Erling Haaland hands Arsenal Premier League title race upper hand with bizarre Man City decision

Arsenal came so close to recording a victory at the Etihad Stadium

Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury said at the end of the match at the Etihad Stadium that Manchester City versus Arsenal would live long in the memory. The whole game may not have done, but the first half certainly will.

Two big guns went at it hammer and tongs in the first half - a true clash of Premier League titans. Arsenal led 2-1, having initially trailed Erling Haaland's opening goal, with a sumptuous strike from Riccardo Calafiori and a header from Gabriel Magalhaes.

But the game changed with Leandro Trossard's silly red card right on half-time. The whole dynamic of the match turned thereafter.

It was attack versus defence in the second half as Arsenal were content to hold what they had and utilise the best defence in the league to keep City out.

City had no answers. That is until the 98th minute when a quick Jack Grealish corner caught them slightly off guard and a Mateo Kovacic shot ping-ponged around in the area before John Stones stabbed home.

What happened thereafter proved just how fearful of Arsenal Man City are though. And despite his anger and frustration at what he had just seen, will surely put a smile on Mikel Arteta's face.

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There were still to be another two minutes of action after Stones' goal. Man City, against ten men, a crestfallen ten men at that having seen their staunch rearguard action breached, could have pushed for a winner.

In normal circumstances you'd run to collect the ball out of the net and get the game going again. Haaland did quickly get the ball, but instead of running it back to the centre circle, he proceeded to throw it at Gabriel's head - repercussions for which could come down retrospectively - while laughing and running off to celebrate, leaving the ball behind.

City chose not to get the game started again quickly, Declan Rice instead looking like the one to pick his teammates up and go for it with Arsenal.

City were happy with the point. At home to their closest rivals, who happened to have ten men. That showed the fear they have for the Gunners in the Premier League title race. And is a real feather in Arteta's cap.

Arsenal have the champions running scared and that could be huge in the weeks and months to come.

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