Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scored a rare right-footed goal to open the scoring in the ninth minute as Arsenal became the last Premier League team to concede from open play by falling behind at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
In a lightning City counter-attack, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders surged through the centre, bided his time as Haaland charged inside the box on the right and teed up the striker for his 13th goal in his last eight games for club and country with a firm finish.
Erling Haaland strikes at the Emirates! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/lNK5BBWo0O
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
“Absolutely amazing,” former Manchester United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports, suggesting that fans “did not see this type of goal” when Haaland first joined City in 2022.
“A proper goal. The run is devastating and if Reijnders saw him, then the [goal was] inevitable. It is wonderful from Halaand. Haaland is the best.”
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Erling Haaland goals: ‘Top player’
Speaking before the game between the title hopefuls, Roy Keane – a seven-time English champion with United – said Haaland “looked sharp”.
“He’s the best in the business, isn’t he?” Keane asked the broadcaster.
“I’m sure he must be glad to have Phil Foden coming back into good form, because he [gave him] an assist the other night [in a 2-0 home win over Napoli] that many players wouldn’t be able to do, so you know he’s going to get decent service.
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“He looks lean, he looks hungry and things are going well for him internationally. You want these lads to turn up in big games and that’s what he tends to do.
“He has a big say in how the game goes. Top player.”
Haaland also scored twice in a 4-0 win at Wolves on August 16, once in a 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion 15 days later and twice in a 3-0 home victory over United last Sunday, as well as five times in Norway’s 11-1 home win over Moldova and the only goal against visitors Finland in September.
🗣️ “Nothing is decided after five games”
Hear from Pep Guardiola ahead of Arsenal vs Man City 💭 pic.twitter.com/DJPhBHpvsC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
Arsenal team vs Man City
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka returned from a hamstring issue on the bench but strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have long-term knee injuries
Midfielder Martin Odegaard has a shoulder injury but Ben White was on the bench, having been a doubt with a knee problem.
William Saliba came back from an ankle injury at centre-half, with Cristhian Mosquera making way.
Trossard, who set up Martinelli’s goal in Bilbao, came in for substitute Eberechi Eze, who was on the bench.
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Noni Madueke, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Ready to represent ✊ pic.twitter.com/tGJ2CdEaj7
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 21, 2025
Manchester City lineup vs Arsenal
John Stones returned on the bench following a muscular problem for City, who were unchanged for a third straight game.
New signings Rayan Cherki (muscle), Omar Marmoush (knee) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (knock) were still out, as were midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips (both foot).
Manchester City starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland
Man City substitutes: James Trafford, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Divine Mukasa, Rico Lewis
How to watch Arsenal vs Man City: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday was at 16:30 BST (11:30 ET / 08:30 PT), with the match being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
