Arsenal left it late but salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring in stoppage time to deny Pep Guardiola’s side all three points.
The build-up to the fixture carried major significance. Arsenal, buoyed by recent wins, had the chance to make a statement against the champions in front of their home crowd. City, by contrast, arrived in London under pressure after a below-par start to the campaign, seeking to steady themselves with a positive result.
City strike first
The opening stages defied expectations. Known for their dominance of possession under Guardiola, City instead opted for a conservative approach. They ceded control of the ball, allowing Arsenal to dictate tempo while sitting deep in a compact shape. For much of the first half, City’s share of possession remained unusually low, around 32 percent.
Their strategy was vindicated within minutes. Erling Haaland, afforded half a chance inside the box, converted with trademark precision to give City an early lead. The Norwegian striker’s clinical finish silenced the home support and gave City the platform to implement their game plan: protect the advantage and frustrate their opponents.
Arsenal push, City hold firm
In response, Arsenal dominated territory and sought ways through a disciplined City back line. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol in particular stood out, repeatedly cutting out crosses and blocking attempts on goal. Leandro Trossard came closest for the hosts with a strike that rattled the woodwork, while a series of corners and half-chances failed to alter the scoreline.
By half-time, Arsenal had enjoyed the majority of possession yet struggled to turn pressure into clear openings. City’s defensive organisation ensured their lead remained intact.
Second-half resurgence
Mikel Arteta turned to his bench after the interval, introducing Gabriel Martinelli to inject pace and directness into Arsenal’s attack. The shift in momentum was immediate. The home crowd responded to every forward surge, and City began to look increasingly stretched.
Bukayo Saka carried constant threat down the right flank, while Martinelli’s energy unsettled the visitors. Arsenal forced City deeper into their own half, and even goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was cautioned for time-wasting as the pressure mounted.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal’s final ball often lacked precision, and with time running out, it appeared City’s defensive resilience would deliver all three points.
Martinelli’s decisive moment
Deep into added time, Arsenal finally found a breakthrough. A lofted delivery into the penalty area was met by Martinelli, whose intelligent run left him free to apply a deft lob over Donnarumma. The ball looped into the net, sparking wild celebrations inside the Emirates.
The 93rd-minute equaliser ensured Arsenal’s persistence was rewarded and prevented City from securing what would have been a hard-fought away victory.
A fair result
The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw that showcased contrasting approaches. City, uncharacteristically passive, demonstrated they can adapt their style to grind out results. Arsenal, meanwhile, underlined their resilience and attacking depth, refusing to capitulate in the face of adversity.
While the points were shared, the narrative felt different for each side. For Arsenal, the late equaliser provided momentum and belief. For City, it served as a reminder of vulnerabilities in a campaign that has not started smoothly.
The result keeps both clubs firmly in contention at the top end of the Premier League table, and on this evidence, both will remain central to the title race.
