The ‘monster striker’ was human. Manchester City striker Elling Holland was unable to prevent his side’s defeat as he failed to attempt a single shot on target.
City conceded a late goal to Gabriel Martinelli in the eighth round of the 2023/24 Premier League on Monday (Sept. 9) at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, and lost 1-0 to Arsenal.
It was the first meeting in the league between the two sides that were in contention for the Premier League title last season, but it was the home side that had the last laugh.
After a tense 0-0 stalemate, Brazilian striker Martinelli gave the Gunners a valuable lead in the 40th minute. First, a long pass from Thomas Partey found Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was rushing into the box, and Tomiyasu headed the ball to Kai Havertz at the near post.
Surrounded by City defenders, Habertz passed to Martinelli just outside the box rather than take a shot himself. Martinelli received the pass and immediately fired a right-footed curling shot that deflected off City defender Nathan Ake and into the back of the net.
City goalkeeper Ederson threw himself in to block Martinelli’s shot, but it was impossible to stop it as it deflected and went in an unexpected direction.
Arsenal were able to hold on to their late lead, and Martinelli’s goal proved to be the game-winner as the Gunners won 1-0. Arsenal, who had lost 12 straight league games to City prior to the match, snapped a long losing streak and took a point from City for the first time in nearly six years.
With the win, Arsenal moved into second place with 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws). City, on the other hand, remained on 18 points (6W2L) and dropped to third place in the league.
City’s defeat shocked soccer fans, partly because they had been so dominant against Arsenal, but mostly because it was their second straight loss in the league.
City lost 1-2 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the seventh round of the league on March 30, conceding a late goal to South Korean striker Hwang Hee-chan. The loss to Wolverhampton not only halted City’s six-match unbeaten streak since the start of the season, but also handed them their first defeat of the season. 스포츠토토
Of course, the season is long, so a loss is not out of the ordinary, but it’s unusual for City to lose two consecutive league games in a row after losing to Wolverhampton and then to Arsenal. It’s the first time since December 2018 that Pep Guardiola’s side have lost back-to-back league games.
It’s a shocking result for the Premier League’s top club to lose back-to-back league games for the first time in almost five years, and the absence of ‘monster striker’ Holland has had a lot to do with it.
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