Gabriel Martinelli

In a thrilling Premier League clash on Sunday, Gabriel Martinelli delivered a moment of magic in the dying minutes to salvage a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Manchester City. The Brazilian’s late strike ensured the Gunners left the Etihad with a hard-fought point, breaking the hearts of the City faithful.

Manchester City struck early, capitalizing on a lightning-fast counterattack in the ninth minute. Tijjani Reijnders surged forward from deep, linking up with Erling Haaland, who calmly slotted the ball past David Raya to give the hosts the lead. The early goal set the tone for a tense, high-stakes encounter.

Arsenal, however, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, appearing short on ideas against a resolute City defense. A tactical double substitution at halftime breathed new life into the Gunners’ attack. Substitute Eberechi Eze nearly turned the game on its head, forcing a sharp save from City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as Arsenal began to dominate a surprisingly defensive Manchester City.

Despite City’s efforts to hold firm, Arsenal’s persistence paid off in the 93rd minute. Eze’s speculative long ball found Martinelli, who showcased his composure with a sublime lob over Donnarumma to snatch a dramatic equalizer. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Arsenal faithful, securing a crucial point in their title chase.

The draw sees Arsenal climb to second place in the Premier League standings, now five points behind leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s struggles continue, with the Citizens sitting in ninth place, having secured just two wins from their opening five matches.

This result highlights Arsenal’s resilience and ability to fight until the final whistle, while City will need to regroup quickly to rediscover their winning form in a competitive Premier League campaign.