Gabriel Martinelli got here off the bench and scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Arsenal in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on the Emirates Stadium.
Metropolis gave the impression to be getting ready to victory because of Erling Haaland’s sensible breakaway aim within the ninth minute however Martinelli looped an excellent end over Gianluigi Donnarumma after latching onto Eberechi Eze’s cross to spark wild celebrations.
It got here 5 days after the Brazilian made a equally essential affect from the bench in Arsenal’s win over Athletic Membership, when he scored one aim and arrange the opposite. His strike additionally bore similarities to his winner instead in opposition to Metropolis in October 2023.
The aim ensured Arsenal are 5 factors behind leaders Liverpool, moderately than six, and got here after they’d struggled to carve out possibilities for lengthy durations regardless of Metropolis having simply 32.8 per cent possession, a record-low for a Pep Guardiola group.
Haaland’s aim, when he began and completed a devastating counter after combining with Tijjani Reijnders, made it three in as many video games for the striker in opposition to Arsenal and 19 in his final 15 appearances in all competitions. It additionally gave Metropolis a significant foothold.
Arsenal’s solely actual likelihood of a poor first half got here when Noni Madueke compelled a near-post save from Donnarumma however they improved with the half-time introductions of Eze and the returning Bukayo Saka, who changed Mikel Merino and Madueke.
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Watch Erling Haaland’s breakaway aim in opposition to Arsenal
Eze went near a leveller quickly after approaching, forcing a pointy save from Donnarumma with a rasping drive, however Metropolis regarded comfy after weathering that interval of Arsenal stress.
Guardiola took the uncharacteristic step of shifting to a again 5 after introducing Nathan Ake for Phil Foden and it appeared they have been going to safe a win to place them stage on factors with the Gunners. However Martinelli had the ultimate say – and never for the primary time.
Rice: Martinelli at all times delivers in large moments
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice instructed Sky Sports activities: “Since I’ve come to the club, even before I’ve come, he [Martinelli] has always delivered in big moments. The amount of times he’s scoring in big games for us.
“Quite a lot of gamers can speak in the event that they get placed on the bench however each time he is available in, he exhibits his want.
Gabriel Martinelli celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for Arsenal in opposition to Man Metropolis
“The run and finish – it’s unbelievable at that stage of the game. To have that composure, he really deserves it.
“So though we did not win, I believed we lastly deserved it as a result of we dominated right this moment and performed actually, very well.
“We just couldn’t break them down. Fair play to them. But Martinelli, he’s come on and produced a moment of magic. So we’re happy with that.”
Carra: Lack of creativity a fear for Arsenal
Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Carragher stated:
“I can perceive the place Rice is coming from, if you dominate a title rival as a lot as they did, you might be happy about that in some methods. That’s not regular to see a recreation like that so one-sided when it comes to territory and possession.
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Roy Keane & Jamie Carragher focus on Arsenal’s lack of creativity on Tremendous Sunday after Arsenal took on Manchester Metropolis.
“But for me, I cannot get away from the fact Arsenal do not look like scoring a goal in open play and I felt that at Man Utd in the first game and at Anfield and today – credit to them as they found a way, they had lots of set-pieces, but did not look as dangerous on them today, but this still has to be a worry for Arsenal.
“I feel this season from Arsenal of their 5 video games from open play, their xG is about three, they didn’t actually seem like scoring in any respect and that’s nonetheless an issue they’d final season and it nonetheless appears to be like in these first 5 video games they nonetheless have it.”
Arteta’s unbeaten run vs Pep – Opta stats
- Mikel Arteta is the primary supervisor to keep away from defeat in 5 consecutive league video games in opposition to Pep Guardiola, together with his Arsenal facet profitable twice and drawing the opposite three throughout their final 5 Premier League conferences with Metropolis.
- Manchester Metropolis have gained simply seven factors from their opening 5 Premier League matches (W2 D1 L2), their worst return after 5 league video games of a marketing campaign since 2006/07 beneath Stuart Pearce.
- Manchester Metropolis recorded their lowest ever possession common by a Pep Guardiola group in a top-flight league match. The 2 lowest have each been in video games away to Arsenal within the Premier League (32.8 per cent right this moment, 36.5 per cent in March 2023).
- Brighton (24) are the one Premier League group to attain extra objectives through substitutes than Arsenal (20) throughout all competitions for the reason that begin of final season.
- Erling Haaland has both scored (5) or assisted (two) seven of Man Metropolis’s final 9 Premier League objectives in opposition to Arsenal. Solely Son Heung-Min (10) has been immediately concerned in additional league objectives in opposition to the Gunners beneath Mikel Arteta than Haaland’s seven.
