Manchester City made it 11 Premier League wins in a row as Rodri scored a 93rd-minute winner to see off 10-man Arsenal 2-1 in a chaotic start to 2022 at the Emirates Stadium.
The English Premier League leaders had to come from behind to beat Arsenal and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the first half before Riyad Mahrez converted a second-half penalty. Gabriel was sent off moments later for a second yellow card.
Rodri secured a late winner deep into added time to secure the win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
“You always have two or three games like this in a season. They showed why they are in their position. The way they have grown with Mikel [Arteta] is huge.
“We know they have more rest than us. They have six days to prepare, we have three games in one week and travel.
“It is tough sometimes when you don’t have the physicality. We have to maybe play a bit easier.
“We struggled in the first half but took control in the second a bit more and do more our game. They played a great game but we showed our champion’s personality, ” he said after the match.
Arsenal started the game the brighter of the two sides and deserved the lead when it came on 31 minutes.
Ben White dispossessed Kevin De Bruyne and found Kieran Tierney in space. He passed the ball to Saka who hit it first time past Ederson and into the net.
City started the second half stronger and had a penalty claim given by VAR on 53 minutes when Granit Xhaka brought Bernardo Silva down in the box and Mahrez converted the spot-kick expertly.
Things became worse for Arsenal six minutes later when Gabriel was sent off for fouling Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal was held on despite their numerical disadvantage but was caught by City three minutes into added time.
Aymeric Laporte took a shot that was saved by Aaron Ramsdale but only rebounded as far as Rodri who tapped it into the net. – Reuters/NAN.
