why...

No changes for either side in terms of players, let's see if there are any structural tweaks.

De Bruyne tries a one-two with Haaland but Saliba cuts it out well. City start strong.

And we're off again!

Arsenal get us going this time.

The players are back out for the second half!

KDB has his favourites!

And Arsenal are top of that list!

Sofascore with the goods at half-time:

Let's see if they can get one more and change that LLLLLLLLLL streak!

As I was saying...

Silva as a... left-back? Pep, have you been tinkering again?

Half-time report:

Wow, what a jam-packed half of football, and two mistakes have been the difference at the break. 

Firstly it was the error from Tomiyasu, whose pass was poor and allowed De Bruyne to step in and put the ball in the back of the net. 

But Ederson would gift Arsenal with a golden chance from the spot after clattering into Nketiah before he saw his shot scooped off the line by Aké, who has been excellent. 

Apart from the two mistakes, both sides can be fairly happy with their game, they have both pressed like crazy hyenas and and creating chances all over the pitch. Perhaps, from an Arsenal perspective, they might like to get Ødegaard on the ball in more dangerous areas, as he has been slightly crowded out at times during the first 45.

As for the City midfielders, I'm not quite sure what their jobs are, as they just seem to be buzzing around in all directions. Let's see if we get any changes.

Half time!

Arsenal 1-1 City

OFF THE BAR!

Aké gets on the end of the free-kick and the ball bounces onto the bar!

Haaland wins a free-kick after some tussling with Saliba, who has looked like he can actually match the monster boy for strength. 

City survive a few crosses and send a long ball forward to De Bruyne, who chases down Saliba. The defender calmly deals with the situation as though one of the best midfielders in the world isn't treading on his laces.

The Portuguese goes into the book for the challenge on Saka.

Arsenal mount a counter-attack with Saka, who is fouled by Bernardo.

6 added minutes.

Free-kick to City, 40 yards out. Jorginho fouled Mahrez.

Cleared away by Aké.

RAMSDALE WITH A HUGE SAVE

A long throw landed at Haaland's feet and his shot fell to Gundogan, who whacked the ball towards goal, forcing the 'keeper to make a fantastic reflex save.

And we're off again.

The crowd have re-awoken and are singing at the top of their voices.

Just a few minutes until the break.

Ederson points to his right before diving to his left - but Saka had read his mind!

And it's given! Saka with the ball...

Guardiola is FURIOUS.

The players have all surrounded the ref, who is presumably letting the challenge be checked by VAR.

Ederson - who is on a yellow - took down Nketiah in the build up to Aké's slide!

WAIT

The referee has blown for a penalty!!!

OFF THE LINE!!!

AKÉ SLIDES IN AND SAVES NKETIAH'S SHOT!

Ederson being booed by the Arsenal crowd, who are very annoyed at him for his earlier antics.

A Xhaka-Saka link-up opens the pitch and allows Arsenal to break, but City keep their shape well and force the home side to find another way through.

Ederson goes into the book for time wasting.

Saliba is playing some *chef's kiss* passes through the lines to Ødegaard today. Lovely.

We're underway again and Walker is instantly booked after kicking the ball before being allowed back on the pitch. A strange one.

Good news, Walker is back up. A tough Yorkshire lad.

Pep is having an incredibly intense chat with both Bernardo and Aké.

Gundogan has just joined in.

Walker goes down after a huge shove from Martinelli mid-jump, a la Harry Kane. That's a big fall.

SAKA SHOULD HAVE SCORED!

Why didn't he shoot?

Ødegaard slipped in the winger perfectly down the right but he decided to not shoot on his left, instead taking the ball on the outside of Aké, which gave the defender time to get down and clear the ball.

Arsenal have not stopped pushing, and are having all the ball since the restart, forcing City back.

TOMIYASU GOES CLOSE!

He almost made up for his error there! Martinelli's cross hit Walker and bounced down towards the defender, who hit a volley over the bar from close range.

And we're back underway

A long ball from Ederson arrives at Tomiyasu, whose pass back to Ramsdale is terrible and lands at the feet of De Bruyne.

The Belgian doesn't even take a touch, instead curving the shot from the edge of the box around the rushing goalkeeper and into the net.

NKETIAH GOES SO CLOSE!

Aké and Rodri had cleared the ball twice in ten seconds before Martinelli's perfect cross met Nketiah inside the box but his header was just wide! It should be one nil!

Tomiyasu nearly hits a lofted pass over the CIty defence into Saka, but Ederson is out to it like a hawk. Danger averted.

Xhaka recovers well after De Bruyne doesn't hit a pass to Haaland with all his might, allowing the opposition midfielder to sneak in and give it to one of his friends instead.

And we're back underway...

Good news! Ramsdale is back up!

While Ramsdale is down, Arteta has called an impromptu team meeting on the sideline... and he's not happy.

Ramsdale is down, holding his ankle.

CHANCE FOR CITY!

Haaland zips out of this dimension and into the next before popping up at the back post to fire a volley across goal.

Arsenal with some possession as City hold off the press, preferring to catch their breath in their mid-block. 

It's an incredibly fast game, so far.

Every attack feels like potential counter-attack for the other side.

Shouts for an Arsenal penalty go the other way as Nektiah goes down in the box, but Aké got there first. City free-kick.

Zinchenko and Martinelli don't click and the left-back misplaces a pass, causing groans from the crowd.

The next move was much better, with Nketiah reaching the ball inside the box but a strong challenge from Dias stopped the danger.

The home side have just started to find their feet...

Rodri does excellently well to pressure Ødegaard and steal the ball after being slipped in through the lines by Saliba. 

Bernardo avoids a yellow after a high and late challenge on Saka. Lucky boy.

Lots of misplaced passes for Arsenal so far, and City are taking advantage of being able to win the ball high up the pitch. 

Rodri is dropping right back into a line of 5 defenders every time Arsenal try to break, which is making things difficult for Nketiah to slip and slide in between the gaps.

Grealish gets on the end of a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, skips past one defender and pokes it through the legs of another, almost setting up Mahrez for a tap in. The ball is cleared away.

Haaland gets his first few touches and smokes Gabriel before setting up Mahrez to cross the ball in, but it's well blocked. 

The free-kick is cleared back to the Norwegian who hits a misguided pass out for a throw to City in their own half.

Nketiah goes down after a strong challenge from Aké. 

Ødegaard to whip the free-kick in from the right.

The Emirates is absolutely rocking: what a fantastic atmosphere in a ground that, for years, was the centre of every joke about libraries and fire drills. 

First attack of the night goes to Arsenal, as Walker loses the ball to Martinelli. The winger breaks down to left and lays off to Nketiah, whose shot is blocked. 

Xhaka then hits a wild effort over the bar.

Immediately it's Aké at left-back in a 4-3-3 for City, who have shot out of the blocks to press Arsenal. Let's see how it evolves.

The players take the knee against racism - and now we're off!

Haaland gets us going from right to left.

(I got a little ahead of myself and forgot about the handshakes and all the Premier League anthem jazz...)

And they're on the pitch! 

Here we go!

Here's a reminder of the teams and table:

ARSENAL - Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Xhaka, Saka, Ødegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah

MAN CITY - Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland

Five minutes to go!

The players are lining up in the tunnel...

Here is all the football.

Follow it all live tonight!

Kieran's on Dortmund vs Chelsea while Calum has got Real Madrid's tieagainstElche.

L L L L L L L L L L

No, my cat has not walked across my laptop keyboard. This is Arsenal's last ten games against City. Not happy reading for fans of The Gunners! 

Will they be able to get the W on the record tonight against Pep's side?

We're almost up to 300 votes!

And the live poll results are very interesting: just under 50% think City are going to get the three points while only 27% have Arsenal maintaining their position at the top!

There is still time to vote!

Less than half an hour to go!

Here are some stats to get you in the mood for the game:

- Man City are the only side Mikel Arteta is yet to beat in the Premier League, having lost all five of his meetings against them.

- Arsenal have seen a red card in the last 2 games against City.

- Arsenal are undefeated in their last 14 of 15 in the Premier League.

- Opta, in a freakishly similar outcome to our Twitter poll, has City winning by just under 50%.

Sofascore's tactical lineups:

They've gone for a 3-2-4-1 for City, which would make things very juicy and interesting...

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea live online: scores, stats and updates, Champions League 2022-23

If one game is not enough for you (it rarely is for me) then you'll be delighted to hear that Kieran is counting down the clock to Dortmund vs Chelsea in the Champions League! Woof!

Analysing the teams:

I don't know about you, but my excitement levels just zoomed up a few levels after seeing the teams. 

Guardiola has gone with a left back of... erm... I'm not sure, to be honest. Is it going to be Nathan Aké? Or are we in for a formation surprise? It wouldn't be the first time.

As for Arsenal, they finally change their lineup, as Ben White drops out for Tomiyasu. No Partey either, but will they be celebrating come the end of the game? (Sorry).

And here is the Arsenal XI!

Arsenal XI:

Ramsdale

Tomiyasu - Saliba - Gabriel - Zinchenko

Xhaka - Jorginho

Saka - Ødegaard - Martinelli

Nketiah

And there he is!

City XI:

Ederson

Walker - Dias - Rodri - Aké

KDB - Gudogan - Bernardo

Mahrez - Haaland - Grealish

Not long to go to see if the Monster Boy starts!

He has been such a differential player for City in terms of goals despite some saying that his inclusion to the squad has actually hampered them - where do you fall on Erling? Indisputable goal monster or a big man in the way?

The clock is counting down now!

Team news in 10 minutes!

Our survey says...

So far on the poll (which you can vote on just by clicking the tweet) we have almost 50% of people saying they think Manchester City will win, and under 30% predicting the three points for the home side!

Post-World Cup form...

When does a blip turn into a wobble? And when does that turn into a bad run? Well, whatever you want to call Arteta's form over the past two games, it's not ideal. They've only managed a point from their last possible six and as such, Manchester City have been able to storm right up their skirts, despite losing to both Manchester United and Spurs. 

Tonight's clash sees the winner go top - a draw would keep things balanced on a knife edge which could tip either way... 

The steady man versus a box of surprises

Arsenal have named the same starting XI in each of their last six Premier League games. They have never done it for 7 games - let's see tonight. He has also named an unchanged XI in 11 of 21 games.

As for Pep, he has made a name for himself as somebody who likes to fiddle with his starting XIs and tactics on a game-by-game basis, depending on the opponent. 

He is yet to name an unchanged side in the Premier League this season!

Manager quotes pre-game

The pitch looks pristine

As always, the Emirates pitch is looking in a perfect state and is probably the one that you most want to roll around on for hours and hours, right?

Just me?

*Wink face emoji*

Manchester City gave us all a big hint about Monster Boy's fitness with this tweet... might we see him play from the start?

Team news: Manchester City

As for City...

"Erling has a knock and we will assess in the next days what he can do," said Guardiola on Erling Haaland, who came off early against Aston Villa.

It remains to be seen if the monster boy will be fit to play.

John Stones is the only player for City who is certain not to be available.

Team news: Arsenal

Regarding Arsenal, apart from the long-term absentees (Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Mohamed Elneny), Mikel Arteta has a fully fit squad to play with tonight, so expect a strong side.

FA CUP

Manchester City vs Arsenal summary: Aké goal, score, goals, highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022

We’ve seen this before…

You may think you’re having déjà vu, but fear not, as you’re not going mad: these two teams played each other just the other week in the FA Cup. 

Manchester City ran out 1-0 winners on 27 January against Arsenal with a goal from Nathan Aké that sealed the deal. Arsenal, however, didn’t put out their strongest side to begin with so perhaps tonight we will see a different game play out from the first minute.

How things stand:

Well, well well… things are pretty interesting at the top of the Premier League tree, with just three points separating the two sides, after something of a mini-wobble from the London side, which has seen them lose against Everton and draw against Bournemouth.

City, on the other hand, made up for the loss to Spurs with a solid 3-1 thumping of Villa. They were 8 points off Arsenal just a month ago but could go top of the league with a win at the Emirates.

Hello!

Welcome to the AS live coverage of some very juicy Wednesday night football. 

What have we got today? Yes, it’s Arsenal vs Man City in the Premier League!

It’s Joe here and I’ll be guiding you through all the action as the top two sides in England battle it out for 3 super-important points.