David Hytner at the Emirates Stadium

‘It’s a red card today. It’s a red card in Manchester’ Arsenal return to top of table by beating Newcastle Mikel Arteta has claimed that everything would be different for his Arsenal team in the Premier League title race if Manchester City had been reduced to 10 men in last Sunday’s pivotal game at the Eithad Stadium. The Arsenal manager insisted that the City defender, Abdukodir Khusanov, should have been sent off for a last-man foul on Kai Havertz in the 53rd minute with the score at 1-1. City went on to win 2-1 and Arteta said nothing after the game about an incident that did not generate much controversy, the consensus being Khusanov had defended his position fairly.

It has come down to a straight shootout, similar to five rounds of penalties, the equation plain yet loaded with complications. Score or miss. With Manchester City otherwise engaged in an FA Cup semi-final, it was Arsenal who took first. For them, the metaphorical walk to the spot, the moment of truth, began in the aftermath of last Sunday’s defeat at City. It was long and treacherous, the self-doubt gnawing away, the outside noise at fever pitch. Score or miss. With a draw very much into the latter category. Arsenal scored.