By Sam Tobin
LONDON (Reuters) -Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp equaliser gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, cancelling out Erling Haaland’s early goal to give the Gunners a point though they lost ground on early leaders Liverpool.
City scored from a rapid counter in the ninth minute, Tijjani Reijnders breaking from deep with Haaland on his shoulder before he played the Norwegian striker in to finish coolly past David Raya.
Arsenal looked short on ideas before a double change at halftime gave them more impetus, substitute Eberechi Eze forcing a sharp save from Gianluigi Donnarumma as the hosts swarmed all over an uncharacteristically defensive City.
The visitors had seemed to have weathered the storm, though, finishing the game with five at the back as Arsenal probed without creating the killer opening they needed.
But substitute Martinelli – who delivered a goal and an assist off the bench against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday – ran on to Eze’s speculative ball over the top and produced a superb lob in the 93rd minute to give Arsenal a share of the spoils.
The draw puts Arsenal on 10 points from five games, already five points behind Liverpool having lost against the champions before the international break, while City move up to ninth with seven points.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told reporters: “I’m extremely proud of the players and the team, that’s the overall feeling. I’m very disappointed with the result.”
EARLY CRUNCH GAME IN TITLE RACE?
The early-season meeting between the two rivals had an important feel, with Liverpool continuing their perfect start against Everton on Saturday despite looking nowhere near their best.
Arsenal controlled the opening exchanges until City took a lead they rarely looked likely to give away, even before Guardiola decided to protect what they had.
City’s opener came after a messy passage of play, with Haaland at the heart of it as his pass to Reijnders inside the City half started the move which ended with him slotting home his 13th goal in eight games for club and country this season.
The Gunners toiled for long periods and a largely tepid game seemed to be slipping away until Martinelli produced what Declan Rice described as a “moment of magic” to level the contest.
Rice told Sky Sports: “A lot of players can sulk if they get put on the bench, but every time he comes on he shows his heart and desire. The run and finish is just unbelievable.”
The late goal set up a frantic finish, though both sides had to settle for a point.
City recorded 32.8% possession, the lowest-ever possession average by a Pep Guardiola team in his 601st top-flight league match, according to Opta.
Rice said City’s approach showed Arsenal had gained their respect and Guardiola accepted Arsenal’s quality forced his hand, though pointed out his side played differently against Napoli on Thursday, two days after Arsenal’s European game.
“Our resilience was fantastic, otherwise we can’t survive,” Guardiola told reporters, adding: “Arsenal was better … one time in 10 years is not bad, right?”
(Reporting by Sam TobinEditing by Toby Davis)
