Rollercoaster football, stupidity and self-destruction at Emirates! Rodri snatches injury-time win

The year is new, but some things have stayed the same as they were in the old year. Arsenal lost a game despite showing plenty of promise and quality in a clash against the reigning champions Manchester City. Bukayo Saka's excellent winner was rendered void by a Riyad Mahrez penalty and a shocking injury-time Rodri winner.

It was a joy to watch Arsenal dictate play against the champions. Even though there weren't Mikel Arteta on the touchline, the Gunners were inspired to kick the new year off with a good performance and a result against the in-form Citizens.

Saka's opening goal was no less than what the Gunners expected after a dynamic opening 30 minutes in North London. But this wouldn't be the Premier League is there weren't twists and turns in the story, now, would it?

As it was expected, City upped tempo after the break in the search of a goal. Their 10-win streak was in danger and they needed something extra to keep it going. Once again, it was Bernardo Silva who managed to create something out of nothing. He sold a dummy to Granit Xhaka and made the most of the subsequent contact with the Swiss. Initially, referee Stuart Atwell waved play on, but he pointed to the spot following a VAR review.

Riyad Mahrez stepped up and blasted the resulting penalty emphatically past Aaron Ramsdale to level. Arsenal were pretty disgruntled after conceding such a goal, but they were soon going to feel a lot worse. With City level it might have been expected that the defending champions would go on and win, but they almost found themselves behind a minute later.

A mix up between Ruben Dias and Ederson saw the defender loop a header over his goalkeeper and looking like it would be a comedy own goal, only for Nathan Ake to clear off the line and Gabriel Martinelli to hit the post with his follow up effort when he really should have scored. It was a miss that would prove costly late on.

A minute later and the crazy moments finished off with Gabriel getting his second yellow card in matter of minutes. First one was a result of his needless talking to the ref and the second came quite deservedly for a foul over Gabriel Jesus as City attempted a counter-attack. The Gunners were left to fight off City attacks with a man fewer on the field.

The excellent captain Alexandre Lacazette was hauled off as Arsenal prepared to sustain a heavy barrage from City, who suddenly had all the momentum. Pep Guardiola's players are human and it was clear that they lacked a bit of energy and freshness to build some real attacking pressure. But what they do have is an enormous desire to win and a lot of quality that ultimately shone through.

Deep in injury time Kevin De Bruyne swung a hopeful cross in and it was the unlikely hero Rodri who turned it into a match-winning goal. The Spanish midfielder scored a scrappy goal from close range to break Arsenal hearts despite showing plenty of positives.

In the end, City extended their impressive winning run to 11 wins after an entertaining match at the Emirates. If the first match of the year is anything to judge by, we're in for a majestic 2022.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 21

Saturday

Arsenal - Manchester City 1-2 (1-0)

/Saka 31 - Mahrez 57 pen, Rodri 90+3/

18:00: (6.00) Watford (3.90) Tottenham (1.65)

20:30: (3.30) Crystal Palace (3.35) West Ham (2.35)

Leicester - Norwich POSTPONED

Sunday

Southampton - Newcastle POSTPONED

17:00: (3.10) Brentford (3.20) Aston Villa (2.55)

17:00: (2.70) Everton (3.05) Brighton (3.00)

17:00: (2.05) Leeds (3.50) Burnley (3.90)

19:30: (3.00) Chelsea (3.30) Liverpool (2.55)

Monday

20:30: (1.65) Man.Utd. (3.80) Wolverhampton (6.25)

***odds are subject to change