Faith Nyasuguta
The debate will continue over which team benefited more from the 2-2 draw- league leaders Manchester City, who remain at the top, or Arsenal, trailing by two points but still firmly in the early title race.
Despite the result, Arsenal have plenty to be proud of. While City left them gasping at full-time, Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a performance that few teams could replicate. Arsenal absorbed City’s relentless pressure and remained unbeaten, showcasing their resilience in what was a major test of their title credentials.
Unlike boxer Anthony Joshua, who was knocked out the night before, Arsenal took hit after hit and refused to fall. Erling Haaland’s ninth-minute opener saw the Gunners trailing on the road for the first time in 2024, but they found the mental toughness to stay in the game and even turn the momentum in their favor.
Many expected Arsenal to crumble in the second half, especially after Leandro Trossard’s sending off. Facing a team as formidable as Manchester City, with the best striker and one of the most lethal forward lines in world football, Arsenal’s chances seemed slim. However, Arteta praised his side’s resilience, calling it a “miracle” that they kept the score level until the 98th minute.
Arsenal have now collected seven points from a possible nine in tough away fixtures against Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester City. Despite playing over 100 minutes this season with only 10 men, they remain unbeaten. Their grit and determination suggest that they will stay in the title race until the very end, regardless of who gained more from this particular draw.
Haaland’s Century of Goals
While much of the focus after the match was on Arsenal’s fightback, Erling Haaland’s milestone moment shouldn’t be overlooked. His ninth-minute strike against the Gunners marked his 100th goal for Manchester City, an extraordinary achievement given that it came in just his 105th game for the club.
Haaland’s goal-scoring record continues to astound the football world. With 10 goals in just five Premier League games this season, he became the first player in league history to reach double figures in so few matches from the start of a campaign. If he continues scoring at this rate-an average of two goals per game- he could end the season with a staggering 76 goals in the league alone.
Haaland’s goal against Arsenal, a simple poked finish, may have been overshadowed by the drama that unfolded later, but it will go down in the history books. Of his 100 goals for City, 60 have come in just 52 games at the Etihad, further cementing his reputation as one of the most clinical strikers in the world.
Nottingham Forest’s Grit and Danny Welbeck’s Rare Free-Kick
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest earned a hard-fought point against Brighton in a gritty encounter. They led, fell behind, and then managed to equalize, despite being down to 10 players. Forest’s resilience was on full display as they navigated a chaotic game to remain unbeaten after five matches.
The match also saw a rare moment of magic from Danny Welbeck, who scored the Premier League’s first free-kick goal of the season. In recent years, free-kick goals have become less common, with only 11 scored across the entire league last season. Welbeck’s strike may not have been a classic-Brighton goalkeeper Matz Sels was partly to blame- but it was still a notable moment.
Forest’s journey in the game was anything but smooth. After conceding two quick goals late in the first half, manager Nuno Espirito Santo made three changes at the break. His fourth substitution, just after the hour mark, proved decisive. Jota Silva broke through Brighton’s high defensive line and set up substitute Ramon Sosa for a simple tap-in.
Despite being reduced to 10 men when Morgan Gibbs-White made a reckless sliding tackle on Joao Pedro, Forest managed to hang on for a valuable point. They’ve now dropped six points from winning positions this season– second only to Everton, who have lost eight, but their ability to dig in and secure a result shows their determination to compete at the highest level.
In a weekend of drama, resilience, and milestones, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest all showed that they are teams to watch this season, each for different reasons. Whether it’s Haaland’s relentless scoring, Arsenal’s grit in the title race, or Forest’s fight for survival, the Premier League never fails to deliver excitement.
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