The Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal was abruptly terminated after only a few seconds when Gunners forward Kai Havertz collided with Rodri at the Etihad Stadium shortly after kickoff.
The match between Manchester City and Arsenal was abruptly terminated after only four seconds due to an unusual incident involving Kai Havertz.
The German forward collided with Rodri mere moments after Michael Oliver initiated the game. The Manchester City midfielder collapsed to the ground, grasping his face, and necessitated medical attention.
After a nearly two-minute delay, he was permitted to resume play, and the game resumed. Havertz was also spared sanction. Oliver refrained from administering an early red card to the Gunners’ star player, despite some ambiguity regarding his dismissal.
Leon Osman, a former Everton midfielder, expressed his perspective on the peculiar confrontation. He stated on BBC Radio 5 Live that Rodri attempted to cross Havertz, and Havertz ran through him. Havertz anticipated the situation and struck him in the torso. Havertz stated, “If you are going to do that, I will leave a little bit to you.”
Erling Haaland, a City striker, executed a devastating challenge on Gabriel Magalhaes, an Arsenal player, mere moments later. Referee Oliver intervened and granted the Gunners a free kick; however, he declined to administer any additional penalties to the Norwegian forward.
Arsenal may have harbored the expectation that he would have done so following his concession to Pep Guardiola’s team. He was released behind the Gunners’ defense and scored with a clinical, low finish.
It was his 105th appearance for the club, and it marked his 100th goal since his arrival from German side Borussia Dortmund. This season, he has been in exceptional form, having tallied ten goals in the Premier League.
There were only 15 minutes remaining in the game, and it continued to be incident-riddled. Spanish midfielder Rodri collapsed grasping his knee during City’s attempt to extend their advantage from a corner, necessitating extensive medical attention.
Mateo Kovacic, Guardiola’s midfield companion, was also obliged to participate in the Euro 2024. City will now hope that Rodri does not miss any action in the upcoming months, as it was only his first Premier League start of the campaign.
The agony of Man City was further exacerbated by Arsenal’s summer acquisition, Riccardo Calafiori, who scored a remarkable equalizer from far away. The hosts were incensed by the goal, and manager Guardiola even went so far as to kick his seat. Ederson was also issued a yellow card during the post-goal celebrations. Gabriel then finalized Arsenal’s remarkable reversal in the first half.