The year 2022 starts strong in England with a shock of the most pleasant, Saturday January 1, between Arsenal and Manchester City. At Emirates Stadium, the Gunners fought a big fight on Matchday 21. But the men of Pep Guardiola, jostled as rarely in the league, snatched the victory in the last moments (2-1). They secure their first place even more.
One great series continues, the other is interrupted: it was the obligatory scenario of the big poster of this January 1, 2022 in the championship of England. It remained to be seen who would keep smiling between the leader, Manchester City, with 10 consecutive successes (series started on November 6), and Arsenal, brilliant winner of their last four matches (14 goals scored, only one conceded). At the end of an intense match, it was the Mancuniens who had the last word.
Deprived of their usual coach, Mikel Arteta (positive for Covid-19), and their attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, dismissed for almost a month for disciplinary reasons and allowed to join the Gabonese selection to prepare for the CAN 2022, the Gunners delivered a first-rate performance for almost an hour. At the Emirates Stadium, the visiting England champions suffered against an enterprising and leggy Arsenal.
The Londoners saw their efforts rewarded when Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a clear and unchecked recovery (31st). Dutchman Albert Stuivenberg, replacing Arteta on the Arsenal bench, relished.
Who will be able to disrupt the Mancunian machine?
After this failed first act, Manchester City did not panic and could count on an error from the opposing defense to revive. Bernardo Silva, in the box, caused the fault of Granit Xhaka. Match referee Stuart Attwell reviewed the footage and awarded the visitors a penalty. And Riyad Mahrez, specialist in the matter, did not tremble (57th). The Algerian confirms his status as the Cityzens’ top scorer this season with a 13th goal in all competitions.
Taken back to the score, Arsenal almost cracked on the field. Gabriel was first warned for protest (57th), then was sent off for a foul which earned him a second yellow card (59th). At 10 against 11, the Gunners turned their backs against a uplifted Manchester City. On a few blocks, they could even have regained the advantage. But the coin did not fall on the right side. On the contrary, they were treated to an icy shower when Rodri, not without a bit of luck, found himself in an ideal position to crucify goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (90 + 3rd).
The scenario is very cruel for Arsenal, who remains in 4th place (35 points, one game late to play) and misses an opportunity to get closer to Liverpool (3rd, 41 points) and Chelsea (2nd, 42 points). For Manchester City, 2022 starts very well with an 11th consecutive victory. Although a little narrow, it allows the reigning champion to at least temporarily increase his lead with 53 points on the clock. We will have to be very strong to stop the march of the Cityzens towards an 8th national coronation.