Soccer

BERNARDO SILVA bizarrely claimed Arsenal have “never won the Premier League” after their draw with Manchester City.The Gunners came from behind to lead 2-1 during the first half before being denied by John Stones’ stoppage time strike.Bernardo Silva has bizarrely claimed Arsenal have ‘never won the Premier League’Credit: APSilva hit out at the Gunners after their 2-2 draw with Manchester CityCredit: RexIt means both sides maintain their unbeaten Premier League starts after a heated afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.The match was stopped after just eight minutes following a clash between Kai Havertz and Rodri, who was later forced off injured.Leandro Trossard was also sent off for delaying the restart on the brink of half-time, leaving his side with 10 men for the second half.Erling Haaland then launched the ball at Gabriel whilst City celebrated Stones’ equaliser.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe fiery atmosphere continued into Silva’s post-match media duties as he took aim at the Gunners.Asked about the difference between playing Arsenal and Liverpool, he told TNT Sports Brazil: “Well, perhaps because Liverpool has already won the Premier League and Arsenal hasn’t.”Liverpool at that time had also won a UCL, while Arsenal hasn’t.”Liverpool always faced us head-on, to win matches. From that perspective, our games against Arsenal haven’t been like the matches against Liverpool were, and still are.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAlthough Mikel Arteta’s side have not won the title since 2004, they are three-time Premier League champions, two more than Liverpool.However, it did not stop fans from reacting on social media, with one writing: “He literally called Arsenal a small club.”Fans all spot Wright’s reaction to Hart screaming in his face after Man City goal against Arsenal We thought games like this had been lostSunSport’s NEIL CUSTIS hails chaotic Man City vs Arsenal clash as a return to the Premier League of yesteryear.FOR two teams who have done so much to take the game forward this really was a tremendous throwback.We thought these games had been lost.Real feisty encounters between two rivals fighting for the top honours.How we used to love it when Manchester United came up against Arsenal when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were in charge.When Roy Keane, watching on as a TV pundit here, used to clash with Patrick Vieira before a ball had been kicked.The Manchester derbies used to have it as well.In fact that were clashes everywhere throughout the league.Since then the emphasis on the beauty of the game, the tactical side, the ball playing centre-back, the false nine, the inverted full-backs have all come to the fore.But English football still loves something like this.Compare this to the two matches between this pair last season not least the really STALEmate here.Then along comes a blood and thunder classic.A match to set the tone for what we all hope will be a real title tussle to the end but with that added edge.While these two managers maybe good friends who knows we may even get the niggly comments in pre-match press conferences about each others teams.We knew we were in for something a bit different as straight from the kick-off Kai Havertz charged into Rodri and left him flawed.The first players’ melee ensued.Foreign coaches often scratch their heads as to why English crowds love stuff like this.Love a thumping tackle, or a bit of a barney.How that as much as any sweeping move gets them to the edge of their seats and there was plenty of that here.Jurrien Timber was employed on the right to combat the pace of Jeremy Doku.SO Doku just charged into him and floored him.Rodri was clearly seen as one of City’s key men so at a corner Thoams Party followed up Havertz’s early example and caught him behind the knee, and the player hobbled out of the action.Gabriel and Erling Haaland was a classic battle between a big centre-forward and an Arsenal centre-back who performs like greats of old like Tony Adams and Martin Keown.A player for whom a thumping tackle warrants the same high fives or celebrations as something defining at the other end of the pitch.Haaland did brilliantly to pull away William Saliba and slip behind Gabriel for his goal.Gabriel will have been fuming having kept the big Norwegian so quiet last season.He barely gave him another sniff of goal, barring a second-half header saved, as he stuck to him, the pair often pushing and shoving one another as Haaland became frustrated with his shadow.Leandro Trossard did not get his second yellow and therefore the only red for the actual barge on Bernardo as everyone first thought but for kicking the ball away after that.Both technical areas were a flurry of arm waving and shouting from the two managers.The staff on the two benches started having a go at each other and Guardiola had to intervene.In the press box one of Arsenal’s technical staff was losing it.As Arsenal players went down with cramp and played for time the boos went up.The fourth official was getting in the ear.Michael Oliver was being told he was not fit to referee by a large section of the home support.When Arsenal fans were spotted in the posh seats having been in the expensive tunnel club City fans shouted and pointed to try and get them ejected.Right at the end after City’s dramatic equaliser and the game restarted Haaland barged into Partey and every player on the pitch got involved even the two goalkeepers.At the final whistle the ref was harrangued.On the touchline Guardiola and Arteta hugged.Another added: “He cooked Arsenal.”A third supporter also commented: “He had to remind them.”Sunday’s draw maintains City’s status as league leaders, with the champions one point clear of Liverpool and Aston Villa.Meanwhile, Arsenal are fourth and also remain unbeaten after ending City’s 100 per cent start.The Gunners have now avoided defeat in their last four meetings as well, a run which stretches back to April 2023.Fans were stunned as they claimed Silva ‘literally called Arsenal a small club’Credit: EPAThe City midfielder compared Sunday’s clash to their past meetings with LiverpoolCredit: Getty More

JOE HART screamed in Ian Wright’s face as he celebrated Manchester City’s last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal yesterday.Hart’s former City team-mate Stones bundled the ball home in the 98th minute to earn a 2-2 draw at the Etihad.Joe Hart shouted while leaning over Ian WrightThe former Man City goalkeeper was buzzing when John Stones scoredStones’ goal kept City top of the leagueCredit: RexThe ex-City goalkeeper, 37, watched the game while on punditry duty alongside Michael Owen and former Gunner Wright.After the game, Stones came on to chat to the punditry crew.At this point, they decided to show the Yorkshireman Hart’s response to his leveller, with Stones admitting: “I’m excited now.”In studio footage from the moment City equalised, Hart could be seen standing up and leaning over Wright.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe shouted: “Waaaaaaaaaa! It was always gonna happen!”Wright, who had held his arms outstretched, merely dropped his hands in disappointment.The former striker, 60, then shook his head as Hart nudged him and said: “I told you!”Hart, who also played for Arsenal’s fierce rivals Tottenham, banged on the table in delight.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile even Owen, 44, appeared to fist pump when City scored – despite being a former Manchester United player.Stones then laughed as he saw Hart singing “Johnny, Johnny Stones” to the tune of Daddy Cool.Roy Keane tells Mikel Arteta ‘show a bit of class’ after Arsenal manager’s comments as he weighs in on red card decision He then added: “Love it Harty.”Seeing the clip, one fan wrote on social media: “Ian Wright looks distraught.”While a second commented: “Joe Hart’s reaction says it all! Stones’ equaliser was pure magic.”A third admitted: “I swear I was doing the exact same thing as Hart was and singing the same song.”And another added: “….always a blue. Thanks Joe.”Arsenal had led 2-1 after goals by Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel cancelled out Erling Haaland’s early opener.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Gunners then went down to 10 men on the stroke of half-time following Leandro Trossard’s second yellow card for kicking the ball away.Following the 2-2 draw City remain top of the table on 13 points, with Arsenal two back in fourth.Arsenal ratings vs Man CityTEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.Here’s how the players rated…DAVID RAYA – 9Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol. RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.GABRIEL – 9Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.WILLIAM SALIBA – 8Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.JURRIEN TIMBER – 8Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.DECLAN RICE – 7Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.BUKAYO SAKA – 6Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.  KAI HAVERTZ – 7Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.SUBSWHITE – 7(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.KIWIOR – 6(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.JESUS – 6(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutesLEWIS SKELLY – 6(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.Click here to read more on Arsenal. More