Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described it as “a miracle” that his team came so close to victory after playing the entire second half of their 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester City with only 10 men at the Etihad Stadium.
John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser denied Arsenal what would have been a monumental win against the reigning champions, after winger Leandro Trossard was controversially sent off in first-half stoppage time. Arsenal held just 12.5% possession in the second half as City relentlessly attacked, with 28 shots—the second-highest in a single half since their dramatic 2012 title-winning game against QPR.
“There was only one team that came to play football,” City forward Bernardo Silva told TNT Sports Brazil. “The other came to play to the limits of what was possible to do and allowed by the referee, unfortunately. I’m glad we always enter the pitch to try to win every match.”
Despite City’s dominance, Arsenal were on the verge of becoming the first away team to win at the Etihad since Brentford in November 2022, a result that would have propelled them to the top of the Premier League. However, Stones’ late goal restored City to the summit.
“It is a miracle we played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men,” Arteta said after the match. “It’s unbelievable what we have done.” Asked if his side would have won had Trossard not been sent off, Arteta responded: “I have no clue. We would have tried for sure. But what I can tell you is 99 out of 100 times if you play 56 minutes against this team with 10 men, you’re going to lose and you’re going to lose by a lot of goals.”
Arteta expressed frustration at conceding so late, given fourth official Andy Madley had indicated seven minutes of stoppage time, but Stones’ equaliser came in the 98th minute.
When questioned about Trossard’s red card, Arteta remained coy, stating, “It’s that obvious, so I’ll leave it to you guys.” Trossard, already on a yellow card, was sent off for kicking the ball away after barging into Bernardo Silva. Arsenal fans quickly pointed to a similar incident involving City winger Jeremy Doku, who escaped without sanction. However, the Premier League clarified that Trossard was booked for the latter offence.
City players also accused Arsenal of “time-wasting” tactics, which were said to prolong the game. City defender John Stones was critical of Arsenal’s approach, saying, “They slow the game down. They get the keeper on the floor so they can get some information on to the pitch. We had to control our emotions during those tough times.”
Silva echoed this sentiment, calling the game-breaking tactics “dirty” and adding, “It all started in the very first second. In the first action, we realised what was going to happen. We had a player injured after they sent him to the ground twice in 10 minutes. We had a goal conceded after the referee called our captain and then didn’t allow him to recover his position.”
Despite the heated exchanges and frustrations, the game was a thrilling spectacle. City captain Kyle Walker remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live, “As a football match, it is a great spectacle for the Premier League. Probably not so much certain stuff – I think it’s part and parcel of the game, and we’ll say the dark arts.”
The controversy surrounding the officiating and tactics clouded what could have been an iconic moment, with Arteta expressing disappointment that the match’s narrative was dominated by refereeing decisions rather than football.
“I want to be involved in a game at this level that puts the game in a situation that we can enjoy and talk about it in the proper way,” Arteta said. “We’re not talking about that. It’s clear. You haven’t asked me one single tactical question.”