Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber Set Embarrassing Premier League Record in Man City Draw
Arsenal’s valiant attempt to topple Manchester City on Sunday ended in dramatic disappointment as a late John Stones equalizer deep into stoppage time secured a 2-2 draw for the reigning Premier League champions. However, the draw not only stung because of the lost two points but also for an unusual record set by two Arsenal players, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, who became the first outfield players to play 89 minutes in a Premier League match without completing a single pass.
The Gunners started strong and found themselves in a commanding position before halftime, scoring twice in quick succession. Riccardo Calafiori netted the opener, and Gabriel’s towering header doubled their lead shortly after. The Emirates was buzzing with anticipation, sensing a significant victory over the dominant City. Yet, Arsenal’s momentum shifted drastically after Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card for time-wasting early in the second half, reducing Mikel Arteta’s men to ten.
City seized the opportunity to press their numerical advantage, and Arsenal was forced into a defensive shell for much of the second half. Havertz and Timber, who had contributed admirably to their team’s defensive efforts, could hardly get a foot on the ball. It was later revealed by Opta’s post-match data that neither player completed a single pass—an unwanted Premier League record. Timber attempted six passes, all misplaced, while Havertz fared slightly worse, failing to complete any of his five attempts.
Despite the unusual statistic, Arsenal’s defensive display drew praise. Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta was quick to defend his players. “We know how difficult it is already against this team here, that’s the reason why they haven’t lost for over a year,” Arteta explained, referring to Manchester City’s dominance at the Etihad. “We struggled in the first 10 to 15 minutes to control certain spaces and they scored the goal, but we reacted incredibly well.”
Arteta also commented on Trossard’s red card, which left the Gunners shorthanded for over 50 minutes. However, instead of condemning the Belgian, he praised the resilience of his side. “We showed unbelievable character and personality, and then we had the game where we wanted it. The team showed again that it’s ready in any context, that it’s strong, with people cramping against 10 men. For 56 minutes to do what we’ve done is remarkable, and it’s a shame that at the end we haven’t managed to win the game.”
City eventually found their breakthrough as the relentless pressure culminated in John Stones scoring in the 98th minute to level the game. Arsenal’s hearts were broken, but the determination shown in the face of adversity spoke volumes about the character of this team, a quality Arteta highlighted as a sign of progress.
Despite their hard-fought effort, Arsenal remains two points behind Manchester City in the table, and Havertz and Timber’s odd statistical feat adds a frustrating layer to an already heart-wrenching draw.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber Set Embarrassing Premier League Record in Man City Draw