EPL: Arsenal Lose With Heads Held High Against Manchester City

Manchester City came from a goal behind at Arsenal to grab their 10th straight league victory against the Gunners who didn't go down without a fight for the first time in a long while.

Bukayo Saka had put the home side ahead in a much dominating first half display by the North London club, but a penalty from Riyad Mahrez and a late goal from Rodri Hernandez ensured that the visitors ended the New Year Day 11 points clear of their closest rival.

With Mikel Arteta out isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, his assistant, Albert Stuivenberg took charge of the team on the touchline, assisted by Carlos Cuesta and just one change was made to the team from their win against Norwich on Boxing Day. Takehiro Tomiyasu returning to the team after recovering from Covid-19, meaning Rob Holing dropped to the bench and Ben White moved back into the center of defence, having played at right back against Norwich.

Three changes were made by Pep Guardiola with Rodri getting the nod ahead of Fernandinho, while Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez also started for the Blues.

Arsenal had penalty shouts in the 11th minute when Martin Odegaard was set up by Alexandre Lacazette before being brought down under a challenge from Ederson Moraes, but VAR saw nothing wrong with the tackle and only a corner kick was given.

A few minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli called his compatriot into action with a low drive at the near post which the goalkeeper smothered. He didn't have answer, however, to the next Arsenal attack as the Gunners took the lead and went into the break ahead.

One of the numerous counterattacking moves by Arsenal on the day as they switched play to the left. Kieran Tierney had a lot of space to run into and he did well to send a low cross into the box, where Saka was arriving to sweep a low shot into the bottom right corner of Ederson's goal.

A frenzy 10 minutes at the start of the second half changed the face of the game for Arsenal. Granit Xhaka pulled down Bernando Silva in the box and a penalty was given following VAR review after referee Stuart Atwell initially waved the claims off. Mahrez stepped up after a long wait to send into the right corner.

It was almost an instant response from Arsenal, thanks to a mix up at the back for City as Ruben Dias sends a back pass header over Ederson with the balling rolling slowly into the net. His blushes was saved by Nathan Ake who read the danger on time and made a last dicth slide to keep the ball out, which fell straight to Martinelli, but the Brazilian could only guide his first time left-footed effort against the outside of the post.

Leading up to the penalty, Gabriel Maghaeles was booked for scuffing the penalty spot and two minutes later, he was sent off for another foul on Gabriel Jesus in the centre circle.

Odeegard was sacrificed to bring on Holding to shore up the defence and understandably, the game was one-sided to City going forward. They had to nonetheless, wait until the third minute of additional time to get the win as Arsenal failed to clear their lines and Rodrin swept home for the three points.