Arsenal's nine outfield players stood firm, tight and stopped City time after time. The shots that got through the defense were saved by the outstanding goalkeeper David Raya.
In 45 plus seven added minutes, the visitors managed to handle Manchester City's pressure and pursuit of an equalizer.
Then the defense cracked.
Substitute John Stones got hold of a loose ball in Arsenal's penalty area and scored the 2-2 goal in the 98th minute.
It was a little surprising, I'm not used to scoring goals, he says in Viaplay's broadcast.
It was a big moment. When I look back on this, I hope it was an important point for us.
Haaland's 100th goal
History did not speak in Arsenal's favor before the match at Etihad Stadium in rainy Manchester. The club had nine straight matches without a win, seven losses and two draws.
The last win?
The start of the match did not go Arsenal's way either, as Erling Braut Haaland sprinted through and took advantage of Savinho's deep pass on the best possible way. The Norwegian scored 1-0 in the ninth minute.
The goal was his tenth for the league season and his 100th for the club, in 105 matches, since he came from Dortmund before the 2022 season.
Then and there, the show and its spotlight seemed to land on the 24-year-old.
But Arsenal wanted otherwise.
In the 22nd minute, Riccardo Calafiori scored the equalizer with a shot from outside the penalty area that bent nicely into goalkeeper Ederson's far corner.
Arsenal cheered — and City were furious.
Several players were up with referee Michael Oliver and pointed out that they were not ready to play after the substitution of injured Rodri and on the sidelines, coach Pep Guardiola was furious and took out his anger by kicking his chair.
But the goal stood — and another one would come.
In the end of the first half, Gabriel nodded in from Bukayo Saka's corner.
Trossard sent off
Suddenly, it looked promising for the London club.
But that changed quickly.
In the end of the first half, Leandro Trossard received his second warning and was subsequently shown the red card.
A sending-off that characterized the rest of the match.
The visitors' focus became defense, which made City play like a handball match, rolling the ball around outside the penalty area to find the gaps.
In the 98th minute, the chance came — and John Stones took it.
