Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin closing on 2-game ban following Man City defeat

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin inched ever-closer to the suspension threshold this evening, after picking up a booking versus Manchester City.

Sterling decides it

Sunday’s most high-profile Premier League fixture took place at the Emirates a short time ago.

The clash saw Arsenal welcome City to north London, for a highly-anticipated showdown.

It was of course the visitors who headed into proceedings as overwhelming favourites to secure all 3 points, amid a historic stretch of 17-straight wins across all competitions.

As such, when Pep Guardiola’s men went on to take the lead inside the opening 120 seconds this evening, the Gunners faithful no doubt feared the worst.

A sumptuous ball in from the right on the part of Riyad Mahrez was met by Raheem Sterling, who broke free of the hosts’ backline to nod into the far corner in style:

🎙 | “It’s a brutal start from Manchester City!”

Raheem Sterling nods in the opener after less than 2 minutes – what a start! ⏰

📺 Watch on Sky Sports PL
📱 Follow #ARSMCI here: https://t.co/EbUsG6S1Mk
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 21, 2021

From here, however, Arsenal stood strong.

Mikel Arteta’s side kept their free-flowing opponents, for the most-part, at bay, to keep themselves in with a chance of nabbing a point throughout the 90 minutes.

In the end, though, a lack of cutting edge cost the hosts dear, as City ran out 1-0 winners, to keep the club’s record-breaking streak alive:

11 – Manchester City have equalled the record for consecutive away wins by an English top-flight team across all competitions (11), which was previously set by Pep Guardiola’s side between May and November 2017. Domination. pic.twitter.com/2X4sMDqL0O

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 21, 2021

Bellerin on the verge

For Arsenal, on the other hand, the season, as a whole, continues to look more like a write-off by the week, with the capital giants languishing in 10th in the Premier League table on the back of this evening’s result.

And, as outlined above, the action at the Emirates also saw one of Mikel Arteta’s stars inch ever closer to ruling himself out of contention for selection, for a couple of weeks at least.

The player in question? Hector Bellerin.

Spanish stopper Bellerin has endured a tumultuous campaign to date, often garnering heavy criticism on the part of the Arsenal faithful as a result.

His discipline, or lack thereof, has proven particularly concerning, with the former Barcelona man’s persistently rash challenges having seen him booked once again versus Man City.

Hector Bellerin has picked up the joint most yellow cards in the Premier League this season

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 21, 2021

This marks Bellerin’s 8th of the Premier League campaign, across just 22 appearances.

In turn, should the right-back go on to pick up just two more yellows over the coming 7 gameweeks of the English top-flight season, he will be punished with a 2-game ban.

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This article was edited by Josh Barker.

Source: 101greatgoals.com