Manchester City came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in their first Premier League game of the New Year 2022.

The Gunners were without manager Mikel Arteta who had to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 before the new year.

Arsenal didn’t appear affected by the absence of Arteta in the dugout as they piled pressure on the league leader.

Bukayo Saka’s fine finish (31′) rounded off a superb build-up to give The Gunners a 1-0 deserved lead into the first half.

City were awarded a controversial penalty in the second half after Granit Xhaka brought down Bernardo Silva in The Gunners’ half.

The decision went City’s way after referee Stuart Attwell looked at the pitchside monitor, allowing Riyad Mahrez to cancel Saka’s opener in the 57th minute.

Arsenal however self-destructed moments later when defender Gabriel was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in three minutes.

The Brazilian received his first yellow card for dissent after Attwell awarded a penalty to City.

Arsenal’s afternoon went from bad to worse when Gabriel received a second yellow card for a cynical challenge on Gabriel Jesus who was chasing a long pass from keeper Ederson.

OptaJoe stats revealed that “Arsenal have become the first side in Premier League history to receive 100 red cards, with the Gunners having 11 players sent off under Arteta in the competition, also more than any other side since his first game in charge.”

Arsenal would have taken the lead in between Gabriel’s two yellow cards but for Gabriel Martinelli who missed an open goal sitter after Nathan Ake saved Aymeric Laporte from putting the ball into his own net with a misjudged header.

It looked as though both sides would settle for a point apiece until Rodri found the back of the net in stoppage time to give City a 2-1 victory at the Emirates.

Arsenal who came into the new year fourth on the suffered their first defeat of the new year despite a terrific first-half performance.

The Gunners however remain fourth on the table with four points ahead of West Ham who are fifth.

City have now won their 11th consecutive match in the league.