Martinelli snatches late point for Arsenal in 1-1 draw with Man City

LONDON :Gabriel Martinelli's last-gasp equaliser gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, cancelling out Erling Haaland's early goal to give the Gunners a point though they lost ground on early leaders Liverpool.

City scored from a rapid counter in the ninth minute, Tijjani Reijnders breaking from deep with Haaland on his shoulder before he played the Norwegian striker in to finish coolly past David Raya.

Arsenal looked short on ideas before a double change at halftime gave them more impetus, substitute Eberechi Eze forcing a sharp save from Gianluigi Donnarumma as the hosts swarmed all over an uncharacteristically defensive City.

The visitors had seemed to have weathered the storm, though, finishing the game with five at the back as Arsenal probed without creating the killer opening they needed.

But substitute Martinelli – who delivered a goal and an assist off the bench against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday – ran on to Eze's speculative ball over the top and produced a superb lob in the 93rd minute to give Arsenal a share of the spoils.

The draw puts Arsenal on 10 points from five games, already five points behind Liverpool having lost against the champions before the international break, while City move up to ninth with seven points.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told reporters: "I'm extremely proud of the players and the team, that's the overall feeling. I'm very disappointed with the result."

EARLY CRUNCH GAME IN TITLE RACE?

The early-season meeting between the two rivals had an important feel, with Liverpool continuing their perfect start against Everton on Saturday despite looking nowhere near their best.

Arsenal controlled the opening exchanges until City took a lead they rarely looked