EPL: Arsenal Delivers First Big Blow To Manchester City

By: Gyang Dakwo

Arsenal took a big step in the race for the Premier League title by defeating Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Starting the match without talisman Bukayo Saka, the Gunners looked rocky in the opening minutes as Declan Rice was forced to clear an effort off the line from Josk Gvardiol.

Yet, as Arsenal grew into the match Man City withered. Pep Guardiola’s men never got into gear and were fortunate to keep all 11 players on the pitch after a couple of shocking tackles from Mateo Kovacic.

Gabriel Martinelli came on at half-time and re-energised Mikel Arteta’s men. He was a ball of fire, speed and fury running down the wing and whipping in crosses with ease.

However, the game seemed to be heading to a shutout only for Martinelli it arrive on the end of a Kai Havertz pull back and smoke the ball past Ederson to secure the points with a late winning goal.

Meanwhile, Brighton and Liverpool played out an entertaining draw at the Amex Stadium in a four goal thriller that ebbed and flowed. Brighton took the lead in the first half thanks to some smart play from Simon Adingra who nicked the ball off Alexis Mac Allister and slotted home a fine finish.

Liverpool responded right at the end of the first half. First Mo Salah was slipped into the far side of the box and calmly sent it into the back of the net. The Reds were then awarded a penalty after a foul on Dominik Szobozslai and Salah stepped up to bag his second of the afternoon.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men kicked on in the second half and were rewarded thanks to some slack defending from Andy Robertson. Solly March’s free kick found Lewis Dunk in the box and he volleyed in the equaliser.

In another fixture, Mohammed Kudus’ fine late strike helped West Ham United to a point in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at London’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Alexander Isak scored twice to give Newcastle a comeback lead following Tomas Soucek’s West Ham opener.

Both teams had won in European competition earlier this week, but the Magpies and Irons will feel differently about Sunday’s draw.

Newcastle had 66% of the ball and out-attempted West Ham 10-5, but Isak nearly had a hat trick and the Magpies will feel they had so many more chances to earn all of the points.

West Ham stays one point above the eighth place Magpies. The Irons’ 14 points will head into the international break just three back of the top four.

Likewise, Wolves and Aston Villa shared the spoils after an intense West Midlands derby came to life in the second half.

Hwang Hee-chan continued his incredible start to the season as he finished to make it 1-0 but moments later Pau Torres equalized for Villa.

Both teams had chances to win it, with Ollie Watkins hitting the post in the 102nd minute, but a draw was a fair result as a combative encounter ended even. Mario Lemina was shown a second yellow card in the 94th minute but Wolves somehow held on during the 12 minutes of second half stoppage time to grab a point.

Wolves now have eight points for the season and are three games unbeaten, while Villa have 16 points and are four games without defeat as they sit just outside the top four.