Arsenal snatched a dramatic point at the Emirates as Gabriel Martinelli once again came off the bench to deliver in the dying minutes, securing a 1–1 draw with Manchester City in a tense Premier League clash.
For the second game running, Mikel Arteta’s “finishers” made the difference. The Arsenal boss had hinted after the midweek Champions League win over Athletic Club that his substitutes could prove more decisive than his starters, and Martinelli’s stoppage-time dink over Donnarumma gave weight to that claim once again.
The afternoon didn’t start well for the hosts. City silenced the Emirates early, with Erling Haaland coolly rolling past David Raya in the ninth minute after a lightning counter-attack. Arsenal’s midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino struggled to carve out clear opportunities before halftime, leaving the home fans frustrated.
Arteta responded decisively after the break, introducing Eberechi Eze and a returning Bukayo Saka. The impact was instant—Zubimendi went close from distance, while Eze forced Donnarumma into a sharp stop as Arsenal began to pin City back.
Still, Guardiola’s men looked dangerous on the break, with Jeremy Doku a constant menace down the flank. In the closing stages, the City boss shifted to a back five to protect the lead, seemingly shutting Arsenal out.
But the Gunners weren’t finished. Deep into stoppage time, Eze slipped a clever ball through for Martinelli, and the Brazilian showed composure beyond his years, lifting the ball delicately over the advancing keeper to send the Emirates into raptures.
The draw not only keeps Arsenal’s momentum alive but also extends Arteta’s remarkable run against his former mentor—he’s now the only manager to go five successive matches unbeaten against Pep Guardiola.
For Arsenal fans, the message is clear: whether starting or finishing, this squad has resilience and belief—and with Martinelli in form, late drama feels almost inevitable.
