Arsenal snatch 1-1 draw with Manchester City with late Martinelli goal

Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal in stoppage time in the third minute of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City, whose rare defensive display under Pep Guardiola was sorely ineffective.

On the counterattack, Erling Haaland scored the opening goal, and City then used a defensive strategy unlike any that Guardiola had coached.

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However, there was a late break when Martinelli latched onto a ball that Eberechi Eze had played over City’s slack defense before slitting the goalkeeper.

After just five games, Arsenal is now in second place on goal difference behind Tottenham and Bournemouth, giving Liverpool, the reigning champions, a five-point lead. The pace is already eight points behind city.

In the ninth minute, City scored from a quick counter in the opening exchanges.

Before playing the Norwegian striker in a cool finish past David Raya, Tijjani Reijnders broke from deep with Haaland on his shoulder.

Before a double change at half-time gave Arsenal more ideas, with substitute Eberechi Eze forcing a brave save from Donnarumma to swarm the entire city.

Opta reported that the visitors had 32.8 percent of their possession, which was the lowest possession average by a Guardiola team in his 601st top-flight league game.

However, as Arsenal pressed without creating the crucial opening, City had semblance to have escaped the storm, finishing the game with five at the back.

However, Martinelli ran onto Eze’s speculative ball over the top and lobged a superb lob in the 93rd minute to give Arsenal a share of the spoils after scoring a goal and an assist off the bench against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.

Arsenal captain Declan Rice praised Martinelli for his “moment of magic” in scoring the equaliser and suggested City’s defensive style was a sign of respect for the Gunners.

“We have won the opposition’s respect.” They are aware of our level of excellence, Rice told Sky Sports.

“We passed and moved well both in the first and second halves,” he said. “There was always a threat on the counter.”

We ultimately deserved the victory, but we would have been disappointed if we had lost.

He continued, “The run and finish is unbelievable,” when describing Martinelli’s late equalizer. You wouldn’t find a nicer man like him, so he deserves it. He has produced a moment of magic.

In a post-game interview, Guardiola acknowledged that Arsenal was the better team.

With all that has transpired this week, it’s difficult to analyze. We play on Thursday and now as much as United and in the Champions League. The teams are formidable in every way, Guardiola claimed.

When you’re not effective at high pressing or building up, it’s very difficult.

He continued, “I believe the outcome is fair. Arsenal, however, were generally superior.

Aston Villa ended their goalless run in the Premier League on Sunday, but they were unable to defeat 10-man Sunderland in a 1-1 draw.

In the 67th minute, Villa scored their first goal after five league games, scoring a swerving shot from 25 meters (82 feet) that Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs was unable to parry into his own net.

However, Sunderland equalized in the 75th minute through Wilson Isidor, leaving Villa third from bottom and with 10 men starting from the 33rd minute after Reinildo was sent off for kick out at Cash.

In a draw at Bournemouth and a 0-0 draw, Newcastle rotated their team following a Champions League defeat to Barcelona on Thursday.