As the 2016/17 Champions League edition reached its fourth round of group games, so began another chapter in the difficult European history of two of England’s finest clubs: Arsenal and Manchester City.
Arsenal are well known for struggling in November, but a game against Ludogorets Razgrad was surely a nice way to warm into it?
Ludogorets 2-0 Arsenal
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 1, 2016
Arsenal’s favourite month begins. pic.twitter.com/OYkB3dwCS4
Unfortunately not.
Arsenal + November = pic.twitter.com/S48xqX7U8n
— BigSport (@BigSportGB) November 1, 2016
Arsenal’s social media team weren’t giving up just yet however – it’s not over until the fat lady tweets.
...make that two - Keseru taps in at the near post
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 1, 2016
COME ON @ARSENAL!#LUDvAFC 2-0 (16)
And it appears Granit Xhaka got the notification.
GRANIT XHAKA THE COMEBACK IS ON
— The Arsene View (@TheArseneView) November 1, 2016
Meanwhile, over at the Etihad just as Arsenal were correcting their course, Manchester City found themselves on a familiar path as Lionel Messi made it 1-0 in sublime fashion.
On the goal replays, you can actually see the Man City players agreeing with each other not to bother marking that Messi fella.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 1, 2016
6 - Lionel Messi has scored more goals against Manchester City than any other player in #UCL. Nightmare.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 1, 2016
But following in Arsenal’s footsteps, Pep Guardiola’s side pinched one back before the break through some fine work from Raheem Sterling, finished off by Ilkay Gundogan.
GOAL! Man City equalise! Gundogan with the goal!!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 1, 2016
Some things don't quite come across on tv - like how clever Gundogan is. Always in right place to arrive/cover/receive. KDB ok tonight too.
— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) November 1, 2016
And a minute or so later, Oliver Giroud levelled things up for Arsenal with his noggin.
GET IN THERE, OLI!#LUDvAFC 2-2 (42) pic.twitter.com/m6d9cUa4ih
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 1, 2016
28’—Ludogorets 2-0 Arsenal
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 1, 2016
43’—Ludogorets 2-2 Arsenal
Situation normal. pic.twitter.com/xGiKvox8Sz
So as the second half began, could Manchester City continue their good work? You betcha. Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick was of far too high a quality to stay out of the net.
This game is proving again that Kevin De Bruyne is City's most important player. Completely different team with/without his power.
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) November 1, 2016
Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick was incredible. 👏 pic.twitter.com/kEm5Y9h1L7
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) November 1, 2016
And after a quite sensational 20 minute period in which both sides could have scored numerous times, it was the two-time Premier League champions who finished the game off.
Barcelona complaining that Aguero handled. Gundogan drilled ball in. City attacking wonderfully. 3-1. Great game.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) November 1, 2016
GOAL! Gundogan slots home & City totally deserve this lead. They've been rampant. First win in 6 attempts v Barca coming up. #MCFC 3-1 #FCB
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 1, 2016
3 - An English side has scored 3+ goals in a CL group stage game against Barca for the 1st time since 98/99 (v Man United). Historic
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2016
All in all, it was pretty impressive stuff.
Was that ... the best Manchester City have *ever* played? (second half at least...)
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) November 1, 2016
Meanwhile in Bulgaria, Arsenal had been struggling to complete their own comeback. But with just minutes left on the clock, man of the moment Mesut Ozil turned up right on time to score a sensational goal and send Arsenal through to the last 16.
Love that from Ozil... Fancies scoring a few goals but loves assisting so much he just assists himself 👌 #COYG #ludvafc
— Ed Jones (@Ed_Jonesafc) November 1, 2016
We've got Ozil @MesutOzil1088 #afc #arsenal #uefachampionsleague pic.twitter.com/D6wwYxdJ5n
— Stuart MacFarlane (@Stuart_PhotoAFC) November 1, 2016
2 - Arsenal have come from two goals down to win for the first time in the CL since September 2009 (v Standard Liege). Comeback.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2016
All in all, not a bad night for the Premier League’s representatives.
Man City win from a goal down against Barca, Arsenal win from two goals down away from home - decent stuff from the two.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 1, 2016
Can Tottenham and Leicester make it four wins from four tomorrow?
