Gianluigi Donnarumma made a costly mistake that allowed Arsenal to equalise in their Premier League clash against Manchester City, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself with a crucial save before Erling Haaland secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
Donnarumma, who was at fault for Arsenal's goal, produced a vital one-on-one stop from Kai Havertz in the second half, according to multiple reports. He also apologised to home fans by raising his arm before the second half, as reported by other sources.
This is absolutely criminal. To go back to your goalkeeper after going 1-0 up. Just go long. That's all you need to do. Regroup. Set up again. For Donnarumma, with the experience of winning the Champions League with PSG, people were talking about him not being great on the ball. That's what people were talking about. If you are not sure, get rid.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised his players' reaction to Donnarumma's error. "When I see teams that concede a goal and everyone is complaining, I don't like that," Guardiola said, according to major media. "But I liked the reaction of his mates, they were there to help him."
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards described Donnarumma's error as 'criminal'. "This is absolutely criminal. To go back to your goalkeeper after going 1-0 up. Just go long. That's all you need to do. Regroup. Set up again," Richards said. "For Donnarumma, with the experience of winning the Champions League with PSG, people were talking about him not being great on the ball. That's what people were talking about. If you are not sure, get rid."
Donnarumma is really, really good in the tempo for the short passes. He doesn’t have the long pass like Ederson, but no other keeper has that pass like Ederson. Gigio is really good with the composure, the first control, taking decisions to go short. He’s much, much better than the people think.
Donnarumma has kept 12 clean sheets this season, fewer than Arsenal's David Raya (15), according to major media. The Italian goalkeeper was not on Manchester City's radar until it became clear he was surplus to requirements at Paris Saint-Germain, major media reported.
Guardiola also defended Donnarumma's passing ability. "Donnarumma is really, really good in the tempo for the short passes. He doesn't have the long pass like Ederson, but no other keeper has that pass like Ederson. Gigio is really good with the composure, the first control, taking decisions to go short. He's much, much better than the people think," Guardiola said, according to major media.
[Abdukodir Khusanov] has to block better and the aggression of Havertz. But I liked the reaction of his mates, they were there to help him. When I see teams [that] concede a goal and everyone is complaining, I don't like that.
After the match, Donnarumma jumped into the crowd at full-time to celebrate Manchester City's win, major media reported.
It is criminal. To play back to your goalkeeper after just having gone 1-0 up... just play long. That's all you need to do. Regroup and get into formation again. As for Donnarumma - with the experience of winning the Champions League with PSG - some were talking about him not being good with the ball. That's what people were talking about. If you weren't sure, you can be now.