Gabriel Martinelli struck deep into stoppage time to rescue Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester City, while Aston Villa’s winless run stretched to five games after a frustrating stalemate at 10-man Sunderland.
City looked set to inflict Arsenal’s second league defeat of the season after Erling Haaland’s brilliant counter-attacking opener inside nine minutes. The Norwegian, already on 13 goals this season, started the move inside his own half before racing onto Tijjani Reijnders’ return pass and slotting beyond David Raya.
Pep Guardiola’s side appeared in control, buoyed by the commanding presence of new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, who denied Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze with key saves. Guardiola even sacrificed Haaland and Phil Foden in the second half to reinforce his defence, but that tactical gamble backfired.
In the 93rd minute, Martinelli latched onto Eze’s lofted pass and produced a looping finish over Donnarumma, sparking wild celebrations at the Emirates. The result leaves Arsenal second in the table, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, while City sit ninth, eight points off the pace.
Villa’s Identity Crisis
Elsewhere, Aston Villa’s struggles continued with a 1-1 draw at Sunderland despite playing against 10 men for nearly an hour. Reinildo Mandava’s dismissal on 33 minutes handed Villa a golden chance, and Matty Cash’s long-range strike finally ended their four-game goal drought.
But the hosts hit back quickly through Wilson Isidor, who capitalised on Granit Xhaka’s defensive header to score his third goal in as many home matches.
Villa boss Unai Emery lamented his team’s lack of conviction: “It should have been easier to take advantage, but we were not playing with our identity, with the ideas we have been building in the last three years,” he admitted.
The draw leaves Villa in the bottom three with just three points from five games, while newly promoted Sunderland continue to impress, climbing to seventh.
Newcastle, meanwhile, extended their own barren run in front of goal, drawing 0-0 at Bournemouth — their third goalless away draw of the season — following Thursday’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
