Manchester City vs Arsenal, English Premier League 2025/26 Highlights: City goes three points closer to Arsenal with a 2-1 win to send panic across London

A banner from City fans says, 'Panic on the streets of London,' and Arteta will be feeling that panic. 

Manchester City is alive in the league.

They win the much-needed three points and are only three points away from Arsenal. Goals from Cherki and Haaland take them closer to the top. 

If they win in their next match, they will replace Arsenal at the top of the table. Not to forget, the City has played one game less than Arsenal. 

We are City. ✊

🩵 2-1 🔴 @okx pic.twitter.com/N7ersCeBS2

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2026

In: Ake 

Out: Semenyo

That was the chance. 

What a ball from Trossard and Guehi was beaten. Havertz just had to hit the back of the net, but it was not to be.

It went over the goal.

Arsenal need something special, but City has been disciplined with Silva and O’Reilly winning the duels. 

Nunes and Hincapie go shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the box. No foul given. Looked fair, though. 

Much to the disbelief of many City fans, seven minutes have been added. 

In: Savinho, Nico

Out: Doku, Rodri

Rodri is on the ground, holding is groin. 

Erling Haaland has scored six goals in eight Premier League games against Arsenal - only Sergio Aguero (8 in 15 games) and Kevin De Bruyne (8 in 16 games) have netted more in Premier League matches between Arsenal and Manchester City (for both teams).

In: Gyokeres

Out: Zubimendi

In: Foden

Out: Cherki

Yellow card for Pep Guardiola for his protest.

Gabriel fouls Haaland, and the big City striker goes at him. City and Arsenal players went at each other as well. 

Gabriel, did went for a headbutt, but it is only a yellow for both Gabriel and Haaland. 

City are looking for a third now and not letting the momentum go away. 

Risky from City as Trossard found Havertz with a lobbed ball. Silva came running from behind, won the ball, and celebrated like a goal.

Not to forget, Silva will leave City at the end of the season. 

Nico did great to hold on to the ball on the byline and win a corner. 

In: White, Trossard

Out: Eze, Mosquera

From the free-kick, Saliba's free header hit Nico's back and hit the post. 

Long corner from Cherki and Doku, who were waiting on the left, had the chance to shoot with his left foot.

However, he could not connect the shot properly. 

City are at it now as Saliba's deflection won them back-to-back corners

Gabriel pulls Haaland's shirt, and he has to change his shirt now. Fans chant, 'Haaland, Haaland'

The big man does it again. Is this the moment City comes back alive in the league?

He scores the biggest goal of the season. 

A throw from Donnarumma and Nico made the run down the middle and found Doku on the left. 

Doku played it back to Nico, whose cross found Haaland at the far post. Haaland went for a big low volley to beat Raya and give City the lead. 

Arsenal has the momentum now as Eze's attempt from the edge of the box hit the inside of the post and nearly went in. 

Meantime, Guehi received a yellow card for a foul in between the chances. 

That could have been the game and title for Arsenal.

Arsenal won the ball back in the middle, and Martinelli found Odegard, who found Havertz on the left inside the box.

Donnarumma came running in and made himself big to make the save.

Back at it for the second half ▶️

COME ON, CITY!!!!! ✊

Follow live 🔗 https://t.co/4bGjCZ8Pp7 pic.twitter.com/qlI2rNWdtR

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2026

Is that a foul? 

Khusanov did well to get around Havertz, who was nearly in a one-on-one position. Martin Zubimendi with the cross from the right. 

Khusanov won the ball back from Eze, and Doku had the best chance of the half to shoot past Raya. His attempt went straight to Raya. 

A tad powerful touch gave away the chance for Semenyo as he made a great run down the pitch and wanted to go one-on-one against Raya. 

Corner from Silva and Raya could just punch the ball away towards Khusanov, whose shot was blocked. The rebound ball fell in the right place for Haaland to go for a shot from close range. However, his attempt hit the post and went for a goalkick. 

Silva is fouled by Rice as City wins a free-kick

City starts the second half with only a win on their mind. 

In: Martinelli

Out: Madueke

Welcome back as we can see Arsenal preparing a change.

It looked like a season finale as we had everything in the first half - nervousness, attacks, defences, mistakes and goals. 

Cherki, with a solo goal, gave City the lead, but Havertz equalised after a mistake from Donnarumma. It will be a battle of brains and speed in the second half. 

City needs a win, a draw would do for Arsenal, though, for the time being. But, for sure, both teams will go for the win. 

See you after the break. 

Silva's curling corner nearly went in as Madueke headed the ball out of the line. Although it would not have counted as O’Reilly fouled Raya during the corner. 

Stunning from Hincapie.

Rodri with the through ball to found Cherki, who dribbled his away into the box and then flicked it wide for Semenyo to go for a cross.

Semenyo's attempt was blocked by a sliding Hincapie

Madueke and Mosquera linked up well on the right before Mosquera's cross found Havertz inside the box. Khusanov did well to stick with Havertz as the German striker could not hit his volley perfectly.

O’Reilly with the movement again and Rodri looked for Haaland at a dangerous position. But, it is Rice again, who made the interception. 

Yellow card for Mosquera for a foul on Doku.

With 10 goals and 14 assists, Rayan Cherki has become the first player to reach 10+ goals and 10+ assists for Premier League clubs in all competitions this season.

Post the corner, Khusanov found Guehi with the cross. But Guehi's header went straight to Raya. 

O’Reilly, with the vision again, found Haaland at the edge of the box. Halaand flicked the ball for Silva to shoot, but it was intercepted by Rice.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has made two errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season (29 appearances), with that his first since November 2025 v Bournemouth.

Nico O’Reilly gets the better of Madueke and Havertz on the byline and then nutmegged Madueke to kepp the ball to City and earn an applause from the fans.

City gave the ball away in the halfway mark, and that allowed Madueke to make a run on the right and enter the box. 

His attempted cross was blocked by Guehi for a goalkick. 

Great run and vision from O’Reilly as he found Doku wide on the left. Doku's cutback found Haaland, who could not time his shot with perfection.

Donnarumma number one https://t.co/Er5igpJqjn

— Marco (@AlMazza64VG) April 19, 2026

Huge chance for City as Rodri found Haaland on the overlap. Haaland's cross for Semenyo was a tad long, otherwise it could have been a straight forward chance to take the lead again. 

Horrific from Donnarumma. 

Nunes with the throw towards the goalkeeper, and the big Italian was slow to respond as Havertz made a quick run to meet the ball and deflect it inside the goal. 

Drama at Etihad. All squared up. 

A first in 15 Premier League games, and it was worth the wait!

Cherki gives Manchester City the lead. 

He picked up the ball a yard away from the box and then quickly dribbled through three defenders before finding the back of the net with a righ-footed shot.

City take the lead. 

Mosquera was in a great position to shoot as Madueke found him at the edge of the box.

But, Guehi intercepted at the right time.

Rice and Odegaard linked up to find Havertz on the edge of the box on the left, whose left-footed attempt was blocked by Nunes. Another corner for Arsenal. 

After a long buildup, Semenyo wanted to go for a long, curling cross from the right. However, it was too long and strong for someone to make a run. 

We already know Arsenal have scored 16 goals from set pieces this season.

Rodri could not handle the backheader in the first corner, while Mosquera's header from the second corner went over the goal.

Another chance for City as O'Reilly's cutback met Haaland, and his shot was blocked. Cherki's shot touched Gabriel's hands and hit the woodwork. 

No penalty given, though. 

What! 

Horrible mistake from David Raya! Unnecessary from the goalkeeper, and Haaland nearly scored from close range.

Arsenal is sitting deep, with City enjoying most of possession so far. 

Arsenal start the proceedings at Etihad. 

In this together.

🤝 @LOrealGroupe pic.twitter.com/RY1j4qWyzN

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 19, 2026

Kick-off's next 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7r0vWdoW53

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2026

Let’s get down to business 💼

🤝 @ComAve_Official pic.twitter.com/DAc54fBK61

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 19, 2026

Focused. 👊

🤝 #AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/xHyGL56HnY

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2026

ARSENAL: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Odegaard, Madueke, Havertz.

Subs: Kepa, White, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodrigo, Bernardo (C) Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.

Away day mode 🔛 pic.twitter.com/P8sN0kifW7

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 19, 2026

Home 🏡 pic.twitter.com/J43po9SCnp

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2026

"We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging and with the possibility to win and the opportunity to win on Sunday, arguably against the best team and the best manager that this league has ever seen. That's a huge privilege, and we cannot wait to play the game," Arteta told the media.

"If we lose, it is over. But the other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn't win against Bournemouth, we still have games to play. Six games is a lot, given our calendar especially," Pep told the media on the eve of the match.

Ruben Dias will continue to be sidelined for this fixture. However, despite being subbed off in the second half due to a muscle injury, youngster Nico O’Reilly will be available for Manchester City.

Josko Gvardiol and John Stones will remain out of action due to long term injuries. 

Noni Madueke will have to go through a fitness test to be in the XI. Star winger Bukayo Saka is out, and so is Mikel Merino. Riccardo Calafoiri, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber are close to returning but will miss this match. 

Football fans in India can watch the match on Star Sports TV channels. Meantime they match will be LIVE-streamed on the JioStar app and website. Fans can watch the match there with a subscription. 

Match: Manchester City vs Arsenal, English Premier League 2025/26, Matchweek 33

Date: 19 April, 2026

Time: 9 pm IST

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester