Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to rescue Arsenal with a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, as Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics backfired.
City had taken an early lead through Erling Haaland, who capitalised on Tijjani Reijnders’ precise pass to finish clinically from eight yards in the ninth minute.
But Guardiola’s cautious substitutions, including removing Haaland and adding Nathan Ake in a switch to five at the back, left City vulnerable in stoppage time.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s own tactical moves proved decisive. Bringing on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze at half-time lifted the Gunners, and it was Eze’s lofted pass that sent Martinelli through on goal.
The Brazilian calmly chipped over Donnarumma to earn a point and spare Arsenal a second defeat to a title rival following their loss to Liverpool in August.
The draw lifts Arsenal to second place, five points behind leaders Liverpool, while City languish in ninth with just two wins from five league matches.
Liverpool, having won all five of their opening games, emerge as the real beneficiaries of the North London clash.
Haaland’s goal marked his fifth in seven league appearances against Arsenal, bringing his season tally to 12 goals in eight matches for City.
Despite City’s early threat, Arsenal nearly breached the visitors again when Reijnders’ powerful drive was parried by David Raya.
A feisty clash saw Bernardo Silva kick the ball into Leandro Trossard’s groin, provoking retaliation from the Arsenal winger.
The match escalated in intensity, but Arsenal’s substitutes ensured they remained in contention, culminating in Martinelli’s dramatic finish.
Guardiola’s pragmatic approach, sacrificing his usual attacking principles, ultimately cost City, as the manager failed to secure a win in five consecutive league matches against Arsenal for the first time in his Manchester City tenure.
