AFCON 2025
Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to deliver late drama at the Emirates, scoring a stoppage-time equaliser that salvaged a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Manchester City in a tense Premier League showdown.
City had struck first inside 10 minutes when Erling Haaland finished clinically after Tijjani Reijnders launched a swift counter-attack. The champions looked in control from then on, dropping deep and defending in numbers as Pep Guardiola’s men sought to protect their lead.
Arsenal, however, grew into the contest. Mikel Arteta’s half-time substitutions—introducing Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze—shifted the momentum. Eze in particular stretched City’s back line, while the Gunners began forcing Donnarumma into action as wave after wave of attacks poured forward.
City’s defensive stubbornness held firm until the 93rd minute. Eze spotted Martinelli’s run and lofted a perfectly weighted pass over the top. The Brazilian winger showed composure beyond the moment, lifting the ball delicately over the onrushing Donnarumma to send the Emirates into raptures.
The draw leaves both sides still firmly in the title mix, though Arsenal will take greater satisfaction from the manner of the result. Martinelli’s late strike may come to be remembered as an early-season turning point in a race already shaping up to be fiercely contested.
