Odegaard goal gives Gunners lead after 105 seconds… as Guardiola shows ‘disgust’

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Martin Odegaard capitalised on haphazard defending to give Arsenal the lead after 105 seconds at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday – and former Gunners player Matt Upson said Cityzens boss Pep Guardiola had shown his feelings as his side fell behind.

City defender Manuel Akanji was dispossessed while dawdling on the ball just outside his own box as part of a move instigated by goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, with Guardiola’s first-choice number one, Ederson, missing from his matchday squad with a minor injury.

“Pep Guardiola is walking back to his seat with a look of disgust on his face,” Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He’ll be so disappointed with his team’s start.”

Kai Havertz surged inside the box and teed up Odegaard for a straightforward finish as Arsenal put themselves on course to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points, although the Reds will have a game in hand.

Arsenal vs Man City: Odegaard ‘primed’ for goal

John Stones was also involved in City’s blunder, making his first start in eight league matches as part of an injury-plagued season.

“It was a little bit loose from Ortega, who took a long time just dwelling on the ball, waiting to see what would happen,” observed former England centre-back Upson.

“There was not a lot of purpose or meaning or intensity. They try to play out through the back; it’s a sideways pass with not a lot of pace on it.

“Arsenal go in the full press, Odegaard leads the charge, they turn it over. I thought Havertz was going to shoot because he had a decent angle, but he sees Odegaard right on the penalty spot and squares it.

“It’s not a brilliant pass – a little bit scruffy – but Odegaard’s left foot is absolutely primed for that kind of finish. He just slides it into the net under a little bit of pressure from [Josko] Gvardiol. What a start for Arsenal.”

Arsenal vs Manchester City: Premier League table

City finished immediately above Arsenal as Premier League champions in 2023/24 but will be nine points behind Mikel Arteta’s team if they lose at Emirates Stadium.

Victory would move Arsenal three points above third-placed Nottingham Forest, who thrashed Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 at home on Saturday.

Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Wolves on January 25 extended their unbeaten league run to 13 games, while City’s win over Chelsea meant they had gone six matches without defeat in the top flight.




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