“I gave the Man of the Match award back to him because he deserved it more than I did. He came on as a substitute and made an impact that others couldn’t,” said David Raya, expressing his surprise at his Arsenal teammate’s performance against Man City today, despite being a substitute.

Arsenal endured a heartbreaking 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, battling through a challenging match. The Gunners faced a tough start as Erling Haaland cut through their defense to score early, putting Arsenal on the back foot. Ilkay Gundogan further threatened with a free kick that hit the post, signaling a difficult afternoon ahead.

However, Arsenal regrouped and found their footing, equalizing with a stunning strike from Riccardo Calafiori after a quickly taken free kick. Just before halftime, Gabriel headed in from a Bukayo Saka corner, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead. They seemed to be in control until Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card for time-wasting, forcing Arsenal into a defensive stance for the second half.

Player Ratings:

David Raya (8): Made crucial saves, particularly against Haaland in the second half, and managed the game well despite the intense pressure.

Jurrien Timber (8): Excelled defensively, keeping Doku in check during the first half and managing Savinho effectively later on.

William Saliba (7): Displayed composure throughout the match, recovering well after the early setback.

Gabriel (8): Although he had a shaky start, he grew into the match, scoring from a corner and bolstering the defense in the second half.

Riccardo Calafiori (6): Scored a remarkable goal but struggled defensively at times, making some questionable decisions.

Thomas Partey (7): Initially caught out of position for the opening goal, but he rebounded to deliver solid defensive support, especially in the second half.

Declan Rice (7): Adapted well to a new role on the right side of central midfield, showcasing tireless effort.

Bukayo Saka (7): Provided a brilliant corner for Gabriel’s goal but had to be substituted at halftime due to Trossard’s red card.

Gabriel Martinelli (8): Worked diligently off the ball and displayed skill on it, delivering excellent crosses and dribbling on the left flank.

Leandro Trossard (6): Unluckily received a second yellow card that shifted the momentum of the game; he had been relatively quiet up to that point.

Kai Havertz (8): Played with intensity, contributing defensively and setting a competitive tone with an early challenge on Rodri.


Substitutes:

Ben White (8): Despite a pre-match issue, he was solid and alert in defense after coming on at halftime, helping to stabilize the backline.