Gabriel Martinelli struck deep into stoppage time to keep Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes alive, snatching a 93rd-minute equaliser in a tense 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
The Gunners were staring at a costly defeat after Erling Haaland’s ninth-minute opener on the counter had put City ahead. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded from open play across both the Premier League and Champions League this season, underlining the Norwegian striker’s ruthlessness.
But Martinelli, introduced from the bench, once again delivered at the decisive moment scoring for the second time in a week to ensure Arsenal avoided back-to-back league defeats. The point, however, still saw them lose further ground in the title race.
Arsenal climbed to second, five points behind leaders Liverpool, while City slipped to ninth, already eight points adrift.
“I’m very disappointed not to win,” admitted Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who insisted his side had played better than in last season’s emphatic 5-1 victory over the same opponents.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa’s poor form dragged on with a frustrating 1-1 draw away at 10-man Sunderland, leaving Unai Emery’s side still searching for their first league win of the campaign.
