Gabriel Martinelli's Late Goal Settles Arsenal With Draw Against Man City At Emirates Stadium

 

Arsenal fought hard until injury time to force a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, sharing spoils with their fierce opponent at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have already suffered a setback on that front by losing at Anfield before the international break, but have responded correctly with two successive clean sheet victories since. The Gunners executed a perfect European away performance in beating Athletic Club 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, which gave  Mikel Arteta’s men an advantage.

City took the lead in the earlier stages as Tijjani Rejinders latched onto a loose ball from the center and played in Erling Haaland inside the box. The Norwegian striker finished off the counter. Arsenal restored level terms in the injury time as Eberechi Eze's lob was picked up by Gabriel Martinelli, who poked the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and the ball landed in the empty net. 

The game ended in a disappointing draw for Pep Guardiola's men, who have now remained winless against Arsenal in five previous meetings. Meanwhile, Manchester City have lost to Arsenal in two of the five previous meetings at the Emirates Stadium. 

Overview 

It was an uneventful but thoroughly tactical game at Emirates. City left no loophole for Arsenal to seize until Martinelli was released with Eberechi's deep lob. The winger was careful with his method as Donnanumma approached him in a contest for the ball, and that was when he realised that Martinelli had sent the ball in flight to the net. 

City maintained a strict defensive approach, knowing that Arsenal's intent was to draw them out, while they exchanged passes. Ake was staunch at the back, and Bernardo Silva was defensive instead of attacking. Jeremy Doku could not cause a scare as Bukayo Saka replaced Noni Madueke, knowing the terrific winger he can be. Besides that, he could easily switch roles into the centre and strike. Doku was forced into defensive mode. It was a well-deserved draw for both sides.