Manchester Metropolis sought to defend an early Erling Haaland purpose, however Gabriel Martinelli got here off the bench to equalise.
Arsenal equalised within the third minute of stoppage time via Gabriel Martinelli to snatch a 1-1 draw of their match on Sunday with Manchester Metropolis, whose uncommon defensive efficiency underneath Pep Guardiola narrowly didn’t ship a win within the Premier League.
Erling Haaland scored an early purpose on the counterattack, and Metropolis went on to frustrate Arsenal with a defensive method that was in contrast to any workforce coached by Guardiola, who’s famed for possession and attacking soccer.
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There was a late twist, nevertheless, when Eberechi Eze performed a ball over Metropolis’s packed defence and Martinelli latched onto it earlier than lobbing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It left Liverpool, the defending champions, with a five-point lead after simply 5 video games, with Arsenal in second place on purpose distinction over Tottenham and Bournemouth. Metropolis are already eight factors off the tempo.
Arsenal managed the opening exchanges till Metropolis scored from a speedy counter within the ninth minute.
Tijjani Reijnders broke from deep with Haaland on his shoulder earlier than he performed the Norwegian striker in to complete coolly previous David Raya.
Arsenal regarded brief on concepts earlier than a double change at half-time gave them extra impetus, with substitute Eberechi Eze forcing a pointy save from Donnarumma because the hosts swarmed throughout Metropolis.
The guests recorded 32.8 p.c possession, the lowest-ever possession common by a Guardiola workforce in his 601st top-flight league match, based on Opta.
Metropolis had appeared to have weathered the storm, although, ending the sport with 5 on the again as Arsenal probed with out creating the killer opening they wanted.
However substitute Martinelli – who delivered a purpose and an help off the bench towards Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday – ran on to Eze’s speculative ball excessive and produced an excellent lob within the 93rd minute to present Arsenal a share of the spoils.
Arsenal captain Declan Rice advised Metropolis’s defensive method was an indication of respect for the Gunners, and he praised Martinelli for his “second of magic” in grabbing the equaliser.
“We’ve gained the respect of the opposition. They know the standard we’ve from entrance to again,” Rice advised Sky Sports activities.
“We handed and moved nicely within the first half and within the second, however there was all the time the menace on the counter.
“In the long run, we deserved the purpose and would have been disillusioned to return away dropping.”
Talking about Martinelli’s late equaliser, he added: “The run and end is unbelievable. He absolutely deserves it – you wouldn’t meet a nicer man. He’s come on and produced a second of magic.”
Guardiola conceded that Arsenal had been the higher workforce in a post-match interview.
“It’s troublesome to analyse with all that’s occurred this week. We play video games like United and within the Champions League on Thursday, and now at present. The groups are like so highly effective in all elements,” Guardiola advised Sky Sports activities.
“[It’s] so troublesome while you’re not efficient or excessive urgent and also you’re not efficient in build-up.”
He added, “I believe the result’s truthful. However generally, Arsenal had been higher.”
Elsewhere within the Premier League on Sunday, Aston Villa ended their purpose drought however nonetheless couldn’t beat 10-man Sunderland in a 1-1 draw.
Matty Money blasted a swerving shot from 25 metres (82 ft) that Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs might solely parry into his personal internet within the 67th minute, giving Villa their first purpose after 5 video games within the league.
Nevertheless, Sunderland – taking part in with 10 males from the thirty third minute after Reinildo’s purple card for kicking out at Money – equalised within the seventy fifth minute via Wilson Isidor to depart Villa with out a victory and third from backside.
In the meantime, Newcastle rotated their workforce after a Champions League loss to Barcelona on Thursday and struggled to create many clear-cut possibilities in a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.
It meant Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe, who used to educate Bournemouth, has not overwhelmed his former facet in seven makes an attempt.
