In a sensational way, Arsenal snatched a very important point from the jaws of defeat as Gabriel Martinelli’s last gasp equalizer made the Gunners’ effort against Manchester City worth sharing, thus extending their unbeaten run in this Premier League (PL) head-to-head to five matches.
Man City managed to score the first goal of this eagerly awaited clash, known as an early marker in the title race, after only nine minutes. Erling Haaland associated brilliantly with Tijjani Reijnders before going alone and placing the ball past David Raya for his 11th goal in six games for club and country.
Although Pep Guardiola’s team were instead a little slow in their play, and not very daring in their attacking phases, they controlled well their opponent’s set-pieces, and even if both William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori went close to scoring for the home team before the break, no goals were added.
The change at halftime made by Mikel Arteta hit the target straight away, both Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze were brought on and both had prompt chances to equalize. Haaland was saved by Raya, who blocked his shot with great difficulty and on the other hand Trossard and Calafiori also tested the manager’s defense.
Towards the end of the match, Guardiola’s decision to replace Haaland and Foden made the team adopt an even more defensive stance as Arsenal could no longer contain their onslaught.
As Martinelli ran onto Eze’s through ball, he deftly chipped the ball over Donnarumma to bring the Emirates to its feet just when City seemed to have weathered the storm. The last minute goal ensured the Gunners remain three points ahead of third-placed Manchester City, thus they can still hold the initiative in their hands.
For Guardiola’s team it was a really harsh defeat after they were almost able to make a clear statement in the city.
