September 23rd 2024.
Gary Lineker was left in shock by an incredible statistic that emerged from the recent match between Manchester City and Arsenal. The two teams, who are both vying for the Premier League title, played a thrilling and controversial 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. It was a game that had everything - early goals, contentious decisions, and a dramatic late equalizer.
Man City started the match with a bang, as Erling Haaland scored within the first ten minutes to give them the lead. It was a milestone goal for the Premier League champions, as it marked their 100th goal of the season. However, Arsenal fought back and equalized through a stunning strike from their summer signing, Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners then took the lead when Gabriel headed in a corner.
Despite being ahead at halftime, Arsenal fans were worried about the second half after their player, Leandro Trossard, was sent off for a second yellow card. It seemed like a long and difficult 45 minutes awaited them. And indeed, Manchester City put them under immense pressure, but it looked like they would fall short until John Stones' dramatic equalizer in the dying moments of the game.
Lineker, who was hosting the Match of the Day podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, described the match as "fascinating." He couldn't help but bring up an "amazing" stat that caught his attention. "Do you know the most amazing stat from this game?" he asked his colleagues. "Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber both played for Arsenal for over 89 minutes without completing a single pass. That hasn't happened in seven years!"
Richards was incredulous, asking, "They didn't complete one pass?" Shearer simply replied with a "wow." It was indeed a remarkable statistic, and despite the unusual record, Arsenal will be pleased with their performance, especially after being reduced to ten men.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was proud of his team's display against the "best team in the world." He was particularly impressed with their resilience, as they managed to hold out with a man less for over half the game. When asked about the red card for Trossard, Arteta chose not to comment, saying, "I don't want to ruin anything else off the pitch."
Ultimately, it was a game that had it all - drama, controversy, and a never-give-up attitude from both teams. It was a testament to the quality of the Premier League and why it is often regarded as the most exciting league in the world.
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