Manchester City sought to defend an early Erling Haaland objective, however Gabriel Martinelli got here off the bench to equalise.
Arsenal equalised within the third minute of stoppage time by way of Gabriel Martinelli to snatch a 1-1 draw of their match on Sunday with Manchester City, whose uncommon defensive efficiency below Pep Guardiola narrowly didn’t ship a win within the Premier League.
Erling Haaland scored an early objective on the counterattack, and City went on to frustrate Arsenal with a defensive method that was in contrast to any crew coached by Guardiola, who’s famed for possession and attacking soccer.
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There was a late twist, nonetheless, when Eberechi Eze performed a ball over City’s packed defence and Martinelli latched onto it earlier than lobbing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It left Liverpool, the defending champions, with a five-point lead after simply 5 video games, with Arsenal in second place on objective distinction over Tottenham and Bournemouth. City are already eight factors off the tempo.
Arsenal managed the opening exchanges till City scored from a speedy counter within the ninth minute.
Tijjani Reijnders broke from deep with Haaland on his shoulder earlier than he performed the Norwegian striker in to complete coolly previous David Raya.
Arsenal appeared brief on concepts earlier than a double change at half-time gave them extra impetus, with substitute Eberechi Eze forcing a pointy save from Donnarumma because the hosts swarmed throughout City.
The guests recorded 32.8 p.c possession, the lowest-ever possession common by a Guardiola crew in his 601st top-flight league match, in response to Opta.
City had appeared to have weathered the storm, although, ending the sport with 5 on the again as Arsenal probed with out creating the killer opening they wanted.
But substitute Martinelli – who delivered a objective and an help off the bench in opposition to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday – ran on to Eze’s speculative ball excessive and produced an outstanding lob within the 93rd minute to provide Arsenal a share of the spoils.
Arsenal captain Declan Rice urged City’s defensive method was an indication of respect for the Gunners, and he praised Martinelli for his “second of magic” in grabbing the equaliser.
“We’ve gained the respect of the opposition. They know the standard we have now from entrance to again,” Rice informed Sky Sports.
“We handed and moved effectively within the first half and within the second, however there was all the time the risk on the counter.
“In the tip, we deserved the objective and would have been disillusioned to come back away dropping.”
Speaking about Martinelli’s late equaliser, he added: “The run and end is unbelievable. He absolutely deserves it – you wouldn’t meet a nicer man. He’s come on and produced a second of magic.”
Guardiola conceded that Arsenal have been the higher crew in a post-match interview.
“It’s tough to analyse with all that’s occurred this week. We play video games like United and within the Champions League on Thursday, and now right this moment. The groups are like so highly effective in all features,” Guardiola informed Sky Sports.
“[It’s] so tough once you’re not efficient or excessive urgent and also you’re not efficient in build-up.”
He added, “I believe the result’s honest. But basically, Arsenal have been higher.”
Elsewhere within the Premier League on Sunday, Aston Villa ended their objective drought however nonetheless couldn’t beat 10-man Sunderland in a 1-1 draw.
Matty Cash blasted a swerving shot from 25 metres (82 ft) that Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs may solely parry into his personal internet within the 67th minute, giving Villa their first objective after 5 video games within the league.
However, Sunderland – enjoying with 10 males from the thirty third minute after Reinildo’s pink card for kicking out at Cash – equalised within the seventy fifth minute by way of Wilson Isidor to depart Villa with out a victory and third from backside.
Meanwhile, Newcastle rotated their crew after a Champions League loss to Barcelona on Thursday and struggled to create many clear-cut probabilities in a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.
It meant Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe, who used to teach Bournemouth, has no longer crushed his former facet in seven makes an attempt.
