ARSENAL’S trip to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium was stopped after just EIGHT SECONDS.
As the game kicked off, Gunners forward Kai Havertz seemed to run into City’s Rodri.
The Spanish midfielder went down clutching his face as referee Michael Oliver got immediate instructions from VAR.
But the official waved play on following a big break in play with Havertz’s collision adjudged to have been accidental.
Fans online sided with Havertz as one said: “Embarrassing from Rodri that is.”
Another added: “Embarrassing from Rodri…”
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
One fumed: “That’s genuinely so embarrassing from Rodri.”
Another raged: “Absolutely pathetic from Rodri.”
Gooner Piers Morgan posted: “Poor Rodri, is he still alive? Looked a really savage light brush with Havertz’s hand.”
But it was City fans who were soon cheering as just minutes later Erling Haaland opened the scoring.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
The Norwegian goal machine made in ten in just five appearances for City’s start to the season.
Rodri was later forced off after what appeared to be an off the ball incident on 20 minutes.
Physios took him off with Mateo Kovacic coming on in replace.
The game took a further twist when Arsenal’s summer signing Riccardo Calafiori levelled with a sublime curling effort.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk