From cheering a late equaliser to conceding one only a few hours later, Sunday was not a day for Arsenal and Manchester City fans of a nervous disposition. The clubs’ men’s and women’s teams faced each other and neither match disappointed, with Arsenal’s men cementing their status as serious title contenders and the women kicking off their season eager to show their similar ambitions are justified.
It was a double dose of stress for those matchgoing supporters who follow the men’s and women’s teams, particularly since both games featured late equalisers (one for City’s men, one for Arsenal’s women). Arsenal Women went 1-0 up early on, only to need a late equaliser to make it 2-2, while Mikel Arteta’s men experienced the exact opposite — conceding a stoppage-time equaliser after coming from behind to lead 2-1.
“It’s always stressful watching Arsenal!” Yui, a supporter who travelled 12 hours on bus, coach and train from Scotland to watch the women’s game at the Emirates and the men’s game at local Arsenal pub The Tollington, tells The Athletic.
“But when I watch Arsenal, at the end I just feel happiness. Even if we lose or draw, I feel like I love Arsenal more for some reason. Today, Beth (Mead) equalised and that was the happiest moment and then…
