It was an intense clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, and the match ended 0-0 when substitute Gabriel Martinelli secured victory for the home team. After the match, while Martin Ødegaard and the rest of Arsenal celebrated, the TV images showed that Erling Braut Haaland and several other City players gathered in front of the hosts’ bench, before being shown in the dressing room. In the first half, it was mostly about what most thought should have been a sending off for the visitors’ Mateo Kovacic. 29 minutes had been played when Kovacic threw himself in from behind with straight knobs straight into Ødegaard’s right ankle. Referee Michael Oliver – and VAR – was content to show the yellow. – I think he is lucky, very lucky! He hits Rice’s foot. What is he doing? He should have been sent off,” said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville. – Kovacic should have had a red card for the tackle on Ødegård. Is clear according to rule 12. Clearly exposes the opponent to danger. Crazy that this is not taken, wrote former top judge Svein-Erik Edvartsen on X/Twitter. – I think the referee thinks that they should play 11 against 11 in such a match for as long as possible, said Viasat’s Jan Åge Fjørtoft, who also thought the card should have been red. PIG TACKLE: Martin Ødegaard in pain after the tackle by Mateo Kovačić. STATED: Ødegaard went to referee Michael Oliver after the situation. STATED: Minutes later Declan Rice was tackled by the same man. Erling Braut Haaland was not happy with the Arsenal player. ASK FOR MERCY: Kyle Walker away at referee Oliver. NO PUNISHMENT: That was the VAR room’s message in both situations. MORE SITUATIONS: Gabriel Jesus was also reviewed, this time by the City player Josko Guardiol. New tackle But Kovacic was not finished with the tackles. Just six minutes later, it was Declan Rice who got a taste of the midfielder’s knobs, but the referee let it go. To huge protests from both manager Mikel Arteta and the home fans. – I think that is a mistake. Kovacic should take it there and I’m amazed that he won’t be, Gary Neville thought. – A clear red card, commented Viasat expert Pål André Helland. The experts were clear in their half-time talk: Guardiola should take Kovacic out. But the 29-year-old came back out on the mat and stayed there until he was replaced after 68 minutes. Erling Braut Haaland did not score in either the previous league or Champions League match, and was not involved much in London either. Late scoring The match continued to waver, but when the light blues put in a lot of pressure, there was also room for the hosts. In the 87th minute, they took advantage of the opportunity when Martinelli put the ball through Nathan Aké and past a clever goalkeeper Ederson into the goal. OVER CITY: Goal scorer Gabriel Martinelli celebrates after the decisive goal. SHUTDOWN: The air went out of Erling Braut Haaland and Manchester City after the late goal. ELLEVILT: It boiled over for the spectators at the Emirates Stadium. OFF HENGSLENE: Both fans, commentators and the goalscorer were enough hoarseness after the goal. BAD STATISTICS: Now Manchester City and goalkeeper Ederson have not kept a clean sheet in five games. The last time they did not concede a goal was on 23 September. Emirates exploded. Captain Ødegaard fired up the fans and the team held on for what was Arsenal’s first win over Manchester City in 12 games. Pep Guardiola and his men go with it on their second successive defeat in the Premier League, and are now third – two points behind Tottenham and Arsenal.
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Arsenal beat Manchester City – raged after a pig tackle on Ødegaard – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
