Gabriel Martinelli Rescues Arsenal With Late Goal Against Manchester City

Gabriel Martinelli struck from the bench for the second time in five days, producing a superb stoppage-time lob to rescue a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Manchester City.

Erling Haaland had given City an early lead at the Emirates with a clinical ninth-minute finish, and Pep Guardiola’s side looked set to hand Mikel Arteta’s men a sobering defeat with a disciplined defensive display. But Martinelli, introduced late on, latched onto Eberechi Eze’s lofted pass in the third minute of added time and coolly beat Gianluigi Donnarumma, ensuring Arsenal avoided defeat.

The result leaves Arsenal five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have won all five of their matches so far, while City sit eight points off the pace. Before kick-off, Arsenal could boast the league’s best defensive record, having yet to concede from open play. That statistic was erased within nine minutes.

Haaland, who has made a habit of tormenting Arsenal, did so again with his 13th goal of the season for club and country and his fifth in seven league appearances against the Gunners. Collecting the ball after Gabriel was shrugged aside, the Norwegian exchanged passes with Tijjani Reijnders before finishing calmly with his second touch.

City celebrated by posting “Finisher” on “X”a pointed response to Arteta’s recent comments about Arsenal’s impact substitutes but they would be made to eat their words.

The visitors controlled much of the first half, threatening again when Reijnders tested David Raya after Haaland had forced a turnover in midfield. Arsenal struggled to find rhythm, though Noni Madueke did draw a sharp save from Donnarumma just before the break.

Arteta reacted at half-time, bringing on Bukayo Saka back from a month out with a hamstring problem along with Eze. The changes injected energy, with Zubimendi and Eze both going close early in the second half. City remained dangerous on the counter, however, with Haaland denied by Raya after being played through by Jeremy Doku.

As the game wore on, Arsenal pressed for an equaliser. Rúben Dias made a crucial interception to prevent Viktor Gyökeres from converting Leandro Trossard’s low cross, before Martinelli entered the fray with nine minutes left.

With seven minutes of stoppage time signalled, the Emirates crowd sensed one last chance and Martinelli delivered. Chasing Eze’s perfectly weighted ball over the top, the Brazilian lifted his finish over Donnarumma to spark jubilant celebrations.

It may yet prove a vital moment in Arsenal’s pursuit of a first Premier League crown in 22 years.