“Arsenal will win the league” - Piers Morgan makes emphatic claim after Gunners’ late 2-2 draw with Manchester City
TV personality Piers Morgan made a bold claim on Arsenal after the Gunners played a 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday, September 22. Morgan claimed that the north London club would win the Premier League after they put up a resounding performance against the defending champions.
Mikel Arteta’s side were arguably unlucky to leave the Etihad Stadium with one point. Erling Haaland put the host ahead as early as the ninth minute with a cool finish off a Savinho assist. Riccardo Calafiori restored parity for the Gunners with a sublime strike in the 22nd minute. Gabriel Magalhaes then put the visitors ahead from a Bukayo Saka corner in the first-half stoppage time.
However, the clash turned on its head when Leandro Trossard was sent off just an additional minute before halftime. The Belgian ace was shown a second yellow for kicking the ball after the referee’s whistle for a foul on Bernando Silva.
The sending-off meant the Gunners played the entire second half with 10 men. Arsenal were seconds away from their first win at the Etihad since 2015. However, a late John Stones’ goal in additional time (90+8) meant the spoils were shared in the clash.
Piers Morgan was impressed with Arsenal's performance on the day and heaped praise on the side. He also took a dig at referee Michael Oliver for Trossard’s sending-off, writing on X:
“Arsenal were the moral winners. Magnificent performance against 12-man City whose MoM was Michael Oliver.”
Morgan then went ahead to make an emphatic claim on the Gunners, saying that they will win the league on the back of their resolute display against City.
“Arsenal will win the League.. you couldn’t even beat us when we only had 10 men for the whole second half.”
With this result, the Gunners moved to fourth place in the league table, two points below leaders Manchester City.
Peter Schmeichel slams referee Michael Oliver’s decision making in Man City vs Arsenal clash
Referee Michael Oliver has come under fire from Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel for sending off Leandro Trossard against Manchester City. The Belgium international was shown a second yellow card in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with City at the Etihad.
Schmeichel wasn't happy with the referee’s decision to send Trossard off. He claimed the sending-off was soft, and that the referee wanted to get himself in the spotlight.
"This is the biggest game in the Premier League so far! Soft yellow cards! Why is Michael Oliver trying to ruin it? It's a big game, emotions are flying high — understand what you are dealing with here, but no — Michael Oliver wants himself in the spotlight!" Schmeichel said (via afcstuff on X).
Trossard’s absence saw Arteta’s side play with 10 men for the whole second period. Although they defended resolutely their defence was finally breached in the final seconds of the clash, denying the Gunners a big statement victory.