Image Credit: The Indian Express
By Lee Clow 17 June 2020 | Premier League
The second game back from the Premier League’s postponement saw Manchester City batter Arsenal in an intense fixture at the Etihad Stadium.
As with the Aston Villa and Sheffield United players in the opening game of the restart, both Manchester City and Arsenal players took a knee before kick-off as they paid their respects to the late George Floyd as well as the “Black Lives Matter” protests.
Within the opening 10 minutes of the game, Arsenal lost Granit Xhaka to injury forcing Mikel Arteta to make an early substitute and bring on Dani Ceballos.
Throughout most of the first half City, as many predicted, dominated the field of play but lacked any final product in front of goal. Kevin De Bruyne came closest to goal with a firing free kick, but Bernd Leno easily tapped it over the bar.
On 23 minutes, Arsenal were forced to make another change as Pablo Mari went down with an ankle injury. David Luiz, who was omitted from the starting 11, was brought on as Mari’s replacement.
Late in the first half, Manchester City began creating clear cut chances as they searched for the opener. Raheem Sterling, who was without a goal in 2020, cut inside from the left flank and shot towards goal, but Leno got down well to parry the England man’s effort.
Moments later, City came close again after some great intricate play. Gabriel Jesus expertly fed in David Silva before turning sharply and shooting towards goal, but Leno once again got down fast and pushed the Spaniards effort out.
Riyad Mahrez was next to have a chance as De Bruyne typically played in a great ball to the winger. Racing towards goal, Mahrez opened up his body to place the ball into the corner, but Leno was out quickly again to block his shot.
With De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield, it wasn’t long until Sterling was through on goal again. With Leno rushing out, Sterling dinked his effort over the Arsenal keeper, however it was too much as it flew over the crossbar.
With seconds to go before halftime, City finally broke the deadlock as Sterling broke his duck. De Bruyne delivered a hopeful cross towards the box, which substitute Luiz completely misjudged, allowing Sterling time and space to fire the ball past Leno into the back of the net and give Manchester City a deserved lead going into the break.
In the second half, Manchester City continued how they finished the first half and it did not take them long until they found a second goal. Luiz, at fault with the first goal, was at fault again as he brought down Mahrez in the box, forcing the referee to send the Brazilian centre back off and award the home side a penalty. De Bruyne took responsibility from the spot and comfortably placed the ball home, giving his side a two-goal lead.
Halfway through the second half, an array of substitutes were brought on with both sides taking liberties of the new rule allowing five rather than the typical three changes.
10 minutes before time, City defender Eric Garcia suffered a hard-looking injury after colliding with his own goalkeeper, Ederson. A stretcher was out straight away for Garcia and after many minutes, the Spaniard was lifted off the field. Garcia’s exit meant the final few minutes of the game would be played 10 against 10.
With seconds to goal, Manchester City found their third as they secured Arsenal’s downfall. Substitute Sergio Aguero saw his shot deflected onto the post before Phil Foden picked the rebound and fired the ball into the net.
The victory for City adds their total of points up to 60 points as they remain 22 points off Liverpool at the top of the tree. For Arsenal, hopes of Champions League football gets slimmer and slimmer as remain in 9th in the league, eight points of fourth placed Chelsea and 5 points of fifth placed Manchester United.
What’s next?
Having finally played their games in hand, both teams return to action in the coming days with Manchester City facing Burnley and Arsenal taking on Brighton.
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