City clinch victory over 10-man Arsenal with Rodri’s late goal

Sports Desk, Jan 1 (EFE).- An injury-time goal from Rodri saw Manchester City clinch a 2-1 victory against a 10-man Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday to cap off a gritty match laden with controversy and cards.

It was a physical game to kick-off 2022 in London, and one that Mikel Arteta had to watch from isolation after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Bukayo Saka fired the hosts ahead at the half-hour mark, slotting a low cross from Kieran Tierney beyond Ederson.

Arsenal controlled much of the first half with solid defending, which helped smother the attacking threats posed by Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Martinelli came close to making it 2-0 in the second half with a shot that hit the woodwork.

The tide then shifted when Bernardo Silva went down in the box following a tussle with Granit Xhaka. The referee initially told the Portuguese midfielder to get back to his feet before a VAR review showed Xhaka had tugged his shirt.

The resulting penalty caused uproar among the home side — and the home crowd — who claimed Silva had dived in the box.

Mahrez struck from the spot to make it 1-1.

Arsenal went down to 10 men after Gabriel got a second yellow as the match approached the hour mark.

Aside from Gabriel, six other players received yellow cards on Saturday.

Rodri dealt the final blow in injury time with a goal from inside the box.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League while Arsenal sit in 4th. EFE

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