It was a wonderful game, it was a tragic game, it was a controversial game.
The first game of the new year, coinciding with New Year's Day, Guardiola led the Blue Moon Army, which has won 10 consecutive victories, to the Emirates Stadium to challenge the Gunners who have won four consecutive victories in the recent past, and the Premier League leader against the fourth place in the Premier League is naturally highly anticipated.
The Gunners' round of the league was postponed, and this round occupied the home advantage, although coach Arteta could not come to the scene due to the infection of the new crown, but the advantage of waiting for work made the Gunners all over the team hold on to end the embarrassment of 7 winless games against the Blue Moons at home (1 draw and 6 losses) and 10 consecutive Defeats in the Premier League, and by the way washed away the shame of the first leg of the 0-5 defeat at the Etihad.
Young, means unlimited possibilities, Gunners players in front of tens of thousands of fathers and fellow countrymen, played a full of energy football, the shock brought by this youth storm, let people excited.
It's hard to imagine that the defending champions, who have won 10 consecutive games, would be so upset at the Emirates Stadium. With the power of shame, the determination to take revenge, the energy of youth, the young gunners turned every inch of the lawn of the Emirates Stadium into a position of revenge. Even Manchester City, in the face of such an impactful attack, is somewhat overwhelmed.
Less than 10 minutes into the opening game, Erdegaard received Lacazette's goal, Ederson came out to block and tripped Upgaard, referee Stuart Atwell refused to award a penalty under the reminder of VAR, but the Gunners still broke through the Blue Moon goal with smooth coordination.
In the 31st minute, Tierney's cross deflected and Saka pulled a gap under Akazet's cover and sent the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal with a low shot. The Gunners, who used their youth to justify themselves, took the lead.
Subsequently, Martinelli staged consecutive long-distance attacks, and almost broke Edson's ten-finger mark again. Throughout the first half, City saw no leader and defending champions, only 4 shots on goal, and none of them hit, and the defensive end could only frequently end the Gunners' attack with fouls. The championship suspense that was about to disappear in the Premier League seems to be coming back.
Originally thought that Guardio's adjustment after the easy side would make the Blue Moon Army change on the offensive end, but I did not expect that under the pressure of the gunners, everything was business as usual, and the fatigue brought by the continuous conquest made the Blue Army generals feel powerless. However, just when Guardiola was helpless, the thunder buried in the gunner's formation exploded again.
In the first leg, the Gunners lost 0-5 at the Etihad, with Xhaka's red card being the culprit, and in this game, it was Zaka who pulled down Bernardo Silva, who had burst into the bottom line without any need. Referee Stuart Atwell awarded a penalty on VAR's reminder.
It's a shame the Gunners played such a great game and were equalized in such a way. However, the Gunners' subsequent counterattack immediately made Guardiola break out in a cold sweat, Laporte lost power in a moment, and in the case that Edson had already attacked, the header was returned to the goal, and after the ball bounced off the ground, it slowly rolled towards the goal...
At that moment, Guardiola, who was sitting on a needle felt, had already felt the critical blow from heaven and earth; at that moment, Arteta, who was far away, had seen the smile of the goddess of victory.
It was too late, it was fast, only to see Acker with a shovel that fell to the ground and kicked the ball that was about to enter the net on the goal line! This scene reminds people of the extreme release of stones against Liverpool 2 years ago that determined the championship of the season. The Emirates Stadium erupted with a heartbreaking sigh, but the Gunners fans did not have time to feel sad about it, and Gabriel was sent off after pulling Jesus 2 yellow to 1 red on the counter-attack.
The situation changed abruptly, and the Gunners' good situation was ruined, but even though there was one less man on the court, the young Gunners still did not give up, and Saka, Martinelli and Smith-Roy still threatened Ederson's goal with smooth coordination.
Six minutes of stoppage time, which was a chance and a test for the young Gunners. But in the end, the gunman paid the price because he was young. Cancelo's shots snuffed out the Gunners' outstanding performance throughout the game, and City won their first win of the new year, winning 11 consecutive games to continue to lead the way.
But this ambiguity of referee Stuart Artwell's penalty standards is destined to become the focus of controversy in the media and fans after the game, and the Gunners are really defeated, their courage and determination are at least worthy of a draw.
But that's football, that's life.