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Arsenal 2, Manchester City 2
Goals
- Theo Walcott (40′)
- Shkodran Mustafi (53′)
- Leroy Sané (5′)
- Sergio Agüero (42′)
Starting Lineups
Check out the starting lineups for @Arsenal and @ManCity #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/Scu9jBROLw
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2017
Recap
A back-and-forth affair at the Emirates Stadium saw two teams battling for a Champions League spot settle for a point. Arsenal twice came back to tie the game to earn their first point of the season against City after losing to them 2-1 earlier in the season.
The visitor’s got off to a strong start inside the opening five minutes. A failed Arsenal clearance off a City goal kick fell to Kevin De Bruyne inside his own half, and he played a pin-point through ball to a streaking Leroy Sane. Sane beat Hector Bellerin for pace and strength, rounded Arsenal keeper David Ospina, and finished with his left foot from a tight angle to give Pep Guardiola’s men the lead.
Just a reminder that Leroy Sane is really accurate #MCFC pic.twitter.com/LLZrexVPBF
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2017
City’s defensive issues reared their heads again though five minutes before half-time.
Nicolas Otamendi’s attempted clearance header was weak and Skhodran Mustafi headed the ball back into the City box. Theo Walcott battled Gael Clichy, who played him onside, for the loose ball, and Walcott was able to stab the ball past City keeper Willy Caballero.
But that wouldn’t be the last goal of the half, as Aguero’s 14th goal of the season reclaimed the City advantage.
David Silva found himself on the edge of the box, and slid the ball an unmarked Aguero on the right side of the box. Aguero took a dribble forward, and left himself a really tight angle to score. His right footed effort just slipped past an Arsenal defender and Ospina into the far side netting for a fantastic finish and 2-1 lead for the visitors heading into half-time.
Sergio Aguero is here for all of your goal scoring needs #MCFC pic.twitter.com/Xhf46mzP2U
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2017
City have struggled to defend set-pieces under Guardiola, and a German-to-German connection on a corner kick tied the game back up just seven minutes after the restart.
Mesut Ozil whipped in a the ball from the left corner flag, and the ball met the head of Mustafi. Mustafi beat Otamendi for positioning about seven yards from the goal, and his header bounced past the outstretched arms of Caballero to the delight of the home fans.
Shkodran Mustafi knows what the people want #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/d0GgNXicwh
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2017
Man City twice almost took the lead for a third time, but Ospina made fine saves an outside of the box laser from Fernandinho and a close range header from Aguero to keep it a knotted affair.
With the result, City remain in third place, 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea, but with a match against them on Wednesday. Arsenal meanwhile remain in sixth, seven points behind City for the last Champions League spot, but Arsenal do have a game in hand.
