Jack Grealish told City's bench he almost got himself sent off with his celebration against Arsenal

Arsenal’s grip at the top of the Premier League table was lost on Wednesday evening as defending champions and nearest rivals, Manchester City took all three points from the Emirates to leapfrog their challengers. However, the teams are on the same points, and Arsenal have an all-important game in hand to try and regain top spot.

Midway through the opening 45, Kevin De Bruyne profited from an absolute gift from Takehiro Tomiyasu before lofting the ball beyond Aaron Ramsdale. Bukayo Saka was on hand to level the scores before the interval from the spot however, after the City goalkeeper clattered into Eddie Nketiah, sending him to Trafalgar Square!

Late on, the defending champions moved through the gears, with a deflected Jack Grealish strike restoring the lead before the match was put out of Arsenal’s reach thanks to an Erling Haaland strike in the closing moments, leaving the hosts no time to respond and get back into the clash.

Jack Grealish put Man City ahead

Scoring only his third league goal of the season, Grealish sent the travelling fans into a frenzy after his deflected strike left the Arseanl ‘keeper helpless as he wheeled away in celebration, sharing his moment with the City fans who knew how important that strike could end up being.

He looked like he was going to take his shirt off in celebration, but having being booked recently, it wasn’t a wise idea, something that the midfielder remembered just in the nick of time and avoided being given his marching orders.

Grealish appeared to still be thinking about that almost woeful moment when he was subbed off, talking to the bench and appearing to mimic the celebration, including the moment he went to remove his shirt in pure passion before his quick thinking remembered the ramifications.

Video: Jack Grealish talks to Manchester City bench about his celebration

pic.twitter.com/YrhidSZUhq

— Sam (@SP1892_) February 16, 2023

GREALISH HAS THE GOAL 🔥

Arsenal fail to clear their lines, allowing a brilliant move from the visitors which ends in Jack Grealish sweeping home 👏#PLonPrime #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/oojBuiYUWC

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 15, 2023

It was certainly quick thinking from the £100 million man who stopped himself receiving his marching orders by celebrating with his shirt fully on his body still.

The members of City’s backroom staff who he was telling his tale to were loving what they were hearing, seeing the funny side in an almost disastrous moment.

You can see clearly on the replay, Grealish certainly went to grab his shirt and whip it off in pure elation after his important strike restored the one goal cushion.