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The important thing second didn’t come within the ninth minute when Erling Haaland scored. Or within the 93rd minute when the brand new “super-sub” Gabriel Martinelli earned a dramatic and in the end deserved late draw.

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As an alternative it got here at half-time when Mikel Arteta conceded he received his ways and group choice incorrect and determined to launch the handbrake.

Off got here Mikel Merino and Noni Madueke – the latter had been Arsenal’s greatest participant in an in any other case dismal first-half for them however felt unwell – and on got here the returning Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.

Eberechi Eze (proper) offered the help for Gabriel Martinelli’s equaliser having been launched as a second-half substitute – Getty Photos/Justin Setterfield

Off, additionally, got here that handbrake. Up till then Arsenal had felt held again, not simply by , however by Arteta and likewise felt far too emotional, far too frantic and missing in management.

They began with a midfield three of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Merino nevertheless it was too defensive and starved of creativity. “Too straightforward to say that,” Arteta stated when requested whether or not he had taken too conservative an strategy. But it surely undoubtedly seemed like that.

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“No one requested me concerning the midfield three in Bilbao, no person,” Arteta bristled, referring to beginning the identical trio within the in opposition to Athletic Bilbao. Sure, however that was away from residence. This sport, with Arsenal absolutely eager to take the initiative from the primary whistle, was not.

Hindsight is a superb factor. However wouldn’t it haven’t made sense, within the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard, to permit Eze to play within the No 10 function from the beginning? It was from there that he delivered such an incisive move to fellow substitute Martinelli who calmly ran on to beat the stranded Gianluigi Donnarumma with a exact lob.

It got here deep into damage time, not simply 36 seconds after he was launched as Martinelli intervened in scoring the essential opening aim in Bilbao final Tuesday. Then it was together with his first touches. This time it was together with his third.

By the top Arsenal had not simply equalised however decreased Pep Guardiola to alter his personal ways, taking the unprecedented strategy of “parking the bus” and taking part in with a again 5 and even ending and not using a striker because the exhausted Haaland got here off.

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Certainly all three of his most important attackers – Haaland, Phil Foden and the reworked Jérémy Doku – have been substituted which spoke to the truth that this was a 3rd taxing sport for Metropolis in simply eight days and that each one three had began every of these video games.

There was additionally one thing else unprecedented for Guardiola. On the remaining whistle his group claimed simply 32.82 per cent possession – the bottom ever for Metropolis beneath him in what was his 601st sport in cost.

What did all of it imply? A draw was a good end result. No query. Each groups saved face even when there was nonetheless a winner: Liverpool. The champions have a five-point lead over second-place Arsenal and, already, are eight forward of ninth-placed Metropolis after simply 5 video games.

Early days, after all, however gaps like that can’t be allowed to develop if we’re to have the title race all of us crave.

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In a way the onus actually is extra on Arteta. He has a squad geared up to win the league. There aren’t any extra excuses even when he’s up in opposition to the formidable Guardiola and Arne Slot.

Taking “the handbrake off” was a phrase related to Arsène Wenger, the final Arsenal supervisor to win the Premier League 21 years in the past, and Arteta should take a look at the chance and reward of being a bit bolder.

“I go away that to you, however for me it’s a whole lot of attacking gamers in that group, sure,” Arteta responded when requested whether or not he had taken a safety-first strategy.

The Arsenal social media accounts had stated it. “Make a press release,” they proclaimed pre-match. That meant win. And win in type. But it surely nagged away, that feeling that Arteta was not fairly courageous sufficient to unleash the attacking expertise at his disposal with such a powerful, deep squad.

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Time will inform whether or not Arteta’s strategy is the suitable one. To be vindicated he must win the title or the Champions League. In any other case we’ll replicate on video games like this and factors dropped identical to the slim defeat away to Liverpool the place it additionally appeared they might have been extra optimistic and go for the victory.

Possibly that’s harsh, given Arsenal have been away from residence, given it took a Dominik Szoboszlai marvel aim to beat them, however right here they have been on the Emirates, had two days extra to organize for this than Metropolis and absolutely needed to go for it a bit extra from the off?

Why make it so onerous for themselves? They fell behind to an outstanding aim as Haaland as soon as once more demonstrated that he’s changing into a extra rounded participant. It was his deft lay-off inside his personal half that allowed Tijjani Reijnders to run from deep with Haaland sprinting previous him to gather the move and beat David Raya. He made it look straightforward. It was not. It was additionally his fifth league aim in six video games and the primary Arsenal have conceded in open play this season.

Erling Haaland gave Man Metropolis an early lead together with his fifth Premier League aim of the season – Getty Photos/Glyn Kirk

After that it was a query of whether or not Arsenal might get again into it, whether or not they had the guile, or whether or not Metropolis would kill them off.

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There was a shot from Madueke earlier than half-time, turned away by Donnarumma, nevertheless it was not till Arteta made the modifications that Arsenal threatened with out actually trying like scoring though the goalkeeper saved properly from Eze.

Eze would finally make a decisive contribution to salvage a degree. However was it one gained or two dropped for Arsenal and the way large a component did Arteta play in that? We might have to attend till Could to have our reply.

And eventually, Mikel Arteta speaks to Sky Sports activities

I’m very happy with the group, I have to say. We dominated them and I’m very upset with the end result.

We began extremely, performed the sport of their half and didn’t enable them to breathe. However then in a single motion, which was so chaotic, they discover themselves three v two and they’re deadly in these conditions. There are all the time issues we are able to do higher however you additionally must congratulate the opponent.

We had 5 shaky minutes – we needed to reset mentally as a result of it was so unfair. After that we utterly dominated the sport once more.

At half-time I stated that if we stored doing all the great issues and enhance two issues we needed to do higher, then the objectives would come.

[What were those two things?] That stays within the dressing room.

Gabi [Martinelli] most likely deserved to play as we speak. He didn’t however as an alternative of moaning he got here on with unbelievable power to assist the group get a degree. Ebs [Eze] the identical. We are going to want everyone at their greatest this season.

When you can’t win the sport, at the least don’t lose it. However I understand how onerous it’s to do what we’ve finished on the pitch in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, with that stage and that coach. So the general feeling… [makes groan of frustration]. I wished extra reward for the group.

Pep Guardiola speaks to Sky Sports activities

We can’t make an evaluation after what’s occurred this week. We performed Champions League on Thursday and now as we speak in opposition to a group that’s so highly effective. Hats off to the group. They have been so resilient. If you’re not efficient within the excessive urgent it’s all the time os powerful. The result’s truthful. We have been so shut however usually Arsenal have been higher. It was a greater end result than final season and a greater end result than final season in opposition to United so we take [positives] from that.

The togetherness for the reason that switch window closed within the three video games has been high. It’s demanding in opposition to them as a result of they’re so aggressive, and with the lengthy balls, they’ve all the things, free-kicks and corners, they’re the masters.

We take the purpose. We all know we now have to enhance.

They have been higher [at high pressing] and we have been extremely drained. Generally the folks don’t realise. The sport in opposition to Napoli was extremely emotional then we now have a relaxation day after which we now have four-five hours to reach in London. Individuals who reside in London have that privilege however we within the north-east [sic] it takes 4-5 hours [to get here].

In fact [the schedule affects us]. You’re the journalist. We’ve been right here 10 years. You perceive my processes? We’ve all of the accidents – Ait Nouri, Marmoush, Cherki – John Stones has been out injured, Nathan [Ake] multi-times, Khusanov, however if you wish to make it that I’m complaining concerning the schedule then OK, are you happy [that that’s the story now].

We are going to attempt to not be like this [playing 5-4-1]. However when you’ve the opponent, we defend deeper and use the counter-attack however that isn’t our intention to [become a counter-attacking side]. I would like to not do it however you can not count on at this stage to not. Have you learnt what number of occasions we did it [scored on the counter] with Leroy [Sane], Kevin [De Bruyne] and Raheem [Sterling] up to now? It is dependent upon the sport.

A brand new low or a brand new approach to play?Declan Rice speaks to Sky Sports activities

Huge aim. Ever since I’ve come to the membership he [Martinelli] delivers large moments. He reveals his coronary heart and want. He totally deserves it. You couldn’t meet a nicer man. He’s come on and produced a second of magic. I assumed we have been the higher aspect, dominated however truthful play to them.

We’ve gained the respect of the opposition. At my time right here at Arsenal we haven’t dominated a sport like that in opposition to Metropolis. They defended rather well. I believe we’ve gained their respect; they know the standard we now have. It was fixed stress however there was all the time a risk from them on the counter-attack as properly. We deserved a aim. Had we misplaced we’d have been actually upset. Some extent’s most likely truthful. I might sense the frustration [of the crowd]. We knew within the second half we needed to step on it and we created a few probabilities proper from the beginning. I’ve by no means seen them go to 5-4-1 and attempt to dangle on earlier than.

The purpose boosts Arsenal to second, Metropolis to ninthFull time: Arsenal 1 Man Metropolis 1

A deserved late equaliser earned Arsenal a degree as Metropolis’s defence cracked finally.

90+8 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Metropolis free-kick on the left pumped into the field by Reijnders however Arsenal defend it stoutly and the ball goes again to Donnarumma who whacks it lengthy, as does Raya and Nico is fouled to finish that bout of ping pong.

90+5 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal break from a Metropolis free-kick which was bent into their field however Metropolis hadn’t overcommitted and had numbers again to thwart the house aspect.

GOAL!

Arsenal 1 Man Metropolis 1 (Martinelli) Nice end, dinking it over Donnarumma after Eze’s chip over the inside-right channel. Ake and Gavardiol had the possibility to drop however have been making an attempt to play the offside lure, messing up their timing. Beautiful management by Martinelli with a velvety first contact after which the nerve and ability to bypass the enormous keeper by going over him with the skin of his proper boot.

90+1 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Stones heads Rice’s nook out to 30 yards and Saka. Nwaneri places it again into the field, Metropolis head it out once more and carry it upfield.

90 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal hopes revive with the announcement of seven minutes of stoppage time which begin with an Arsenal nook after Nunes put a right-wing cross behind.

89 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Calafiori’s cross is blocked by a sliding Bernardo. It’s been a  actual captain’s efficiency, stuffed with battle and a wee little bit of snark, too.

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Guardiola ends a dialog with the fourth official by grabbing his shoulders and planting a smacker on his cheek.

88 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

“We’re not likely right here” rolls across the stadium from the visiting supporters. Ake has gone out to the left, Stones is in the midst of the again 5.

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John Stones is on – which implies Metropolis will end the sport with 4 central defenders on the pitch.

86 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Calafiori, so extensively praised in the beginning of the season and deservedly, has been very wasteful with attacking headers and photographs.

Extra Metropolis modifications:

Stones → O’ReillySavinho → Doku.

83 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Nico Gonzalez is booked for a foul on Saka that stopped him breaking into the Metropolis half.

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Nwaneri → Trossard.

81 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Doku exploits Arsenal’s lack of a right-back to go on a mazy, stop-start run down the wing, beats Saliba down the skin and into the field. He tries to whip a shot into the underside left nook however doesn’t get the bend. Though he beats Raya the ball rolls throughout the face of aim.

79 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Gabriel chips a move together with his left to Trossard, who was offside, and Nunes heads it behind, complaining that it shouldn’t be a nook. It shouldn’t however is.

Final throw?

Martinelli → Timber

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That is extraordinary – now Haaland is off for Nico Gonzalez and Metropolis are taking part in with a again 5 and no out-and-out striker. It’s pure park-the-bus stuff from Guardiola.

77 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Metropolis go to 5-1-3-1 with Doku main the road. The ref books Donnarumma for time-wasting over a goal-kick, a lot to the house followers’ delight.

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Loud, ironic cheers as Gianluigi Donnarumma is booked for time-wasting. Arsenal followers clearly imagine he ought to have been punished a lot sooner, so typically has he dawdled over aim kicks. If their gamers go on to lose this, count on a lot gnashing of tooth over Metropolis’s ‘darkish arts’. Not that Donnarumma ought to care unduly, given how efficient he has been at organising a previously fragile defence.

75 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Calafiori blindsides Nunes on the again put up however heads over.

Nico González → Haaland.

Unusual substitution given how properly he’s been doing in his personal field.

73 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal nook after respectable work from Gyokeres. Rice takes from the left and Donnarumma punches it out to the opposite wing. Metropolis have flooded their field and maintain the next cross out with sheer quantity of numbers, Haaland defensively to the fore as he has been in any respect these Arsenal set-pieces.

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Simply to emphasize my final level, Metropolis have gone to a again 5. That is straight out of the Mourinho-Conte playbook from Guardiola.

71 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Eze’s supposed one-two with Timber is ruined by Timber’s heavy return. Then Bernardo is fouled when making an attempt to shift the ball upfield.

68 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Now Metropolis have formally switched to a few centre-backs with Ake within the center. Doku dribbles upfield at tempo, scampering at defenders till he’s fouled, this time by Rice. Guardiola was booked for protesting a couple of earlier deal with on Doku which turned him into Rumpelstiltskin.

66 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Metropolis are defending in a line of 5 and one in every of 4, making Arsenal attempt to go spherical the perimeters as they maintain probing.

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Metropolis sub: Ake → Foden, Guardiola is booked whereas the substitution is happening.

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Kolo Touré, a part of the Metropolis backroom employees lately, simply received as much as have a phrase with the fourth official after Arsenal have been awarded a free-kick. He performed for each golf equipment, however the Gunners followers have been fast to inform him, not so politely, to sit down again down.

64 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal free-kick on the suitable, 35 yards from aim, after O’Reilly was judged to have leant on Saka. Gyokeres falls beneath a problem when the cross is distributed to the again put up and Metropolis hook the ball out. Arsenal lay siege 25 yards out.

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It is a very completely different Metropolis efficiency from those we now have been used to beneath Pep Guardiola. He gained’t be proud of the begin to the second half, however his group appear to be content material to play on the counter-attack and quit possession.

62 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Nunes watches the flight of a cross from the Arsenal proper all the best way and positions himself judiciously to nod it away with Rice closing in.

Eze is making a distinction to Arsenal’s attacking play – Arsenal FC through Getty Photos/David Value

60 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Saka bends it deep to Trossard whose stabbed effort is blocked at shut vary after which Haaland additionally blocks the follow-up.

58 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Timber’s lengthy strides and Saka earn a nook on the suitable. Saka, now captain, pulls rank to take.

56 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Metropolis break from an Arsenal nook earned by Trossard. Donnarumma doesn’t join however the ball drifts out to the Metropolis left the place Doku brings it ahead with sinuous motion and tempo. He passes it to Haaland who storms into the field and thumps a low shot straight at Raya who blocks and Timber knocks it over, dangerously close to the aim, for a nook. Don’t suppose he meant that. Doku is penalised on the nook and Arsenal have the possibility to pour ahead.

54 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Saka cuts in on the left in that acquainted approach and thunders a left foot shot that hits Gvardiol as he crouched to dam. The ball balloons up in direction of the penalty spot and Zubimendi tries to transform with a bicycle kick however somebody has knicked his bike and he connects solely with recent air.

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Shocked that Madueke and Khusanov have each been hooked, given each have been excellent in patches for his or her groups within the first half. Clearly Mikel Arteta was eager for a tactical reshuffle, trusting in Saka’s arguably superior decision-making. However the mere proven fact that Arsenal and Metropolis have the posh of constructing these modifications reveals the horrifying depth of those two squads.

52 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Rasping Eze half-volley after Trossard’s cross was headed to him 18 yards out by Gvardiol, He stings Donnarumma’s palms however the Italy goalie stands tall.

50 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal work it to Saka who drives down the vertical line of the penalty space and stands up a cross together with his proper that Dias heads out to the 18-yard line. Zubimendi traps the ball then whistles a shot over the bar as Metropolis defenders closed him down at full pelt.

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It seems like Arteta has taken the handbrake off with these substitutions. Madueke had been a risk, however taking off Merino for Eze is undoubtedly an attacking transfer. The house group must be a bit extra cool and composed on this second half.

48 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Eze robs Gvardiol because the centre-back was cantering ahead into the Arsenal half. Gyokeres pounces on to possession and sends Trossard down the left however he doesn’t run at Nunes, turninbg again and recycling the ball throughout the sector.

46 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Doku hares away from Timber contained in the Metropolis half having overwhelmed him on the skin. He then tacks throughout him and Timber scythes him down on the value of a reserving.

Half-time modifications

Madueke has been Arsenal’s greatest participant however the gamble is that Saka is just higher. Which he’s. One Metropolis change, too:

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Nunes → Khusanov.

Saka and Eze are approaching

Two substitutions:

Eze → MerinoSaka → Madueke.

Half-time verdict

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Arsenal have been far too emotional right here. It has been frantic from the beginning – on and off the pitch – and they should settle down and play. It’s nearly as if the event had received to them, even when this early within the season. There’s a lengthy approach to go and the sport will be rotated but when they play like this and lose a number of questions shall be requested about how Mikel Arteta prepares his group and whether or not they have the mentality to be winners.

Half-time: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

The group falls very quiet because the gamers stroll off for half-time. Arsenal being a aim down has shaken them however Madueke has been shiny. They may do with some extra creativity in midfield and extra urgency of their passing. Metropolis have been superb at mixing their kinds and taking part in pragmatically if not all the time prettily. The sport retains evolving.

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All of it feels a bit panicky contained in the Emirates. It’s clearly an enormous sport, however the ambiance is like Arsenal solely have 5 minutes to attain or it’s a title-decider on the finish of the season. I believe that’s transmitted to the gamers as a result of the house aspect are being a bit of rash of their determination making. That was underlined by Trossard throwing the ball into Silva. Fully pointless.

45+3 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Bernardo’s move catches Trossard within the goolies and the ball goes out. So Bernardo lobs the ball at Trossard who’s stretching his calves. Trossard picks it up and throws it in Bernardo’s gonads and he goes down. An elevating minute ends with no motion taken although a whole lot of snarling on the referee.

45+1 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Donnarumma makes a really sensible near-post save from Madueke’s blistering proper foot shot. When you noticed the Muniz end previous Kelleher final night time for Fulham v Brentford that was dominated out for a foul within the build-up, it was a bit like that… besides Donnarumma was completely positioned and his hand seemingly manufactured from tungsten.

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4 minutes of added time are signalled.

44 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Madueke twice runs at O’Reilly, laying it off the primary time because the younger, makeshift left-back does properly earlier than turning him on the second try when Timber performs him again down the road. He bends a cross together with his left that Donnarumma punches off Rice’s eyebrows from six yards,

42 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal have had two-thirds of the possession however no cross has but discovered Gyokeres. Rice’s nook is punched by Donnarumma nevertheless it slides off his glove and he slices it again in direction of his aim. His defenders bail him out.

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Donnarumma’s finished properly on the corners thus far. He’s already punched a few inswingers from Declan Rice out of bother. This might be the kiss of demise, however he has given Metropolis some added metal at set-piece thus far.

40 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Exasperated cry of ‘play it ahead’ from and Arsenal fan and this time they oblige with Calafiori taking part in a one-two with Gyokeres after which standing up a deep cross from the left. Gvardiol does properly defensively and the ball drops awkwardly to Madueke, bouncing and spinning. He swings his leg at it however so does Doku who deflects it over for a nook

Mikel Ateta appears puzzled by his gamers’ motion – AFP/GLYN KIRK

38 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Doku dribbles down the suitable after Haaland’s lay-off from an extended ball caught within the mixer. The winger’s dazzling ft pitter-patter as he runs infield, throughout the 18-yard line, ignoring Haaland however then runs into bother which he tries to get out of by turning his again to aim and laying it again to Rodri who blazes over from 22 yards.

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Jeremy Doku’s adhesive expertise with the ball are fairly the sight. Irresistible in tight areas, he slaloms by way of Arsenal’s whole again 4 in a single transfer. You simply want he might bear in mind to whip in a cross often.

36 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

After 90 seconds of Arsenal possession, Bernardo hacks down Gabriel after the Arsenal captain had offloaded the ball again to his keeper. Metropolis gamers actually don’t just like the Brazil centre-half. “Arsenal have run out of concepts and don’t know what to do… until it’s a set-piece,” says Gary Neville witheringly.

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Metropolis’s final victory within the League in opposition to Arsenal or Liverpool was a 4-1 success over the Gunners in April 2023. It appears like a very long time since they’ve had an actual assertion win within the League, however this may undoubtedly be one.

34 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Merino doubles-back when given a possibility to cross and the gang betrays its impatience. Arsenal hog the ball, nonetheless however can’t break the traces.

32 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Calafiori dries the ball on a towel after which hurls it into the field. Haaland tracks Gabriel’s run and the centre-half goes down nevertheless it was extra a case of him stopping and letting Haaland run into him. The ball bypassed each in any case and Timber’s header, having to stretch to the ball that was behind him, screwed it weakly in direction of Donnarumma.

30 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

As Gary Neville factors out Metropolis are fairly completely happy to let Arsenal have the ball, deal with onerous, attempt to hit them on the break and go direct and lengthy reasonably than making an attempt to play their approach by way of midfield.

28 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Madueke’s nook is once more headed again in direction of him on the close to put up and Metropolis clear their traces. However the England winger comes again with the ball, drives to the byline, beating O’Reilly after which pulls a move again in direction of the D, searching for Zubimendi’s run however Rodri will get there first.

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It feels as if Abdukodir Khusanov is more and more rising into his obligations at Metropolis. The Uzbek’s grasp of English is perhaps extraordinarily restricted, however he’s fully-versed within the artwork of the deal with, monitoring again brilliantly to dispossess Viktor Gyokeres earlier than placing in an important problem on Leandro Trossard. His tempo at right-back is misleading.

26 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal nook on the left after run from the tenacious Calafiori. Rice sticks the ball within the quadrant. Donnarumma, standing off his line as befits a person of his dimension, punches it and Metropolis hustle it out for one more nook, this one on the suitable to be taken by Madueke.

Donnarumma celebrates Metropolis’s aim – PA/John Walton

24 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Timber hooks his foot from behind to deal with Reijnders and follows by way of on his compatriot, kneeing him within the calf. Truthful deal with however Reijnders doesn’t rise up and the Arsenal followers go Garrity when the ref belatedly stops play whereas Saliba ponders whether or not as well the ball out compassionately.

22 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Arsenal followers are purple scorching on Donnarumma taking his time, making an attempt to rely down from eight a wee bit faster than the clock. The Champions League-winning keeper is just not a person to be rushed.

20 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

One other likelihood for Metropolis when Merino misses a deal with when dawdling in midfield and welcoming a mugging. He’s having a tough begin to the sport. Reijnders’ daisycuttter from 25 yards is simply too near  the keeper to hassle Raya.

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Such an exquisitely-worked aim by Manchester Metropolis. It felt as if that they had choices aplenty as Tijjani Reijnders tore their defence in half: the Dutchman might have chosen to change it left, into the trail of a galloping Jeremy Doku, however determined as an alternative to string the ball by way of to Erling Haaland, whose low strike past David Raya was inch-perfect. No one might accuse the Norwegian of indolence thus far this season. He performed each creator and finisher right here, leaving Gabriel and Martin Zubimendi helpless in his wake.

18 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Metropolis defend the nook on the close to put up and Foden retains it in to forestall one other nook, skirting the whitewash after which whacks it upfield.

Haaland rolls the ball previous Raya – Motion Photos through Reuters/Matthew Childs

16 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Extra jeering for Donnarumma, this time for what the gang perceives as time-wasting whereas he deliberates over a punt. When eh does get rid, Arsenal come again with Timber pounding down the suitable and O’Reilly makes the deal with to place the ball behind for a nook.

14 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

Break in play whereas Khusanove is nursed again to an upright place after a heavy deal with.

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The way in which Erling Haaland began that transfer for the aim was paying homage to Harry Kane at his greatest. There was once a story that Haaland didn’t do something however rating (that by no means sounded too unhealthy to me), nevertheless it appears like there was a improvement in his all-round sport.

11 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1

That has acted like a intestine punch to Arsenal’s followers who fall silent earlier than rallying. Metropolis’s metamorphosis right into a counter-attacking aspect when taking part in large video games continues apace.

GOAL!

Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 1 (Haaland) Fabulous aim, made by Reijnders, fed 15 yards inside his personal half by Haaland. The Holland midfielder dribbles ahead at tempo, feinting and shimmying earlier than drawing out Arsenal’s centre-backs and slipping it completely into Haaland’s pat 18 yards out and the striker whips a right-foot shot into the underside left nook with Raya scrambling in direction of him.

8 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 0

Donnarumma is jeered when he shanks a clearance, the build-up to that designed to rattle him.

6 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 0

Raya, Saliba and Rice work a triangle taking part in it out from the again and once more O’Reilly nearly picks off the ‘out’ move to Timber however he can’t profit from the bounce of the ball after his interception. Arsenal take the ball again and style a possibility for Gyokeres to drive at Dias however he picks the incorrect possibility.

4 min: Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 0

One other crisp and dedicated deal with from Khusanov, this time on Trossard. The younger Metropolis defender is sporting a chin-strap beard, no connective ’tache. He seems like a younger prelate.

3 min : Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 0

Raya rushes a move out from the again beneath stress from Doku and provides sit straight to O’Reilly however his contact is simply too heavy and Arsenal pounce with Zubimendi and Gyokeres storming by way of midfield and tacking left. It takes a monster of a sliding deal with from Khusanov to halt the assault.

1 min : Arsenal 0 Man Metropolis 0

Metropolis kick off, attacking from proper to left, working it again to Donnarumma who places his laces by way of a launch up the suitable the place Foden is taking part in with Bernardo within the centre.

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Manchester Metropolis’s gamers determined to go proper down into the nook subsequent to their followers for a pre-match huddle. It’s a loud ambiance contained in the Emirates Stadium.

After a blast of The Angel

The gamers break their huddles and take their locations.

The groups come out

Either side of their residence kits: Arsenal in purple and white, Metropolis in mild blue and white.

Satement end result

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There shall be a whole lot of chat about negativity if Arsenal don’t win as we speak, with Arteta beginning with Eze on the bench. It appears like an essential day for each golf equipment with the house group needing to make a press release in opposition to one in every of their rivals and Metropolis needing to point out they will put actual stress on Liverpool.

Carragher and Keane: Arsenal have sufficient high quality to win the league

Jamie Carragher says Arsenal have the perfect squad within the nation whereas Roy Keane says Arsenal gamers should imagine that they’re adequate to win the league. He continues that he thinks within the final couple of years they might have had doubts however whenever you see the standard of their bench it should make them imagine they will do it.

Mikel Arteta speaks to Sky SportsPep Guardiola speaks to Sky SportsHow Phil Foden received his mojo again at Manchester Metropolis

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Erling Haaland flung one in every of his large arms round Phil Foden earlier than ’s towering No 9 started eagerly pointing a finger down in direction of his beaming team-mate’s head as if to say “my man’s again”.

There had been an analogous embrace a couple of years earlier when the pair each scored hat-tricks in a 6-3 win over Manchester United. However Sunday’s 3-0 derby victory over United on the Etihad Stadium felt completely different just because Haaland – and your complete Metropolis household – had been ready some time for this model of Foden to once more reveal himself.

“It was like Batman had his Robin again”, one Metropolis supply later quipped, given Haaland’s real elation at seeing Foden rediscovering his mojo.

Your groups in black and white

Arsenal  Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard. Substitutes  Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, White, Mosquera, Nwaneri, Norgaard, Martinelli, Eze, Saka.

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Man Metropolis  Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland. Substitutes  Trafford, Stones, Ake, Lewis, Mukasa, Nico González, Bobb, Matheus Luiz, Savio.

Referee  Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton).

Metropolis group information – unchanged from ThursdayArsenal group information: Saliba returns to beginning XI, Saka on benchBetting on as we speak’s match?

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Preview: Will 48 hours make a distinction?

Good afternoon and welcome to reside protection of Arsenal vs Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League. The match on the Emirates begins with Arsenal on 9 factors, six factors behind the leaders and champions Liverpool, and Manchester Metropolis on six after their stuttering begin to the season. To say it’s a should win for each this early within the season sounds foolish however for Metropolis I believe it’s whereas Arsenal can’t realistically afford to lose a second sport of their opening 5, notably as a result of Liverpool haven’t been as fluent as they are going to be and Alexander Isak is but to start out within the Premier League.

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Arsenal, having misplaced and drawn one in every of their first 15 matches in opposition to a Guardiola-led Metropolis, have turned that bitter tide over the previous two seasons with back-to-back residence wins and away attracts, culminating in February’s 5-1  victory when Martin Odegaard opened the scoring within the second minute and Ethan Nwaneri completed it within the 93rd. Now there was a case of Arsenal taking part in with the handbrake off and whereas this season Mikel Arteta has characteristically prioritised defensive solidity and his desire for tall, versatile defenders in full-back positions reasonably than orthodox right- and left-backs, Jurrien Timber has rewarded him with two objectives and Riccardo Calafiori with one and the membership’s participant of the month award for August.

Either side impressed midweek within the Champions League, Arsenal with a substitute-driven 2-0 victory over Athletic in Bilbao and Metropolis with their 2-0 victory over Serie A champions Napoli on the Etihad with Rodri and Phil Foden again match and firing. However, crucially, Arsenal performed on Tuesday night time and Metropolis 48 hours later, which must put the hosts .

Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are long-term absentees for the house aspect who reported on Friday that each Odegaard and Ben White had resumed first-team coaching however have been rated contact and go for involvement as we speak Metropolis shall be with out Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Ait-Nouri and John Stones.