Riccardo Calafiori has now truly announced his arrival at Arsenal in style.
Handed his first Arsenal start by Mikel Arteta in this huge Premier League fixture with Manchester City, Riccardo Calafiori produced a spectacular equaliser for the Gunners.
After Arsenal were awarded a free kick in the middle of the park, the ball was played quickly out to Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian drove forward, towards the hosts’ penalty area, before cutting the ball back to Calafiori. The Italian defender took on an effort from range, and his curling strike arced out of Ederson’s reach before nestling in the top corner, cancelling out Erling Haaland’s opener.
After Calafiori picked up an injury whilst on international duty earlier this season, his integration into the starting XI had been delayed somewhat, but he struck a blow against the champions today that was worth waiting for.
However, many of a Manchester City persuasion will feel that the goal ought to have been ruled out.
Why Manchester City had complaints about Riccardo Calafiori’s Arsenal goal
As soon as Calafiori’s shot found the back of the net, a number of Manchester City players turned to referee Michael Oliver in complaint.
As former Manchester United defender Gary Neville explained on the Sky Sports (22/09/2024, 16:55) commentary of the match: “Turns out City are annoyed because the free kick was taken ten yards further away from where the foul was.”
On top of that, Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker was called over for a conversation by Oliver in the middle of the park, and was not given chance to return to his position before Arsenal took the set-piece, which created space for Martinelli to exploit.
As the goal was awarded, Pep Guardiola was spotted kicking out and venting in frustration in front of his own bench.
As reported by Simon Stone for BBC Sport: “Pep Guardiola was raging at that Arsenal goal. He karate kicked his own seat in anger at Manchester City being caught out by that quick free-kick. He was yelling at fourth official Andy Madley as the Gunners players celebrated close by.”
Mikel Arteta will feel Arsenal deserved good fortune
Manchester City’s frustrations with this goal were understandable, but Arteta will feel that his side were owed a decision in their favour after some controversial calls have gone against the Gunners in recent weeks.
Gary Lineker felt Declan Rice was harshly punished when he was sent off against Brighton recently.
On top of that, Arsenal fans will have felt aggrieved by William Saliba’s booking against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.
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