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Manchester City vs Arsenal Highlights

By on October 19, 2020

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Manchester City managed to record the second win of their 2020/2021 EPL campaign after beating Arsenal in a tightly contested game at the Etihad. The hosts were without several first-team players like Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, Benjamin Mendy, and Aymeric Laporte.

Many Betway punters expected the absence of Jesus and De Bruyne after Pep Guardiola ruled out the two in Friday’s press conference. However, there wasn’t any suggestion that Mendy and Laporte wouldn’t be available.

Talking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Guardiola says he expects Laporte to come back before Mendy. However, missing several key players didn’t stop the hosts from taking an early lead through Raheem Sterling’s goal in the 23rd minute. However, Sterling’s left-foot strike proved to be the sole goal in this game, with the Blues moving to seven points.

Before kick-off, Arsenal had to make a late change, with David Luiz replacing Rob Holding following an injury. However, that didn’t help them to score any goals as Ederson made crucial saves, denying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka as the Gunners pushed to equalize.

While Betway soccer betting offered solid odds on the match, Man City struggled to kill off the game. However, their performance saw the visitors hand over a debut game to their last-minute signing, Thomas Partey, in search of an equalizer. However, there wasn’t any way for Mikel Arteta’s men to get through, leaving City to enjoy a confidence-boosting triumph.

With a game at hand, Guardiola’s team will move to the 10th position with seven points following their seventh straight EPL win over Arsenal. The Gunners, on the other hand, will stay at the fifth position with nine points.

How Did Man-City Edge Past The Gunners?

Man-City started strongly with Riyad Mahrez firing narrowly wide less than a minute after kick-off, before teeing Sergio Aguero moments later. The hosts finally took the lead in the 23rd minute, with the returning Aguero involved again.

Arsenal attempted to instantly respond to the goal, with Saka forcing a superb save from Ederson before Pepe headed Willian’s cross straight at the City keeper. However, Leno had to do his best to stop Foden from adding another goal for City after capitalizing on Gabriel’s loose pass. Fortunately, the Gunners saw the goal as an encouragement to finish the half strongly.

Ederson showcased his brilliant performance once again after denying Aubameyang a goal, with replays showing the Gabon international onside as the flag went up.

Arsenal demanded a penalty ahead of the break for Kyle Walker’s high foot before Gabriel fired wide. It was a cagey affair after the break, though Arsenal were the one that first threatened through Pepe’s header. Saka was fouled by Ruben Diaz moments later before David Luiz kicked the resulting free-kick over the bar.

At the other end, Luiz narrowly avoided an own goal after diverting Joao Cancelo’s low cross off the far post space. That was before Pepe curled another free-kick narrowly wide as City held on to secure all three points.