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Manchester City rescued a draw in dramatic circumstances against Arsenal as John Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser meant Sunday’s early-season title showdown ended in a 2-2 draw.
City started brightly and went ahead inside the first 10 minutes as Erling Haaland latched onto a Savinho through-ball and prodded home a first-time finish for his 100th goal for the English champions in just 105 appearances.
An injury to Rodri, however, turned the game on its head, as Arsenal equalised shortly after the Ballon d’Or contender was forced to hobble off with a knee injury as Riccardo Calafiori fired in a curling effort from 20 yards.
The visitors from north London then took the lead early in first-half stoppage-time as Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to head home a corner from close-range, only for the Gunners’ joy to turn to anguish as Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card moments later.
As such, the second 45 minutes was played almost entirely on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, and while David Raya saved from Kyle Walker, Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, City eventually found a way through in the 98th minute as Stones prodded home after a Jack Grealish cross bounced around the penalty area.
GOAL rates City’s players from the Etihad Stadium…
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Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (4/10):
Had no chance with Calafiori’s effort but needed to be stronger up against Martinelli as he was caught under the ball for Gabriel’s header. A spectator thereafter.
Kyle Walker (3/10):
Looked a shadow of his old self as he was beaten for pace by Martinelli on more than one occasion, including for the first Arsenal goal. Failed to track Gabriel for his header, too. Stung Raya’s palms from range on a couple of occasions.
Manuel Akanji (6/10):
Assured in possession and dealt with crosses from open play into the penalty area.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
Heavily involved, both as the last line of defence and then in the build-up during the second half. Didn’t do much wrong, but not his best game either.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
Kept Saka pretty quiet in open play during the first half. Forced Raya into a save midway through the second period.
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Getty Images SportMidfield
Rodri (6/10):
In the wars from the opening seconds as he was clattered by Havertz before he was forced off after 20 minutes with what looked to be a serious knee injury.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
In constant motion and showed some nice touches in and around the penalty area. Couldn’t quite unlock the Arsenal defence, however.
Ilkay Gundogan (5/10):
Should have opened the scoring early on and then rattled the post from a free-kick at 1-0. Faded from the game, however, as it became more compacted around the Arsenal penalty area.
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AFPAttack
Savinho (8/10):
City’s best player throughout. Superb touch inside and through-ball laid on Haaland’s opener, and he game Calafiori trouble throughout while drawing two bookings with his pacey dribbling.
Erling Haaland (6/10):
Superb finish brought up his century of goals for City, but he struggled to get involved in the game thereafter. Had a couple of headed efforts kept out by Raya in the second half.
Jeremy Doku (4/10):
Largely locked down by Timber as he couldn’t have anywhere near the same impact as Savinho on the opposite flank. Replaced by Foden midway through the second half.
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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Barely misplaced a pass but lacked the incisiveness that Rodri may have brought after he replaced the injured Spain star.
Phil Foden (6/10):
On for the final 25 minutes but couldn’t unlock the Arsenal defence.
John Stones (7/10):
On for the final 10 minutes or so and was in the right place at the right time to poke home the equaliser.
Jack Grealish (6/10):
Thrown on alongside Stones and his ball into the box led to the equalising goal.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
Decision to stretch the game and press high paid early dividends, but his team lacked ideas after the break as they looked to break Arsenal down. Slightly fortunate to escape with a point.
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