THE NOTEBOOK: Thug squares up to ex-Arsenal and Man City star Samir Nasri at the Emirates, Martin Odegaard still fuming over Spurs setback and fans losing patience with David Raya
- Arsenal fan squared up to Samir Nasri and threw punches at other supporters
- Keeper David Raya looked increasingly jittery and took an age to distribute play
- Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli fired a last-gasp winner to earn Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, a result that moved Mikel Arteta’s side level on points with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal came into the match having not beaten City in the league since 2015, a run of 15 games — their longest winless streak against a single opponent in league history.
Ending such a barren run looked unlikely as City had the better of the chances in the first half, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice clearing off the line to keep the champions at bay.
Arsenal did not have a single shot on target in the opening period, but upped the tempo after the break, even though City still created the better openings despite their Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland being kept quiet all afternoon.
Mail Sport’s Isaan Khan takes a look at the talking points from Sunday’s encounter.
An Arsenal fan squared up to former Arsenal and Man City midfielder Samir Nasri on Sunday
Nasri attacked by fan at the Emirates
Big, meaty challenges, like the one from Mateo Kovacic on Declan Rice which arguably should have resulted in a second yellow card, were seen off the pitch, too.
Ex-Arsenal and Man City midfielder Samir Nasri was minding his own business in the press seats, when a Gunners fan suddenly squared up to him and then threw punches at other supporters in the same section.
The offender was swiftly ejected.
Arteta ends hoodoo
As a manager, Mikel Arteta has now beaten every Premier League team he has faced.
City had been his bogey side, having failed to register a win seven consecutive times in the league.
But not anymore.
Mikel’s mind games
Arteta loves a selection mind-game — and in that respect, the line-up announcement did not disappoint.
Bukayo Saka was said to be ‘in contention’, according to the Gunners boss on Friday. He was with the team on Sunday, but not even listed on the bench.
Anything psychological to gain an edge over the opposition, as his mentor Pep Guardiola would approve of.
Erling Haaland was given the same treatment by centre-back pairing William Saliba and Gabriel as in the Community Shield — a complete shut-out.
The striker had just 23 touches which is more than the 13 touches in the August fixture, yet still anonymous.
Keeper David Raya looked increasingly jittery and took an age to distribute play from his area
Fans losing patience with Raya
The honeymoon period for David Raya appears to have already ended. Especially after 17 minutes, the ball whistling past his goal after a late kick of his deflected off Julian Alvarez.
The Spaniard looked increasingly jittery with the ball at his feet, and also took an age to distribute play from his area.
Cries of ‘play it forward’ could be heard at regular intervals from the fans in the first half.
And of course, the customary camera pan to Aaron Ramsdale sitting on the bench followed the main Raya indiscretions.
Show of support
Arsenal warmed-up in their new women’s team away kit, which is a collaboration with famed designer Stella McCartney.
It is the first time the women’s side have had a separate kit from the men.
A fitting touch by them to show their support.
Odegaard still fuming over Spurs setback
Captain Martin Odegaard revealed his frustration with Spurs draw in Man City programme
The North London derby draw from two weekends ago is still on the minds of those in red and white.
Captain Martin Odegaard said in the programme notes ahead of the Manchester City clash: ‘We led twice in the game (against Tottenham) and the way we let them back in the game was very disappointing.
‘But for me the most disappointing thing was the way we played when in possession.’
Some rivalries just cannot be rendered to the past.
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