Like the sun and the moon, death and taxes, the co-worker who says something cringe while you're just trying to eat your turkey sandwich in peace: Manchester City and Erling Haaland are inevitable.
Despite what looked like a mud-wrestling match with his equal on Arsenal, Gabriel, a man-match that included ripped shirts and greco-roman handfighting, Haaland secured the game-winning goal as City keep Arsenal's lead down to three points at the top of the table.
The match was back and forth, like a ping pong game with the bald guy in the Seventh Seal. Man City are now closer than butter on a biscuit to their sixth EPL title in nine years.
Manchester City vs. Arsenal Recap
4' - Manchester City 0, Arsenal 0
David Raya, despite being one of the best on-ball goalkeepers in the world, decides he doesn't remember how to use his feet, and nearly concedes a goal before the five-minute mark.
16' - Manchester City 1, Arsenal 0
Rayan Cherki scores a ridiculous goal, using the kind of fast footwork that makes people question whether we're living in simulation.
18' - Manchester City 0, Arsenal 0
Donnarumma says to David Raya: "there can be only one..." goalkeeper who concedes a goal based on sloppy footwork, and I'm your man.
Kai Havertz redirects the ball into the net and it's level.
Haaland 🆚 Gabriel ‼️
— Premier League (@eng-premierleague.bsky.social) Apr 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM
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Second half: Inevitable
Within minutes of the second half beginning, Arsenal look heavy-footed. Their usual crisp passes become actual crisps.
65' - Manchester City 2, Arsenal 1
Erling Haaland, after being essentially a non-factor through most of the game, becomes the only thing that people will remember about this game in ten years. He smites the Arsenal faithful with his left foot.
66' - Manchester City 2, Arsenal 1
el fin.
The game basically ended. Nothing else to see here.
2 City · 2 Arsenal
More chances · still lost
Less chances · won anyway
Rayan Cherki is Going to Be a Problem
Cherki, 22, might not even crack the France lineup this summer, but if he's given a chance, he's going to be an absolute menace in North America.
Cherki has four goals and 11 assists in his debut EPL season. He's also on a three-match heater, having racked up three assists and a goal in the last three games for MC.
He's the kind of player that's going to make defenders look like scarecrows for the next two decades.
Walking Wounded
In less than a month, Arsenal have been knocked out of the EFL Cup by City at Wembley, knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Southampton, and now lost at the Etihad. They've gone from six points clear to three.
The good news is the Gunners have Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The bad news is Atletico just knocked out Barcelona.
Dang Notes
- Jeremy Doku, for the speed and strength he has, does not put fear in the hearts of defenders quite yet. For the amount of times broadcasters talk of his impact, you would think he has 30 goal contributions. Don't get me wrong, Cristhian Mosquera looked whole-heartedly outmatched and yet still Doku didn't do much.
- Backwards passes to goalies continue to drain the blood from the faces of football fans since 1871.
- Arsenal had three shots on target the entire game. They had two shots that hit the woodwork.
So close to an @Arsenal equaliser as Gabriel strikes the post 😳 It's the second time they've hit the woodwork this afternoon as Eberechi Eze saw his effort bounce back off the upright when the score was 1-1
— Premier League (@eng-premierleague.bsky.social) Apr 19, 2026 at 12:05 PM
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Manchester City Remaining Premier League Fixtures
- Wed, Apr 22, 2026 — Burnley vs. Manchester City — 3:00 p.m. ET
- Sat, Apr 25, 2026 — Manchester City vs. Southampton — 12:15 p.m. ET
- Mon, May 4, 2026 — Everton vs. Manchester City — 3:00 p.m. ET
- Sat, May 9, 2026 — Manchester City vs. Brentford — 12:30 p.m. ET
- Sun, May 17, 2026 — AFC Bournemouth vs. Manchester City — 10:00 a.m. ET
- Sun, May 24, 2026 — Manchester City vs. Aston Villa — 11:00 a.m. ET
Arsenal Remaining Premier League Fixtures
- Sat, Apr 25, 2026 — Arsenal vs. Newcastle United — 12:30 p.m. ET
- Sat, May 2, 2026 — Arsenal vs. Fulham — 12:30 p.m. ET
- Sun, May 10, 2026 — West Ham vs. Arsenal — 11:30 a.m. ET
- Sun, May 17, 2026 — Arsenal vs. Burnley — 10:00 a.m. ET
- Sun, May 24, 2026 — Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal — 11:00 a.m. ET