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The new year commenced auspiciously in England, with a thrilling encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City on Saturday, January 1st. At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal presented a formidable challenge during Matchday 21. However, Pep Guardiola’s team, rarely so hard-pressed in the league, secured a last-gasp victory (2-1), solidifying their top position.
One remarkable streak continued, while another was halted: this was the expected outcome of the highly anticipated clash on January 1st, 2022, in the English Premier League. The question was which team would emerge victorious: Manchester City, boasting ten consecutive wins (a run beginning November 6th), or Arsenal, riding high after four straight wins (14 goals scored, only one conceded). Following a gripping contest, Manchester City claimed the final result.
Without their manager, Mikel Arteta (who tested positive for Covid-19), and their forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (suspended for disciplinary reasons and permitted to join the Gabonese national team for CAN 2022 preparations), Arsenal exhibited superb play for nearly an hour. At the Emirates, the reigning champions faced a spirited and energetic Arsenal squad.
The Gunners’ efforts were rewarded when Bukayo Saka expertly opened the scoring (31st minute). Albert Stuivenberg, Arteta’s replacement on the Arsenal bench, was delighted.
Who can halt City’s dominance?
After this setback, Manchester City remained composed and capitalized on a defensive error. Bernardo Silva drew a foul from Granit Xhaka inside the penalty area. Referee Stuart Attwell, after reviewing the footage, awarded a penalty. Riyad Mahrez, a penalty specialist, converted confidently (57th minute). The Algerian’s goal marked his 13th across all competitions this season, further cementing his status as City’s leading scorer.
Leveling the score, Arsenal faced further adversity. Gabriel received a warning for dissent (57th minute), then a red card for a foul (59th minute), resulting in a second yellow. Reduced to ten men, Arsenal struggled against a revitalized Manchester City. They even had chances to retake the lead. However, fortune wasn’t on their side. Instead, they conceded a late goal when Rodri, with a touch of luck, found himself perfectly positioned to beat goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (90 + 3rd minute).
This outcome was particularly harsh for Arsenal, who remained in 4th position (35 points, with a game in hand) and missed a chance to close the gap on Liverpool (3rd, 41 points) and Chelsea (2nd, 42 points). For Manchester City, 2022 began perfectly with an 11th consecutive win. Despite the narrow margin, this victory extended their lead to 53 points. Stopping City’s
