Manchester City vs Arsenal summary: score, stats, goals & highlights | Premier League 2025/26

Premier League: how it stands

It could easily go down to the final day...

Premier League

How is tiebreak decided if two teams finish level on points in the Premier League

This game looked like a title decider, but technically it wasn't

Arsenal's lead has been cut to just three points with five games (six for City) to go - that's 15 (18) more points up for grabs – and defeat today didn’t end their race. City's game in hand, if won, would put them both level on points.

Because there are multiple scenarios where Manchester City and Arsenal finish the season level on points, the first tie-breaker is goal difference, then goals scored, then the head-to-head record, then away goals in those meetings.

It’s happened before. 2012, you may remember “Agüerooooooooooooo” with a stoppage time goal, which saw City winning the title on goal difference from their Manchester rivals.

We’re not there yet. But it's a possibility easy to envisage...

Well, that certainly wasn't the shy and reserved title clash that you can sometimes get when so much is on the line. It was a proper ding dong at times and so many moments that could have completely flipped the narrative.

As it stands, Man City have the edge in the title run in (I'll explain in a moment) but don't be thinking that this is already wrapped up.

Full-time

Goals: Cherki 15', Haaland 64' ! Havertz 17'

Peep, peep, peeeeeeep!!! It's all over.

City take all three points and the narrative is clear. But there's plenty time for more twists in this season.

We're into the final seconds. One last chance maybe for the league leaders?

How have City allowed such a swing in control. It must be driving Pep crazy.

You can't say the visitors aren't pushing. The latest cross into the area wins them a valuable corner which they then recycle allowing Trossard to put in a perfect delivery onto the free head of Havertz.

It's a great connection but just over the bar. On moments like that can turn seasons.

Gyokeres goes down on the edge of the City box looking for the ref's attention. He gets it, but it comes with a waving of the hands. Not this time.

There is a tension between players and watching fans that is palpable. Yes, City are in the position they want to be, but one slip or moment of genius and everything flips.

We've got 7 minutes of added time

Savinho and Nico are on for Rodri and Doku

Pep Guardiola goes into the book for, let's just say, “disagreeing strongly” with the decision over earlier handbags.

Foden is on for Cherki

Gyokeres for Zubimendi in what is a real push for Arteta.

Handbags time. Haaland and Gabriel square up after another challenge. Heads go together, we all wait, Gabriel pushes in and away.

Yellows only but the Arsenal man was the luckier of the two.

10 minutes to go and O'Reilly is in the Arsenal box, not for a corner, just running in hoping to make something happen. Nothing did.

For all that the momentum was with City, Arsenal continue to pose a threat, and it's not as if Pep has suggested to his players that they should be more conservative. Bernardo Silva, for example, just had to be clever to rob Havertz of a through ball which otherwise could have been a problem.

White and Trossard replace Eze and Mosquera.

Arteta has a decent bench to change things up.

Gabriel sneaks in at the back post and plants a powerful header goalwards from a deep free kick. It deflects off O'Reilly and looks to be going in but slams off the upright. So close.

It looks like some substitutions are about to be made...

The Etihad faithful smell blood. The noise has lifted and every attack sounds – and feels – more threatening.

Does that have an effect on the Gunners' players? We'll likely get an answer in the coming minutes.

Haaland now needs a replacement shirt. A tussle with Hincapié sees both men grabbing material as if they need it to finish a tapestry and there's none left in the shop. Play continues though

Haaland puts City ahead

Oh my! A sweet strike from Eze has Donnarumma beaten but hits the inside of the left upright, rolls almost across the goalline (I'd say at 87 degrees) and away to safety.

Maybe Arteta does know what he's doing.

What do I know?! Nothing, that's what.

If the plan was to soak up City pressure and then break in numbers, then it (almost) worked a treat there. Somehow Donnarumma and his defenders prevented the ball ending up in their net.

It's fair to say that this game has tilted more in this first stage of the second half to what I had expected for the whole game. Arsenal are under the cosh somewhat and hoping to find an opening on the break.

I'd be concerned as an Arsenal fan if they start to play for the draw and allow pressure to build.

Havertz is punching the turf after being nudged out of the way by Khusanov while running onto a through ball. Ref having none of it.

It would have been a straight red given the relative positions but the striker was certainly looking for it.

It's been a really positive start to the second half from the hosts. Chances are being created but Raya's been behind those efforts that made it through.

City on top on the chances

xG breaks

If you, like me, were wondering what the expected goals value was for Havertz's equaliser... this tweet from the experts may help you out. Or not!

City straight onto the front foot and force a couple of early corners.

The second one sees stretching blocks thrown in front of the close-range strikes but the ball then drops to a certain Norwegian goal filler and I was just waiting for the net to bulge. Post and away. Escape.

Game on

OK, the teams are heading out. More of the same intensity please, lads

Invincible insmincible

It feels like a long time ago now – actually, it WAS a long time ago –  when Arsenal went unbeaten in the Premier League (that was the season 2003–04 when the team were named the “Invincibles”.

It's unique. No team has repeated it. Well done them.

But given the general objective is to get as many points as possible, I'd put several teams in a higher bracket. If they'd turned more draws into wins they'd get more of my respect. How do they sleep at night?

Did you know?

Man City's 2023 treble made them only the second English club ever to win the league, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season (after Manchester United in 1999).

This year, Guardiola is going for the domestic treble, having already beaten Arsenal to the first cup and two wins from the FA Cup. The Gunners, as well as the Premier League, have an eye on a more impressive double, given they are in the semifinal of the Champions League.

I can't call it

Where's your money going on the second half? Too close to call for me

Half-time

Peeeep! That's the sound of our half-time whistle.

Time to take a breath, grab some oranges, and have a nice oily rub down, I'm not sure what the players are going to do though.

One minute of added on time

O'Reilly may have learned the wrong way though, trying to twist and turn his way out of a double press on the edge of his own area. Somehow he lives to not have to tell the tale like his keeper.

Not unsurprisingly, Donnarumma's dealing with most passbacks with a simple one-touch clearance. Good to see he's learned his lesson from earlier.

Tremendous ball-winning back from Rodri, who then lays it off to Cherki, and in turn it ends up with Semenyo. The new boy's (January wasn't that far back!) strike is well blocked.

Another corner to Arsenal is dealt with but the Gunners pick up the clearance and push again. While Eze has been a menace through the middle, Madueke remains a threat on the right. It's keeping City guessing.

Oh, that's nice. Gabriel and Haaland playing some piggy-back riding. Wait, it seems the referee is not too pleased with them and has put an end to it. It's the battle we wanted this.

Odegaard is getting everywhere, now just back helping his defence to maintain control, if you can call anyone really having much control in this non-stop, high-energy first half.

Chance! And it's a decent one for Guehi who rises alone for the cross but tamely heads for Raya to catch.

Oh! Reilly!

The City fullback seemed to be under too much pressure to get out of that situation but incredible skill sees him escape... and I think with a cheeky nutmeg too. Talk about a player's stock on the rise!

City look threatening on the break – not unexpectedly given their talent and pace in attacking areas – but there's a distinct lack of control. So many times they've handed their visitors a chance to take over and create. Not that anything too dangerous has come of it.

I know there were a few nervous, maybe even pessimistic, Arsenal fans not looking forward to this clash.

If there are any choosing not to watch, or maybe about to board a plane and miss the rest of the game, I can tell them that they are showing a good account of themselves thus far.

Cherki making an impact

Guardiola has a of getting half-decent players into this team.

So, 20 minutes in and it feels like we're just starting again. The euphoria of the opening goal wiped out in seconds thanks to a goalkeeping blunder.

Wait a moment, Semenyo is played in by Haaland.... but then slips and can't latch onto the pass. 

Havertz levels it up

Cherki gives City lead

A really good couple of minutes from Arsenal. Odegaard at the heart of balls in behind, and Havertz wastes a glorious chance.

This is the first time that the home fans have, en masse, started booing the Arsenal play. It's a little early for them to be playing for time but some steady ‘knocking it around the back’ is not a popular choice here.

Remember, a draw suits the visitors.

Odegaard looks really keen to get on the ball today. That's a great sign for Gunners fans.

If he can help them tick, then the City backline will have their troubles.

Lots of interplay across the middle fo the park from both teams before Arsenal eventually find a clever pass down the left inside channel for Havertz. He turns and gets a strike away but it's blocked for a corner.

Pressure of the German to perform today.

The visitors give Raya a breather and force a corner. They love a corner.

Big men up and delivery is into the mixer as you'd expect. City survive that brief scare.

Madness! Two blocks inside the Arsenal area keep them unscathed but the second sees the City players screaming for a penalty.

I've had a quick look at the replay and there's a debate to be had. Clearly VAR didn't think it was worth calling the ref over.

Raya almost hands Haaland and the home side a dream start. Not sure exactly what he was doing but he got away with it...just!

Straight into the action, no tippy tapping from the off like we've seen in the past.

City get a free kick in their own half. Go long. Arsenal look to build quickly. Snuffed out.

Let's hope for this pace to continue.

Peeeeep! We're off

The whistle blows...

Blue Moon rings out

If you want to join in with the home fans, here are the lyrics:

 

Blue moon,
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own. 

Blue moon,
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for. 

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold. 

Blue moon,
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own.

Arsenal XI and subs

Man City XI and subs

History

Did you know that this rivalry used to be completely one-sided?

Between 2017 and 2023, Manchester City beat Arsenal in 12 consecutive league matches.

Players in the tunnel

While a massive sky blue banner covers the grass, I can see some of the players in the tunnel about to enter the fray.

It's already noisy out there, just wait till the local heroes make an appearance.

Goals matter

Given how tight things are at the top, goal difference could be the big decider. As I've said, a City win today and in their game in hand, means both teams will be on the same points

Arsenal currently have a three goal advantage on their Manchester rivals but that will be cut with those two wins by, at the very least, two.

Goals, goals, goals. Let's go...

We're 15 minutes away from kick off and the tension is already growing in and around the stadium... as well as much further afield.

These two clubs have incredible support all round the world (as I can see from those of you joining me) and no doubt they're keeping an eye on things in the International Space Station too... although I've not seen any comments yet from them. C'mon guys!

Premier League

“Where we are changes our relationship” - Arteta on Guardiola

It's worth remembering that Arteta and Guardiola are no strangers, with a relationship going back years.

It began at Barcelona, where a young Arteta looked up to Guardiola as an idol and tactical reference point. They stayed in contact as their careers developed, building mutual respect long before working together.

That connection deepened at Manchester City between 2016 and 2019, where Arteta joined Guardiola's staff. What is often described as an apprenticeship was, in reality, a close collaboration. Guardiola valued Arteta’s ideas, and their relationship became one of trust, shared thinking, and daily partnership.

Everything shifted when Arteta took over at Arsenal in 2019, as our Dave explains.

City ready

Take part in our poll

How the table looks

So, as you can see, it's pretty simple: an Arsenal win and the Gunners have (almost certainly) wrapped up the Premier League title.

A tie, and City need snookers (ask me if you need that term explained!)

A win for Pep's slickers and nerves in two cities keep jangling.

Premier League

Erling Haaland calm before Arsenal match despite four match goal drought 

It's a match that could end up deciding the league, but don't tell that to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian marksman spoke before the match, and played down the pressure of this match, saying Manchester City have “nothing to lose.”

The timing of this match, and the implications it could have on the race are massive, but Haaland isn’t stressing the match or his subpar run of goal scoring form in the league. “Right now, I’m quite calm,” he told Sky Sports. ”It’s one game a week, which is really unusual for us.”

The former Borussia Dortmund striker hasn’t scored a goal in the Premier League since mid February when he found the back of the net against Fulham in City’s 3-0 win. He did however net a hat trick in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool at the beginning of the month, so he still just as dangerous as ever. 

His league form hasn’t exactly been up to his lofty standards, although his 22 PL goals would suggest otherwise. Being held scoreless in four straight league matches is strange for him, but City have been able to make up in front of goal whenever Haaland fails to put his name on the scoresheet.

City's strength at the back

There's no Rúben Dias again for Pep. That's no surprise, but it’s still relevant.

He’s the organiser, the one who keeps distances right, who manages transitions before they become dangerous.

Instead, it’s going to be Guehi and Khusanov again. They’ve been solid, but they'll likely have to be tight on positioning if the visitors link up like they can.

Arteta changing the attack

You'll have likely spotted the potentially significant tweaks from Arteta: Odegaard replacing Martinelli and Havertz coming in for Gyokeres.

I'll be keeping a close eye on how they line up and then look to exploit openings once we're underway.

Premier League

Zubimendi, right on time

This game is exactly why Arsenal brought Zubimendi in, with Liverpool having looked like favorites to snatch his services.

He's not for games where they dominate comfortably, although he can do that just fine. But for games like this, where they need to survive long stretches without losing their structure, he can be crucial.

Zubimendi is there to do three things, states our Pablo in the attached article:

- slow the game when it gets too fast

- keep possession without forcing it

- give Rice the freedom to move higher

If Arsenal manage to play through City's press rather than around it, he'll be central to that.

HAVE YOUR SAY

You've seen the teams, now share your thoughts before kick-off. It's easy to do it after...

For what it's worth, I think City will indeed take all three points today. Maybe, as a relative neutral, I just want the excitement of the title race to go down to the last day, and so that may be driving my prediction.

I do know that for my Arsenal friends' blood pressure, a comfortable Gunners victory today would be just what the doctor ordered.

Arsenal starting line-up

Arsenal XI: David Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Odegaard; Havertz

Man City starting line-up

Man City XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O'Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

Team news is in

First up, Man City...

Premier League

Why isn’t Bukayo Saka playing for Arsenal against Manchester City? Injury update

Team news is almost here but what I can tell you is that Bukayo Saka is missing with an Achilles problem.

You can talk about replacements – Madueke, Martinelli shifting, even younger options – but it's not really about that.

Saka is the player Arsenal go to when the game tightens, at least when he's on it. When they need someone to take responsibility in difficult moments. And today could be that.

Without him, the ball tends to move more… collectively. Which sounds fine, until you need one player to just take over a situation.

That’s what they lose.

Wembley didn’t stay at Wembley

I didn't mention the Carabao Cup final, something that could have turned into something bigger.

At the time City took the trophy, but Arsenal still had three (bigger) fish to fry. But since then Arteta's troops haven't really regained control of their season.

It’s not been dramatic, but it’s there, a slight loss of authority. The sense that they’re reacting now, rather than dictating.

City, meanwhile, used it as a pivot point.

Gunning for it

There's another generation of Arsenal fans born every year not knowing what it is to celebrate winning the league. Surely this is the season to end that!

Let's talk about Arsenal’s "wobble"

There's a narrative going around, you've maybe heard it, that Arsenal are in the process of bottling a solid lead at the top of the table. Let's actually look at it properly, because it matters:

Lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth

Knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton

Drew 0-0 with Sporting (but went through in Champions League thanks to very late goal in first leg)

Only one win in their last five

That’s not a blip you brush off with “bad day.” That’s a run. But then again, they have only dropped those 3 points in the league since 18 February in a draw against Wolves). Not too shabby.

But there's a feeling...

Home comforts

A clash of the top two late it the season is one thing, but when the clouds shift over and the sky matches the stadium colours, well...

If I had more time I'd write a poem.

Man City vs Arsenal: title decider?

Hello and a very warm welcome! What a game we have for you today. Yes, the fixture list gods have indeed been kind to us. Let me explain to those less in the know...

Arsenal lead the Premier League by six. That's the headline. But the detail underneath matters more.

Manchester City have a game in hand, which means a win today cuts it to three with another opportunity already scheduled. That’s not chasing anymore, that’s being within reach. If they were both to finish on the same points, the tie-breaker come into play. More on that in a bit...

City boss Pep Guardiola hasn’t hidden from the situation. He said defeat today ends their title hopes. Not “makes it difficult.” Ends it.

So the stakes aren’t symmetrical.

Arsenal can survive a draw (and maybe even a loss). City can’t.

But here’s the thing... psychologically, it rarely feels that way on the pitch.