Bukayo Saka provided an assist as Arsenal draw 2-2 with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
The 23-year-old captained the Gunners in the game but they fell behind to a fine Erling Haaland finish in the ninth minute.
The North London outfit were able to equalise through Riccardo Calafiori who was making his first Arsenal start before Saka played a corner kick that met the head of Gabriel in added time of first half.
It was the English winger of Nigerian heritage’s fifth assist in his fifth league game of the season, joining Arsenal’s all-time top scorer Thierry Henry as the only Arsenal player to have assisted in each of the Gunners’ opening five league games of the season, a feat the legendary Frenchman achieved during the 2004-05 season.
Only two players have assisted in the opening five games of a Premier League season for Arsenal:
◉ Thierry Henry (2004/05)
◉ Bukayo Saka (2024/25)Titi’s record has finally been equalled. 👀 pic.twitter.com/t6hCexcDei
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 22, 2024
The first half against Man City ended on a sour note for Arsenal as Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card before the half time whistle.
This meant a player had to be sacrificed in the second half for defensive reinforcement and Saka was the player to go off at the start of the half for Ben White.
Arsenal held on their narrow 2-1 lead until the 98th minute when substitute John Stones popped up with the equaliser for City to maintain their unbeaten run in 2024.
It is the first time the Citizens dropped points this season in the Premier League but are still top of the table with 13 points.
Arsenal meanwhile have dropped points for the second time after a 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion, a game that ironically saw them finish with 10 men as well.
They are two points behind City in fourth place.
