Manchester City collects big points in the catch-up game in the Premier League: Pep Guardiola's team triumphs in an entertaining game at Arsenal and takes first place in the table for the time being. A serious mistake leads to bankruptcy of the Gunners.
Arsenal FC suffered a severe setback in the race for the English Premier League football championship: defending champions Manchester City are back at the top of the table thanks to star striker Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola's team won the heated top game at the Gunners 3-1 (1-1) and thus overtook the Gunners, who were tied on points. Former Bundesliga star Kevin De Bruyne (24th), Jack Grealish (72nd) and just Haaland (82nd) scored for City, Bukayo Saka (42nd, penalty kick) had equalized in the meantime.
De Bruyne's 1-0 lead was preceded by a disastrous back pass from Takehiro Tomiyasu to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, which the Belgian intercepted and smashed into the net. Before Saka scored, the focus was on City goalkeeper Ederson, who ran over Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah in the box. Manchester are top of the table for the first time since the beginning of November thanks to their better goal difference, although Arsenal have played a game less.
"We haven't had the best season so far, but we're still at the top of the league. That shows our incredible potential and the character we have," said Haaland: "That's what champions have to do."
A month ago, Arsenal were still eight points ahead of City, but recently the traditional club was weakening a bit - national player Ilkay Gündogan, who gave the template to the important 2-1, naturally wanted to take advantage of that, as did Haaland and Co. Arsenal put up a good fight in an intense game, but the visitors increased the pressure as the game progressed and earned an enormously important victory in the title fight.
City have been champions four times in the last five years, Arsenal have been waiting for the title since 2004 and conceded the eleventh league defeat against City in a row.
