John Stones’ dramatic 98th-minute equaliser ensured Man City avoided defeat against Arsenal on Sunday and maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who are chasing a record-extending fifth league title, made a strong start to the fixture and took an early lead through Erling Haaland, who raced through on goal to score his 100th for the club.
But Arsenal scored twice before half-time to go in ahead – Riccardo Calafiori curling home a superb long-range strike before the towering Gabriel powered in a header.
Arsenal were reduced to ten men shortly after – Leandro Trossard seeing red for a second yellow card after kicking the ball away and delaying the restart – but it looked as though City would fail to break down Mikel Arteta’s resolute defence in a one-sided second 45 minutes.
That was until Stones bundled home a late equaliser to deny Arsenal a memorable victory at the Etihad Stadium in a tense and action-packed affair.
The result leaves Manchester City top of the Premier League, one point ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa and two above title-chasing Arsenal.
Carragher views Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool as the top three teams in England but believes Pep Guardiola’s side still have ‘the edge’ over their title rivals.
Asked for his take on the title race after the Etihad thriller, Carragher said on a Sky Sports podcast: ‘I think it will be similar to last season where Liverpool are just slightly behind these two teams.
‘By next season they could be really improving and maybe looking to go for it when the manager knows everything about his squad.
‘Remember he hasn’t really bought anymore. It’s still last season’s team and I still think they’re the third-best team in the league.
‘Looking at the two teams we watched today, I still just think Man City have got a little bit more. When I look at the squads and the attacks… Kevin de Bruyne didn’t play today.
‘They’ve got a bit more in the attacking areas, I think they’ve got a bit more. I just think Man City have the edge.’
Despite conceding a late equaliser against Manchester City, Arsenal boss Arteta said he was ‘so proud’ of his team after they returned to north London with a point despite going down to ten men.
‘I am so proud of the team. We played the game in a difficult context, playing against the best team in the world,’ he said.
‘After what happened when we went 2-1 up, it was a different story. I prefer not to make any comment about that [Leandro Trossard’s red card].
‘Obviously, it is already a miracle that we had played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men [without conceding]. It is unbelievable what we have done.
‘It is obvious what happened when they made that decision, but it doesn’t deserve my comment. I don’t want to ruin anything else off the pitch.’
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