Match Report: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League)

Manchester City went top of the Premier League table after a battling victory over title challengers Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Dubbed the biggest game of the season, the feisty clash came to life as Kevin De Bruyne’s masterful chipped shot gave City the lead, but a contentious penalty converted by Bukayo Saka levelled the scores heading into the break.

Pep Guardiola’s side came out of the tunnel energetic but saw their penalty waived away by VAR following an offside but this mattered little as City came forward again, this time Haaland passed the ball though, leading to a Jack Grealish strike to give City the advantage once more.

The important win was confirmed as Haaland then got his goal at long last, converting from a sharp De Bruyne pass, sending City top of the table.

The result means that Arsenal must continue to wait for a Premier League win over Manchester City, with their last league victory against the Cityzens coming in 2015 and the Gunners having lost their last 11 games to their northern opponents.

Wednesday’s top of the table clash started in an expectably cagey manner, with both sides cautious not to give the other an advantage early on.

The first big chance of the night fell to the home side but Eddie Nketiah could not direct his header goalward, spurning a golden opportunity.

Arsenal were made to pay for this sloppiness mere minutes later as City’s talisman Kevin De Bruyne both thought and shot outside of the box to score from distance.

After Takehiro Tomiyasu’s misplaced pass was intercepted by De Bruyne, the Belgian beautifully chipped Aaron Ramsdale to fire City into the lead.

THE CHAMPIONS HAVE THE LEAD!!! 🚨 @primevideosport pic.twitter.com/dkXNKUWWlt

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 15, 2023

Tomiyasu then tried to make amends but he saw his shot fly over the bar and into the ducking home supporters.

City’s goalkeeper Ederson was later booked for time wasting in the 35th minute.

The Brazilian then gave away a penalty by taking out Nketiah with a clumsy challenge and Bukayo Saka confidently dispatched the penalty despite a long wait.

Bernardo Silva, playing as an auxiliary left back for the evening, was then shown a yellow card for blocking Saka’s surging run.

City almost took the lead through a well worked free-kick, but Rodri saw his powerful header bounce off of the ground and strike Arsenal’s bar.

The two sides went into the break with a goal scored apiece and nothing to separate them.

The visitors were awarded a penalty early on in the second half after Erling Haaland was wrestled to the ground by Gabriel but this decision was reversed after the Norwegian was found to have been in an offside position.

Arsenal fans celebrated the news like they had scored the winner. They had not.

The first City change of the night saw Manuel Akanji brought on for Riyad Mahrez.

Tomiyasu’s cross caused a scare for the City backline but the sliding Nketiah could not convert from the great chance but in front of him.

Back at the other end substitute Akanji saw his effort cleared off the line in a goal line scramble.

City refused to let the atmosphere of the Emirates affect them and instead came forward boldly in the hope of grabbing a goal.

This hope came into fruition as Haaland surged forward and passed to Ilkay Gundogan on the edge of the Arsenal box.

The German masterfully let the ball roll past him to the onrushing Jack Grealish, who in turn, leathered a shot past Ramsdale to give his side the lead again.

City’s Catalan coach then decided to reinforce his battling Blues by taking off the goal scorer Grealish, who had a wonderful game, and replaced him with Phil Foden.

And just like that, the Emirates’ atmosphere was extinguished as Erling Braut Haaland secured a desrved third goal for the visitors.

After some great build-up play from the Premier League champions, De Bruyne’s pass set the Norwegian through on goal, and the big striker did not miss his chance.

Kalvin Phillips then entered play for the departing De Bruyne to sure up the City rearguard and close out the result.

City now find themselves top of the table on goal difference while Arsenal, who have a game in hand, dropping to second place.

Guardiola’s men are next in action on Saturday as they travel to Nottingham Forest for another Premier League clash.