Arsenal salvaged a crucial point at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after Gabriel Martinelli struck a stoppage-time equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw with defending champions Manchester City in a pulsating Premier League clash.
City had taken the lead as early as the ninth minute when Tijjani Reijnders sparked a swift counterattack from deep inside his own half. The Dutch midfielder released Erling Haaland with a perfectly weighted pass, and the Norwegian striker made no mistake, slotting past David Raya to silence the home crowd.
The Gunners struggled to find rhythm for much of the first half, with City dominating possession and looking more dangerous in attack. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, speaking at halftime, criticised Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, suggesting that the decision to bench Martinelli and Ebere Eze limited the team’s creativity.
Arteta responded by making changes in the second half, introducing Martinelli and Eze as Arsenal searched for a breakthrough. The substitutes changed the tempo of the game, stretching City’s defence and creating several half-chances.
With the clock ticking into injury time, Arsenal’s persistence finally paid off. Eze delivered a brilliant lofted pass over the City backline, and Martinelli made a perfectly timed run to meet the ball before lobbing it over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was beaten for the first time since joining the club. The Emirates erupted as Martinelli celebrated in front of the home supporters.
City attempted to mount one final attack, but Arsenal held firm to see out the remaining minutes and claim a valuable point. The result means Liverpool remain five points clear at the top of the table after their weekend win, while Arsenal sit second on goal difference ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville described the game as a “slugfest,” suggesting that Liverpool were the biggest winners of the evening as both their title rivals dropped points.
Despite the disappointment of not securing all three points, Arteta praised his players’ resilience. “We knew it would be a battle, and we showed great character to fight until the very last minute,” he said. “This team has belief, and that’s what got us the equalizer.”
City manager Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, lamented his side’s missed chances. “We should have killed the game earlier,” he admitted. “When you don’t take your opportunities, a team like Arsenal will always come back at you.”
The draw keeps the Premier League title race wide open, with Arsenal still unbeaten at home this season. They next face a tricky away trip to Crystal Palace, while Manchester City will look to bounce back when they host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium next weekend.
Read Also: What Ruben Dias said earlier about today’s fixture
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