The moment had come, Arsenal and Manchester City the game leaders in England, the football makers of a new total football and two friends that became rivals to tell the world whose team was better.
Guardiola and Arteta had the chance to show their brilliance in an ultimate clash that valued the continuity of a European place and a new start, the one for the title.
Ake had the perfect chance to send Manchester City ahead in the fifth minute after Josko Gvardiol’s shot was saved in the line by Gabriel.
The game turned aggressive
Jorginho was penalized with a yellow for pushing Phil Foden in the 11th minute. Bernardo Silva was also booked for tacking Eddie Nketiah in the 23rd.
The aggressive play by Manchester City with Mateo Kovacic who was booked after being to harsh in the foul he made to Martin Odegaard.
Manchester City needed to find the rhythm of the game and to find more spaces by controlling their players. Alvarez tried one in the 33rd but his shot went wide.
Kovacic was warned for his foul on Declan Rice in the 35th and should be sent off but Michael Oliver chose to continue the play.
Two minutes were added on as the two teams closed the first half goalless and with too many fouls in the midfield.
Gabriel Martinelli came on for Leandro Trossard as Arsenal wanted to attack more and create more chances. City had Kovacic and Silva with a yellow and could not risk more.
Martinelli crossed for Gabriel Jesus on the box in 47th, but his cross was useless. Martinelli shot in the 51st, but Raya was there to collect the ball.
Rico Lewis scored in the 55th, but his goal was ruled out for a foul in the midfield. Manchester City had the possession with Bernardo Silva in the midfield in the 60th, but this was not enough for City to look in the opposition half and create spaces.
Guardiola decided to bring in the field Doku and Stones in the upcoming minutes to change things in the midfield and in the defense. Manchester City had the chance to create in the 67th with Ake and Diaz as the main initiators.
Arsenal played better in the second half
Matheuz Nunez was coming on for Mateo Kovacic and Doku together with Stones came on for Lewis and Alvarez in the 68th minute.
Odegaard and Martinelli combined in the 74th, but Odegard’s shot went wide.
Havertz and Partey came on the pitch in the 75th replacing Jorginho and Nketiah. Zinchenko left the pitch for Tomiyasu to make the team a little bit more defensive.
City had the initiative and could have scored if Arsenal had not had two lines behind the ball. The Gunners were careful not to concede in the 84th minute.
They had the ideal chance to score in the 87th and Martinelli converted a shot into a goal after the deflection of Nathan Ake.
Arsenal was near the three points and Mikel Arteta beat the second Manchester team in the same manner. Four minutes were added on and Arsenal had a deserved lead and a victory that sent them in second place with 20 points as Tottenham, leaving City in third place.
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