A spicy start to Manchester City's massive home match with Arsenal saw the hosts go in front through a sensational Rayan Cherki moment only to give level terms right back to their Etihad Stadium visitors.

Man City's dribbling wizard managed to beat not one but two Premier League Player of the Season contenders and a third if you're of the ilk that David Raya should be in the discussion.

Cherki, who had already seen an attempt dink off the inside of the post, got the ball in the 18 and cut left to beat Gabriel Magalhaes and slithered right back onto his path, avoiding Declan Rice to roll the ball to the right of Raya for a 1-0 lead.

But it was 1-1 soon, as a Man City throw-in to Gianluigi Donnarumma saw their keeper stall under pressure from Kai Havertz and hit an attempted clearance off the lunging German's foot and over the goal line.

COME ON, CITY. ️ Rayan Cherki makes an EARLY statement in a crucial match for the title race. pic.twitter.com/o8xcBjsNd7

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 19, 2026