Fans at the Etihad Stadium were fast to cheer as Savinho deftly thread the ball through for Haaland to coolly fire a left-footed effort into the near corner, opening the score at 1-0 for Man City.

Arsenal’s defence was supposed to be opened by this goal, therefore producing a stunning triumph; nevertheless, in the 22nd minute the opposing team surprisingly equalised 1-1. Martinelli avoided goalkeeper Ederson (Man City) from a very rapid free kick by escaping down the left wing and passing back to Riccardo Calafiori, who blasted a magnificent strike from outside the area.

Though the referee still acknowledged the goal, Man City players and coach Guardiola reacted violently since they believed the earlier free kick was unlawful. Man City kept pressing the pitch in the next minutes, but it couldn’t break Arsenal’s defence.

The delight of Arsenal players following Riccardo Calafiori’s against Man City: Photo: Reuters

Besides that, they shockingly gave up even another goal in the 45th minute. Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes leaped high and headed the ball from close range to score from a corner kick on the right wing, so increasing the Gunners’ lead to 2-1.

Striker Leandro Trossard got a second yellow card in the 45+7 minute after booting the ball away despite the referee blowing the whistle and fouling a Man City player. Arsenal was under great pressure from Man City in the last minutes, with just 10 men on the pitch.

Haaland celebrates his opening goal against Arsenal; picture: Reuters

Still, David Raya, the custodian, performed brilliantly with successive amazing saves. Man City equalised 2-2 in the penultimate minute of injury time as everyone expected Arsenal to prevail.

Jack Grealish threw the ball inside for Mateo Kovačić to complete from a fast corner kick. Goalie David Raya pushed Mateo Kovačič’s shot aside, but John Stones fired the rebound into the net. Also the match’s final score was thus.