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Kevin De Bruyne (r.) in a duel with Arsenal's Bukayo Saka
Photo: Jason Cairnduff / Action Images / Reuters
The top game of the English football league remained without a winner. On matchday 30, reigning champions Manchester City and Arsenal FC drew 0-0. City is now unbeaten at home in 39 games across all competitions.
It remains an exciting title race in the Premier League, in which Liverpool FC suddenly has the best cards: Jürgen Klopp's 300th win with the Reds pushed Liverpool to the top of the table. Two points behind is Arsenal, who are one point ahead of third-placed Citizens. There are still eight match days to be completed this season.
City started the game without the ailing regular players John Stones and Kyle Walker, but with former Bundesliga professional Stefan Ortega. Ortega moved from Arminia Bielefeld to Manchester in 2022, where he is currently replacing the injured regular goalkeeper Ederson. German international Kai Havertz was on the field for Arsenal from the start.
Arsenal had lost the last seven Premier League games at City's Etihad Stadium. A series that was reflected in the visitors' game: Arsenal withdrew, City were given the ball. Even Havertz, the Gunners' striker, was sometimes only 30 meters from his own goal when the opponent had the ball. Nevertheless, the Londoners had the first chance of the game: Jesus handled a cross from the right with his chest and his volley hit the side netting (7th).
On the other hand, Manchester needed a corner in order to record not only possession and passes, but also completion in the statistics. Nathan Aké headed past Arsenal keeper David Raya in the six-yard box (15'). The Londoners appeared inferior, but defended flawlessly and remained dangerous on the counterattack. What was particularly noticeable was the Brazilian Jesus, who dribbled twice against several City players in the penalty area, but did not put the ball on goal (31st/35th).
Martinelli fails in the final phase due to Ortega
We went into the break without any goals. City also struggled to penetrate the dense London defense in the second half. Superstar Erling Haaland was barely visible, Mateo Kovačić's shot from 20 meters just missed the goal and was City's best chance in the second half (47'). Arsenal, meanwhile, implemented the match plan of Mikel Arteta, who was assistant coach at City for three years under Guardiola, in a disciplined manner: let Manchester combine and play forward purposefully when they won the ball.
It was a thrilling final phase: Haaland couldn't get the ball under control at the far post (84th), in return Gabriel Martinelli was denied by goalkeeper Ortega from a tight angle (86th).