Manchester City ends Arsenal unbeaten record in 2020

Premier League defending champions, Manchester City, continues their fine form against Arsenal football club. They have now won the last 7 out of 7 games against the gunners in all competitions. City was also the first team to beat the gunners under new coach Mikel Arteta in 2020 as man of the match, Kevin De Bruyne, stole the show yet again.

The Premier League returns after 100 days and wasn’t devoid of actions and controversy. David Luiz was sent off during the Manchester City versus Arsenal game, which saw City record a three-goal win against Arsenal.

David Luiz, who came on as a first-half substitute, failed to clear the ball just before half-time and Raheem Sterling fired in City’s opener.

The defender was then sent off after pulling back Riyad Mahrez in the second half to give away a penalty, which Kevin de Bruyne coolly converted for City’s second.

Substitute Phil Foden netted a third for the defending champions, capitalising on a rebound from Sergio Aguero’s strike.

Also see: The Premier League is back – The build up and all you need to know

Manchester City weren’t fantastic in the opening stages of the game and neither was Arsenal. City gradually eased into the game and controlled it from start to finish as Arsenal were second best in every department aside in goal.

Bernd Leno denied a host of chances in the first half to deny city from taking the lead. De Bruyne, Sterling, and David Silva were all denied by Arsenal goalkeeper, who produced an impressive display up until when Luiz’s mistake gifted Sterling a chance from close range.

Victory for Pep Guardiola’s side means league leaders Liverpool remain six points away from winning the title – writing off any potential celebrations in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

On an evening in which thousands tuned in to watch a new-look Premier League on their TV screens, players from both clubs used their platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement for racial equality as players and staff took a knee immediately before kick-off.

Arsenal made two forced substitutions early in the first half as Granit Xhaka was taken off on a stretcher early on and Pablo Mari, who was making just his second Premier League start for the club, followed Granit Xhaka.

City also had a concern over Eric Garcia but Pep Guardiola says he’s been responding well and is conscious.

Random Stats

• David Luiz, according to opta stats, became the first player to be sent off, concede a penalty and commit an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League match since Carl Jenkinson for West Ham against Bournemouth in August 2015.
• He has conceded four penalties in the Premier League this season – the joint-most in a single campaign in the competition’s history (also Jose Fonte 2016-17, Gary Caldwell 2011-12, Ibrahima Sonko 2007-08, Claus Lundekvam 1999-00, Ken Monkou 1993-94 and Luc Nijholt 1993-94).
• Arsenal are winless in their past 26 Premier League away games against fellow ‘big six’ opposition (D10 L16), with their last such victory coming at Etihad Stadium in January 2015 (2-0).
• Arsenal have lost by three or more goals both home and away in a league season versus an opponent (Man City in 2019-20) for the first time since 1969-70, against Chelsea.
• Manchester City have won their past seven matches against Arsenal in all competitions, extending their best ever winning run against the Gunners.
• Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other player this season (25 – nine goals and 16 assists) – it’s also his best goal involvement tally in a single top-flight campaign in England.
• Raheem Sterling became the first player to score a goal in the month of June in the English top-flight since Walter Rickett, for Sheffield United against Stoke on 14 June, 1947.
• Sterling also scored in his 50th home club game in all competitions – he’s never been on the losing side in those fixtures for Liverpool and Manchester City (W47 D3).