Gary Lineker was left stunned as two players set unwanted Premier League records in Arsenal’s thrilling draw with Manchester City.
Title rivals Man City and Arsenal played out an entertaining and controversial 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Man City made a quick start to the fixture, taking the lead inside ten minutes thanks to Erling Haaland, who raced through on goal and beat David Raya to reach three figures for the Premier League champions.
Arsenal equalised in controversial circumstances through summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, who curled a superb strike past City goalkeeper Ederson, before Gabriel rose well from a corner to head the visitors in front.
Despite leading at the interval, Arsenal fans sensed a long and painful second half was looming after Leandro Trossard was sent off just before the interval for delaying the restart, an offence that led to a second yellow card.
Manchester City piled on the pressure after the break but looked set to fail in their quest for an equaliser until John Stones bundled home in dramatic fashion with virtually the last kick of the game.
Lineker described the Etihad stalemate as ‘fascinating’ and was keen to highlight an ‘amazing’ stat to his podcast colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
‘It was a strange game but it was fascinating,’ ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast.
‘There were all sorts of aspects to it, with Man City starting really well and then Arsenal coming back. Then we had the controversy and the red and then Arsenal sitting really deep in the second half.
‘Do you know the most amazing stat from this game? I watched quite a bit of Sky Sports’ coverage after the game but had to go to get this podcast ready so wasn’t sure if it was mentioned.
‘But Kai Havertz didn’t complete one pass in 90 minutes, which hasn’t happened in seven years. That’s an official stat… not one pass! You might give it away a few times but… wow!
‘Not only did Kai Havertz not complete a pass in the game, neither did [Jurrien] Timber. What about that? In 90 minutes!
‘I know Man City are good and Arsenal were down to ten men so just sat off but…’
Responding to the revelation from Lineker, a surprised former Manchester City defender Richards said: ‘They didn’t complete one pass?’
The trio could be heard giggling about the incredible stat and Shearer, the all-time record goalscorer in the Premier League, simply said: ‘Wow.’
As Lineker noted, neither Havertz or Timber completed a single pass in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, becoming the first outfield players on record to set the unwanted record.
Despite the bizarre stat, Arsenal will be more than content with their afternoon’s work in Manchester, particularly after the blow of going down to ten men.
‘I am so proud of the team,’ Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said. ‘We played the game in a difficult context, playing against the best team in the world.
‘Obviously, it is already a miracle that we had played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men [without conceding]. It is unbelievable what we have done.’
Asked for his take on Trossard’s dismissal, Arteta added: ‘I prefer not to make any comment about that.
‘It is obvious what happened when they made that decision, but it doesn’t deserve my comment. I don’t want to ruin anything else off the pitch.’
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