Arsenal and Man City stars involved in furious bust-up as tensions boil over in title clash
Manchester City's clash against Arsenal finished all square as John Stones struck from close range to ensure Pep Guardiola's men remained above their bitter rivals in the table - but tensions spilled over shortly after
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorManchester City and Arsenal players were involved in a furious bust-up just before the end of their exhilarating 2-2 draw at the Etihad as tensions threatened to boil over in stoppage time.
The game finished all square on Sunday evening as John Stones struck from close range to ensure Pep Guardiola's men remained top of Premier League table - but both sides clashed shortly after his goal.
Tensions were high at the end of the extraordinary match as a ten-man Arsenal side battled to cling on to their 2-1 lead, having frustrated City and restricted them to long shots only.
But the Premier League champions eventually saw their dominance pay as Mateo Kovacic's shot was rebounded to Stones - who only had to poke into the net.
As City were sent into pandemonium and Arsenal were left floored, Erling Haaland picked up the ball before throwing it at the head of Gabriel Magalhaes.
His antics appear to have hit a nerve as moments later City and Arsenal players were involved in a row, with hordes of players squaring off against each other.
After full time, Gabriel Jesus approached Haaland and argued with the Norwegian forward, with the players exchanging words before Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta stepped in to diffuse the situation.
The game was full of incidents as Kai Havertz was subject to a VAR check just four seconds into the game after appearing to shoulder-barge Rodri from the kick-off, before officials waved it off.
Haaland then opened the scoring with a terrific finish after a through ball from Savinho, though City were later left ruing an injury to key midfielder Rodri, who picked up a knee problem.
Arsenal got level through Riccardo Calafiori - who curled an effort into the corner with aplomb to leave the away side delirious, though Pep Guardiola was fuming over the goal. He felt that Arsenal's free kick in the build up should have been taken 10 yards away from where the original foul was.
Just before half time Gabriel Magalhaes got Arsenal in front with a brilliant header from a corner and then Leandro Trossard was given his marching orders with a second yellow to give Arteta's side with huge work to do.
Arsenal fought valiantly in the second half and for long spells it looked like City had ran out of ideas as they were forced to play sideways passes around a tight and rigid defence - before their resolve was broken by Stones' strike.
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