The match ended 3-1 in favour of Man City, courtesy of goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland, helping them leapfrog Arsenal into the top of the table.
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Arsenal and Manchester City have both been charged with failing to control their players by the Football Association during the Premier League top of the table clash at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Both sets of players surrounded the referee Anthony Taylor at different times during the match in North London. The Gunners protested when Man City’s Erling Haaland was awarded a penalty, a decision then overturned by VAR. Meanwhile the Cityzens were unhappy at the decision to award Arsenal a first-half penalty and later with an Eddie Nketiah foul. The match ended 3-1 in favour of Man City, helping them leapfrog Arsenal into the top of the table.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 17, 2023
The FA statement read: “Arsenal and Manchester City have been charged after their players surrounded the match official at different times during the Premier League fixture on Wednesday 15 February. It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, with Arsenal’s players surrounding the match official during the 56th minute, and Manchester City doing the same during the 42nd and 64th minutes. Both clubs have until Tuesday 21 February to provide their respective responses.”
It marks the third time Arsenal have been charged by the FA this season for failing to control their players, after being hit by the same alleged breach in a Premier League match against Newcastle United and an FA Cup tie against Oxford last month. The Gunners were charged GBP 40,000 for admitting the offence against the Magpies, but appealed the Oxford charge.
An independent Appeal Board has imposed a £60,000 fine on Arsenal FC after its players surrounded a match official during The FA Cup tie against Oxford United FC on Monday 9 January.
Full statement and written reasons: https://t.co/ko0VYzjqVM pic.twitter.com/8C7djMpG8K
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 17, 2023
Meanwhile, it was a thrilling match in London that saw Arsenal being displaced from the summit of the table. Reigning champions Man City broke the deadlock mid-way through the first half after Kevin de Bruyne capitalised on a poor backpass from Arsenal full-back Tomiyasu and volleyed the ball over the home goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net.Bukayo Saka equalised for Arsenal from the penalty spot, three minutes from the break.
Man City recorded just 36% ball possession but capitalised on Arsenal’s defensive errors to secure the win away from home. Pep Guardiola’s side restored their lead 18 minutes from time, once again capitaising on a defensive error, and the move was finished off nicely by Jack Grealish. And then, Haaland sealed the win for Man City with an 82nd-minute effort. It was their 16th league-win of the season, taking their points tally to 51 from 22 games, level on points with second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand, but separated by goal-difference.
