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Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City: Rodri scores late winner

By Alex BysouthBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments5325

Rodri celebrates his late winner
Rodri's goal is Manchester City’s latest winner in a Premier League match since Gabriel Jesus against Southampton in May 2018

Rodri scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester City beat 10-man Arsenal in an incident-packed encounter to move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

That advantage will be cut to some extent on Sunday when second-placed Chelsea host third-placed Liverpool, although no team has failed to win the Premier League title when beginning the new year with a lead as big as City's.

Arsenal looked to have held out for a draw, but Rodri steered in a loose ball in the 93rd minute to help City claim an 11th successive league win in a game that also had two major VAR incidents and an avoidable red card for Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

The hosts were the better side early on at Emirates Stadium, and Bukayo Saka swept in a deserved opener to finish off a slick move before the Gunners self-destructed after the break.

Riyad Mahrez levelled from the penalty spot after Bernardo Silva was brought down by Granit Xhaka, referee Stuart Attwell overturning his initial decision after viewing the pitchside monitor.

Arsenal felt aggrieved at that call after their own shouts for a penalty in the first half were denied following a long VAR check for Ederson's tackle on Martin Odegaard.

But one minute after conceding from a penalty Gabriel was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for trying to scuff up the spot and the second for a foul on Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal, whose manager Mikel Arteta was forced to watch from home following a positive Covid-19 test, remain fourth in the table.

Arsenal were the better team and Man City could not compete - Pep Guardiola

City outlast improved Gunners

City are the blueprint for Arsenal in terms of their playing style and philosophy and, while a young Gunners side remain some way behind in their evolution under former City assistant manager Arteta, they showed how far they have come this season.

Pep Guardiola found his City team up against a completely different outfit to the one they dismantled 5-0 in August to briefly send Arsenal to the bottom of the table.

Guardiola said beforehand this would be the best Arsenal team he has faced during his time in England, despite Arteta - the Gunners' "most important player", according to Guardiola - having to watch this one unfold from home.

With assistant Albert Stuivenberg on the touchline, the energetic hosts swarmed and pressed in an electric opening half an hour.

They capitalised on their dominant start with a goal out of the leaders' playbook, Ben White winning back possession and starting a swift counter-attack which ended when Kieran Tierney slid a ball weighted perfectly for Saka to send a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

It was only the second first-half goal Manchester City have conceded in the league this season.

An earlier slick move had put Martin Odegaard in behind the City defence only for goalkeeper Ederson to get a touch on the ball, with the video assistant referee taking a long look before agreeing with the on-field decision that it was not a penalty.

Perhaps that added to Arsenal's frustration when they had a penalty awarded against them after VAR intervened, but a momentary loss of composure cost them.

Gabriel's two yellow cards came either side of Gabriel Martinelli striking the bar in what was a frantic few minutes after Mahrez levelled from the spot.

Arsenal were forced to dig in and defend after that and looked to have done enough until a hopeful cross from the right dropped to midfielder Rodri, who poked the ball beyond Aaron Ramsdale.

Despite their improvement, it means Arsenal have lost all five of their Premier League meetings under Arteta against former mentor Guardiola.

Stuivenberg 'frustrated' with result but proud of Arsenal progress

A late blow for City's title rivals

Guardiola's domestic juggernauts racked up records for goals and points in 2021 and will finish New Year's Day in 2022 with a lead that has only been bettered twice in the Premier League era.

Manchester United in 1993-94 and City themselves in 2017-18 - both of whom held 12-point leads - went on to win the competition and Rodri's late goal must have left City's title rivals feeling deflated this time round.

They did have early chances. Gabriel Jesus steered a header wide and Ruben Dias flicked another beyond the post, but the game turned in their favour after the break.

City have not lost in the league since October and have had to show resilience in their past two games to maintain their impressive winning run.

But, for all the goals and free-flowing football, it may just be the 1-0 win at Brentford on Wednesday and this victory - their latest winning goal in the league in more than three years - that gives City the edge come the end of the season.

Player of the match

SakaBukayo Saka

with an average of 7.35

Arsenal

  1. Squad number7Player nameSaka
    Average rating

    7.35

  2. Squad number5Player namePartey
    Average rating

    7.29

  3. Squad number3Player nameTierney
    Average rating

    7.28

  4. Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
    Average rating

    7.05

  5. Squad number35Player nameGabriel Martinelli
    Average rating

    6.98

  6. Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
    Average rating

    6.87

  7. Squad number4Player nameWhite
    Average rating

    6.71

  8. Squad number9Player nameLacazette
    Average rating

    6.53

  9. Squad number32Player nameRamsdale
    Average rating

    6.52

  10. Squad number10Player nameSmith Rowe
    Average rating

    6.14

  11. Squad number16Player nameHolding
    Average rating

    5.75

  12. Squad number25Player nameMohamed Elneny
    Average rating

    5.52

  13. Squad number34Player nameXhaka
    Average rating

    5.44

  14. Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
    Average rating

    5.24

Manchester City

  1. Squad number26Player nameMahrez
    Average rating

    6.19

  2. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    6.06

  3. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    5.95

  4. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    5.92

  5. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
    Average rating

    5.88

  6. Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo
    Average rating

    5.82

  7. Squad number6Player nameAké
    Average rating

    5.70

  8. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    5.69

  9. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    5.66

  10. Squad number14Player nameLaporte
    Average rating

    5.63

  11. Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus
    Average rating

    5.44

  12. Squad number7Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    5.35

Line-ups

Arsenal

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 32Ramsdale
  • 18Tomiyasu
  • 4White
  • 6GabrielBooked at 59mins
  • 3Tierney
  • 5Partey
  • 34XhakaBooked at 55mins
  • 7SakaBooked at 63minsSubstituted forElnenyat 84'minutes
  • 8ØdegaardSubstituted forHoldingat 63'minutesBooked at 68mins
  • 35Martinelli
  • 9LacazetteSubstituted forSmith Roweat 71'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Leno
  • 10Smith Rowe
  • 15Maitland-Niles
  • 16Holding
  • 17Cédric Soares
  • 19Pépé
  • 20Tavares
  • 23Sambi Lokonga
  • 25Elneny

Man City

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 31Ederson
  • 27Cancelo
  • 3Rúben Dias
  • 14Laporte
  • 6Aké
  • 20Bernardo SilvaBooked at 90mins
  • 16RodriBooked at 90mins
  • 26Mahrez
  • 17De Bruyne
  • 7Sterling
  • 9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forGündoganat 63'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Walker
  • 8Gündogan
  • 10Grealish
  • 13Steffen
  • 25Fernandinho
  • 37Kayky
  • 79Mbete
  • 80Palmer
  • 87McAtee
Referee:
Stuart Attwell
Attendance:
59,757

Match Stats

Home TeamArsenalAway TeamMan City
Possession
Home29%
Away71%
Shots
Home7
Away15
Shots on Target
Home2
Away2
Corners
Home5
Away5
Fouls
Home13
Away5

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Arsenal 1, Manchester City 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Arsenal 1, Manchester City 2.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City).

  4. Post update

    Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Booking

    Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.

  6. Post update

    Offside, Manchester City. Raheem Sterling tries a through ball, but Kevin De Bruyne is caught offside.

  7. Booking

    Rodri (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.

  8. Goal!

    Goal! Arsenal 1, Manchester City 2. Rodri (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

  9. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  10. Post update

    Attempt blocked. João Cancelo (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.

  11. Post update

    João Cancelo (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Kieran Tierney (Arsenal).

  13. Post update

    Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Nathan Aké.

  14. Post update

    Offside, Manchester City. Nathan Aké tries a through ball, but Rúben Dias is caught offside.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Granit Xhaka.

  16. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by João Cancelo.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal. Mohamed Elneny replaces Bukayo Saka.

  18. Post update

    Hand ball by Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).

  19. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Rúben Dias (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  20. Post update

    Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Comments

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5325 comments

  • Comment posted by Wookie, at 14:55 1 Jan

    Gabriel let his team down, it’s hard enough against City with 11 players let alone 10. Two silly bookings

    • Reply posted by OGS, at 14:56 1 Jan

      OGS replied:
      The problem with VAR is the interpretation of the phrase "clear and obvious mistake". Why just not make it "if it's a penalty adjudged by VAR and the referee didn't give it, get the referee to review it". It's absolute nonsense and destroying the game.

      Also it was clear dive by Bernardo Silva notwithstanding the stupidity of Xhaka pulling his shirt.

  • Comment posted by AJ, at 14:52 1 Jan

    👏 Firstly well one to both teams in a good competitive PL game.

    Sadly this is another game that will be overshadowed by VAR!! or should I say the inconsistent approach by the people who are control VAR!! it's undermining the game.

    • Reply posted by OGS, at 14:58 1 Jan

      OGS replied:
      The problem with VAR is the interpretation of the phrase "clear and obvious mistake". Why just not make it "if it's a penalty adjudged by VAR and the referee didn't give it, get the referee to review it". It's absolute nonsense and destroying the game.

      Also it was clear dive by Bernardo Silva notwithstanding the stupidity of Xhaka pulling his shirt.

  • Comment posted by sod79, at 14:54 1 Jan

    Arsenal have no one to blame but themselves. Gabriel was correct to be sent off.

    • Reply posted by Bolt, at 15:01 1 Jan

      Bolt replied:
      1st they dont tell the ref to check our penalty shot but tell him to check the other one. Then they give a pen to city. This man Bernando is falling before xhaka wven sticks his leg out. People say that xhaka pulled his shirt and its true but hes pulling his shirt in the opposite direction that silva is falling. Point is their were too many inconsistencies and are players lacked any game managemen

  • Comment posted by Chris, at 14:54 1 Jan

    As an Arsenal fan I'd have been happy with a point and before the match I wouldn't have been gutted with a close-fought 2-1 loss, given previous results against City, but this one's pretty sickening. Still, encouraging to see a much higher quality of play from Arsenal in the last few months than I've seen for years. Feeling positive about the rest of the season.

    • Reply posted by manchesterblue, at 15:10 1 Jan

      manchesterblue replied:
      thought Arsenal we're excellent first half.... they need to learn discipline though... even if they think theyre aggrieved

  • Comment posted by Realist, at 14:59 1 Jan

    The most bias commentary I've ever heard. BT should be ashamed. Ex Arsenal and ex Pool both deluded.

    • Reply posted by Alan D S, at 15:19 1 Jan

      Alan D S replied:
      Couldn't agree more total joke

  • Comment posted by AJ, at 14:53 1 Jan

    Man City one step closer to the title and also credit to the Gunners who showed real fight, a really good turn around at the club.

  • Comment posted by Brain, at 14:54 1 Jan

    As a neutral I thought the referee was excellent. Replays vindicated the City Penalty. Gabriel was just plain stupid.

    • Reply posted by Gene Flackman, at 14:56 1 Jan

      Gene Flackman replied:
      Careful, Arsenal fans like to control the narrative and you're not playing ball.

  • Comment posted by Eddie Krausse, at 14:54 1 Jan

    Xhaka must go. Too many times now.

    • Reply posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 15:05 1 Jan

      Specialist_in_tailoring replied:
      One of the problems with Xhaka is it appears he never learnt how to 'jockey' as in 'be on your toes and take a few steps backwards". Always over-commits! ALWAYS
      His back-pedalling is atrocious for a midfielder. He needs to be given more drills on the ladder to quicken his feet.

  • Comment posted by ingmarsen, at 14:59 1 Jan

    I'm no Arsenal fan but they did very well for 90 odd minutes , even with 10 men and no Arteta . Though typical dumb footballer moment from Gabriel , get booked then few minutes later get yourself 2nd booking . C'mon at this level should know better !!!

    • Reply posted by yarp, at 16:30 1 Jan

      yarp replied:
      At this level they are just as dumb as the vast majority of footballers.

  • Comment posted by Victor Meldrew - the Crimson Avenger, at 14:52 1 Jan

    Good game ruined by poor and inconsistent refereeing/VAR. City had more men on the pitch before the sending off but silly first yellow for Gabriel. Not an Arsenal fan, but they deserved something from this game.

  • Comment posted by erik, at 14:54 1 Jan

    Just as in the spurs Liverpool game , the ref was actually consistent but the application of VAR was not , it will decide the league , so so depressing

    • Reply posted by SuperDuper, at 15:10 1 Jan

      SuperDuper replied:
      Ain't even football anymore. Just literally people behind desks deciding games. How progressive we are

  • Comment posted by Prescotian, at 15:00 1 Jan

    I sometimes wonder at the stupidity of some footballers who seem to think that the officials, VAR and 60,000 will not notice a blatant attempt to damage the penalty spot hopefully causing Mahrez to miskick the ball! Durrr!

    • Reply posted by Ididnotknowthat, at 17:09 1 Jan

      Ididnotknowthat replied:
      The Ref missed the goalie doing it although it was caught on camera.

  • Comment posted by Bob, at 14:57 1 Jan

    I don't see what the media are on about - Ederson on Odergaard, it looked like Ederson got a bit of the ball. Xhaka on Silva was 2 fouls, the first for leaving his leg in and clipping Silva and the second for a blatant shirt pull.

    Arsenal played really well and should take heart from that but the decisions were correct.

    • Reply posted by matta, at 15:09 1 Jan

      matta replied:
      Replays on BT show Ederson did not get the ball. Clear penalty. The rest yeah fair enough

  • Comment posted by ss978, at 15:00 1 Jan

    Cheating of the highest order in terms of scuffing up the penalty spot and wow why no mention of the number of bottles thrown. Same old Arsenal

    • Reply posted by Jockney, at 15:36 1 Jan

      Jockney replied:
      Well they are famous for "bottling" it after all 🤣

  • Comment posted by eddie17reg, at 14:54 1 Jan

    Big win in a very tough game, Arsenal's indiscipline costs them again. City are the toughest-best team in this league and should now go on and win the League. Arsenal are on the up

    • Reply posted by Footballfan, at 15:00 1 Jan

      Footballfan replied:
      Lucky win with the help from refs

  • Comment posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 15:14 1 Jan

    Arsenal fans booing and throwing bottles at players. They are disgrace to the club

  • Comment posted by richiep, at 14:52 1 Jan

    Unlucky Arsenal. You deserved at least a point

    • Reply posted by Info Addict, at 14:58 1 Jan

      Info Addict replied:
      They didn't because the red card was deserved.

  • Comment posted by Hedley Lamarr , at 15:13 1 Jan

    No idea what the arsenal fans are whingeing about, the decisions were correct, and no i’m not a city fan. Arteta seems to have told his players to win by any means necessary which was the same v west ham, faking injuries, surrounding the referee. Gabriel got what he deserved and so did arsenal.

    • Reply posted by MadGooner, at 16:47 1 Jan

      MadGooner replied:
      go watch the game again.. sober this time.

  • Comment posted by gooner0, at 14:53 1 Jan

    As an Arsenal fan, I can only be proud of the performance and the clear progress we’re making, gave the best team in the league a game. As for the referee…

    • Reply posted by Chris1995, at 14:56 1 Jan

      Chris1995 replied:
      Best not mention Gabriel on the penalty spot

  • Comment posted by Crotty, at 14:53 1 Jan

    League winning result?

    • Reply posted by jimjam, at 15:08 1 Jan

      jimjam replied:
      Definitely all over - people can keep crying about decisions but City prove yet again they are far and away the best team and have been for years - I think this will be their 4th title in 5 years??

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Man City21172253134053
2Chelsea20126243142942
3Liverpool19125250163441
4Arsenal2011273325835
5West Ham20104637271034
6Tottenham1810352320333
7Man Utd189453026431
8Wolves187471314-125
9Leicester187473133-225
10Brighton185941718-124
11Crystal Palace205872930-123
12Aston Villa1871102428-422
13Southampton194962029-921
14Brentford185582125-420
15Everton175482129-819
16Leeds183781836-1816
17Watford1841132236-1413
18Burnley161871524-911
19Newcastle1918101942-2311
20Norwich192413842-3410
View full Premier League table

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