Manchester City play out draws with Arsenal Men’s and Women’s teams

The points were shared in the Premier League and WSL fixtures last week, when controversy struck both fixtures at the Etihad and Emirates respectively.

Arsenal went into their game against Manchester City coming off a comprehensive North London derby victory against Spurs, a game in which they once again displayed their ability to secure three points in a game where they were outperformed in shots on target and possession, thanks to their defensive poise and their unparalleled success at set pieces. However, the defensive edge that was seen as the primary way that Arsenal could come away with something at the Etihad was overcome in a flash as top scorer Erling Haaland broke away from William Saliba to score his tenth goal of the season.

The task now seemed mammoth for Arsenal, however they were presented with a lifeline by Ricardo Calafiori, making his full Premier League debut, who curled in a goal of the season contender from well outside the box to level the score. Guardiola appeared visibly angry, kicking his technical dugout seat, however Arsenal now grew in confidence in the game, eventually taking the lead with a second goal from a corner in the same number of games from Gabriel, setting Arsenal up for a long-awaited lead at the Emirates.

However, moments before half time, the game took a controversial turn

However, moments before half time, the game took a controversial turn, as Leandro Trossard was dismissed with a second yellow card for kicking the ball away; a profound sense of déjà vu for Arsenal fans, who witnessed similar scenes a matter of weeks ago as Declan Rice was dismissed for the same offence, a rule that the PGMOL have made a principled matter of enforcing this season.

The second half was truly distinct from the first – City played their football at the edge of the Arsenal box, however they were repeatedly denied and limited to ambitious efforts from outside the box. Arsenal’s ‘park the bus’ strategy seemed to have worked, however a late swing at the ball from John Stones found its way into the net to save something for City in a game that matters monumentally between the two lead contenders for the title this season.

Arsenal Women and Manchester City Women equally find themselves in the privileged position of being contenders for the WSL title this season

Arsenal Women and Manchester City Women equally find themselves in the privileged position of being contenders for the WSL title this season, however there is another major player in this title race – Chelsea, who set the title race in motion by claiming victory over Aston Villa in the opening game of the season.

As if competition for the title wasn’t enough, the game offered the intriguing return of Vivianne Miedema to Emirates Stadium, following her departure from Arsenal after seven years at the club. Arsenal began the game in exquisite style, with Frida Maanum nestling an opener straight into the roof of the net, however it was the Dutch forward who accentuated her return with a deflected strike to equalise the game going into half time.

The North London commenced the second half in similar fashion to how they did the first, with Caitlin Ford netting what appeared to be a legitimate goal, due to Leia Aleixandri’s foot keeping her onside, however the goal was disallowed. A stunner off the bar from Jess Park made this disallowed goal even more consequential for a game of such magnitude, however a rebounded finish from star player Beth Mead saved something for Arsenal, from a game that was officiated controversially at times, but was balanced in terms of the overall stats.

The Premier League and the WSL are marathons instead of sprints

In title races between the same teams in both leagues that are likely to determined by small margins, the controversy in both games is worth conversation, however the Premier League and the WSL are marathons instead of sprints, and the overall ultimate champions shall be decided by who can drop the least points in a race between two teams who know the challenge of competing in a season long title race.