The English premier league is gradually becoming a keenly contested league between a teacher and his apprentice who both have built the best of two teams in the league. Mikel Arteta who used to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach almost gave his former boss a heart attack after holding Manchester City until the brink of final whistle.
The clash which started calmly in favour of Pep Guardiola after Erling Haaland broke the deadlock after just nine (9) minutes following a Savinho assist showed all was good until Mikel Arteta remembered who he used to share tactics with his former boss and all broke loose. Haaland who had recorded his one hundredth goal was looking poised for more but Arteta had different plans.
Riccardo Calafiori in a spectacular scored his first goal for Arsenal which was also the equalizer they much needed. The equalizer brought good fortunes to the gunners as they started to take the game to Manchester City. Pep was confused as he probable thought Arsenal was going to sit back and allow them possess play.
Their persistence paid off in the added time of first half as Gabriel Magalhaes put the gunners into the lead. The celebrations and thought of pinning Man City at the Etihad Stadium got into the heads of some of Arteta’s players as Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card which gave Man City a man advantage.
The story on any other day would have been different against a Pep Guardiola side but Arteta wasn’t taking any of that. With a man down, Arsenal played to frustrate Man City throughout the normal playing time of the second half.
It was notable to see no Arsenal player trying to engage in any form of attack as they defended with everything. Raya in the posts for Arsenal was a hero as he ensured nothing passed him by until late into the second. John Stones came on for Kyle Walker in the 78th minute while Grealish replaced Savinho.
Arsenal were doing everything right and holding on to the lead through till the 90th minute and hoped it would end same but substitute John Stones had other ideas.
In the 97th minute of play, Arsenal conceded a corner kick and that changed their fortune in the game after the defenders lost concentration in a jubilatory pose waiting to clear the ball and win maximum points, John Stones out of nowhere clutched on the lose ball from the corner kick and Arsenal were almost star struck. With despair on the faces of the players and the technical bench.
John Stones became the hero, securing spot on the league log for Man City and also saving Pep from the heart attack that was looming from the touchline.
Shuaeeb Is a seasoned sportswriter, social worker, and philanthropist. He has been renowned for his support of disabled sports persons and championing for equal rights and opportunities for all sports persons. He is also a father of 4 children and married to His partner Moana who is of Australian descent. He currently does sports volunteering and disability support work aside from writing for this August media.
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