hello there, and welcome to sportsday. they came so close — but ultimately — mistakes cost arsenal at the emirates today against the premier league leaders manchester city. the gunners gave away a penalty, and had a man sent off in the early match — as city scored a stoppage time winner, to pull further clear at the top. patrick geary reports. early kick—off, new year's day — tired arsenal and manchester city fans must hope their luck improves in 2022. referees, of course, can't afford to be bleary eyed, for soon, stuart attwell had a decision to make. no arsenal penalty, he said. and on reflection, var confirmed. not without question. arsenal didn't dwell on that, though. no time to, no need to. bukayo saka extended the new year's celebrations. only the manager missed out — he's in covid isolation. but in the second half came the hitch. a handful of bernardo silva's shirt, enough for a manchester city penalty and thanks to riyad mahrez, an equaliser, too. now the game hurtled