The drama began when Rayan Cherki’s stunning individual effort put the hosts in front, only for Donnarumma to gift Arsenal a leveller just two minutes later. While attempting to play a pass across his own penalty area, the goalkeeper hesitated, allowing Kai Havertz to close him down. The German forward blocked the attempted clearance, watched the ball deflect into the net, and silenced the Etihad. However, Donnarumma refused to let the mistake define his afternoon, later producing a crucial save to deny Havertz a second goal in a huge victory for the defending champions.
Erling Haaland eventually secured the points with a clinical finish on 65 minutes, ensuring Donnarumma’s earlier blunder would not cost City in the standings. Pep Guardiola was quick to defend his keeper after the match, stating: "[Abdukodir Khusanov] has to block better and the aggression of Havertz [made a difference]. But I liked the reaction of his mates, they were there to help him. When I see teams when they concede a goal and everyone is complaining, I don't like that."