With Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, Manchester City has an elite shot-stopper. Also, City has a keeper who is experienced and has shown time and time again throughout his career that he can respond strongly to setbacks. This trait, coupled with his shot-stopping ability, has seen Gianluigi Donnarumma become one of the premier goalkeepers in world football. Against Arsenal on Sunday, Donnarumma made an inexplicable error to gift Arsenal an equalizer. The mistake was big in itself; there is no other way to put it. However, how Donnarumma responded to the error defines him, not the error itself as the Italian goalkeeper helped his team pick up a 2-1 win over Mikel Arteta’s side.
Gianluigi Donnarumma cost his team on Sunday, there is no other way to put it.
Rayan Cherki gave Manchester City the lead against Arsenal on Sunday in the 16th minute. Cherki’s sublime goal had the Etihad bouncing, and the French international’s wonder goal did seemingly heap pressure onto Mikel Arteta’s side in their top-of-the-table clash. However, City’s lead would only last 107 seconds.
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Arsenal kicked off after Cherki’s goal and pumped the ball long and deep for a City throw-in deep in their own half. Matheus Nunes took the throw-in and threw the ball back to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Donnarumma took a poor first touch and dwelled on the ball for far too long. This allowed Kai Havertz to press Donnarumma, and the Italian keeper kicked the ball into Havertz, and the ball went into the top corner. Arsenal were level off the back of Donnarumma’s error, and the life of the Etihad Stadium seemed to have been drained away. Arsenal’s goal was Gianluigi Donnarumma’s fault. There is simply no other way to put it.
However, Donnarumma made amends for his mistake during the remainder of the match.
A mistake like the one Gianluigi Donnarumma made can swallow lesser players and keepers whole. There are countless examples of this occurring throughout football. However, Donnarumma overcame his mistake with the help of teammates, and he had a big impact on Manchester City’s win over Arsenal on Sunday.
First, in the 60th minute, Donnarumma made a superb double save to deny Kai Havertz and Arsenal from taking the lead. Marc Guehi gave away the ball in midfield, which allowed Arsenal to break. Martin Ødegaard played in Havertz, who only had the oncoming Donnarumma to beat. The Italian keeper made a superb save to deny Havertz. The rebound fell Arsenal’s way, but a combination of the Manchester City defence and Donnarumma’s second effort kept Mikel Arteta’s side out. It was a big moment in Sunday’s match, and it showed that Donnarumma had put his first-half error behind him.
Five minutes later, it was Gianluigi Donnarumma’s quick throw-in that set Nico O’Reilly away to set up Manchester City’s winning goal at the Etihad. It was a simple throw-in from Donnarumma, but his quick thinking set Manchester City away. It was a pivotal moment in the match, and Donnarumma played his part in it.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma put his error behind him which speaks volumes about his fortitude and character.
A talking point to emerge out of Sunday’s match, and throughout this season, has been Gianluigi Donnarumma’s proficiency on the ball. Donnarumma isn’t, and never will be, Ederson in goal. Ederson is a once-in-a-generation keeper with his feet. There is a school or thought that this harms Manchester City’s ability to play out from the back. However, Sunday’s mistake is Donnarumma’s only major error in possession this season. He hasn’t been a major liability in this aspect of his play. Yes, Donnarumma made a costly mistake, but what he showed after it was more telling than his error.
Gianluigi Donnarumma immediately put his mistake behind him. Sunday’s match was a big game, and the error Donnarumma made could have been match-defining. But it wasn’t. Donnarumma stood up to be counted after his costly error. That speaks volumes about his character and resilience. This trait of Donnarumma’s, coupled with his shot-stopping, makes him one of the world’s best goalkeepers. At times, it is forgotten how good Gianluigi Donnarumma is, as other aspects of his play are focused on instead of what Donnarumma actually is.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made what was almost an unforgivable error against Arsenal on Sunday. However, how Donnarumma picked himself up after his mistake defines him, not the error itself. He stood up following that error to help Manchester City pick up a massive three points at the Etihad, and Donnarumma’s role in Manchester City’s win cannot be overlooked despite his mistake being the focus of attention.
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