In a massive clash that shook up the top of the table, Arsenal managed to snatch a 1-1 draw against Manchester City thanks to a stunning stoppage-time goal from super-sub Gabriel Martinelli. 

While the point was a huge psychological boost for Arsenal, it was Liverpool who benefited most, now holding a five-point lead in the title race. 

City scored early through Erling Haaland, but Pep Guardiola then implemented an ultra-defensive approach—leading to a career-low 32.8% possession—that ultimately couldn’t hold out against Arsenal’s second-half surge, which was sparked by the introduction of Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. 

This result puts pressure on City to overcome their worst league start in two decades and keeps the rivalry between Arteta and Guardiola perfectly balanced.

Manchester City started clinically, with striker Erling Haaland continuing his explosive form by scoring his seventh goal in six games this season in just the ninth minute. 

Following the strike, however, Guardiola’s strategy changed entirely. 

City retreated, opting for a deep-lying defensive block to conserve energy after a demanding week of fixtures. 

The defensive posture resulted in a staggering statistic.

City ended the match with only 32.8% possession, the lowest share ever recorded by a Guardiola-managed team in 601 top-flight league matches across his career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City. 

Guardiola later cited pure exhaustion, even admitting that Haaland was substituted in the 76th minute because the player asked to come off. 

The draw leaves City on a mere seven points from five games—their worst league start in 20 years, dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

For Arsenal, the first half was defined by control without penetration. 

Pundits were quick to criticize Mikel Arteta’s defensive midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, and Declan Rice, arguing the conservative setup wasted valuable attacking time. 

Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher called the opening 45 minutes “a waste”. 

Recognizing the problem, Arteta made a double change at halftime, introducing pace and creativity in Eberechi Eze and the returning Bukayo Saka. 

The switch immediately sparked the Gunners’ attack, and they eventually found a deserved equalizer deep into injury time. 

Eze lofted a pass over the fatigued City back line for Martinelli, who executed a brilliant 93rd-minute lob over the goalkeeper. 

The goal underlined the Brazilian’s value from the bench; it was the second time in five days he had contributed a goal or assist after coming on, following his crucial goal and assist in the midweek Champions League win over Athletic Bilbao.

While the point moves Arsenal to 10 points and keeps them second, the five-point gap to Liverpool means they cannot afford any further slip-ups. 

The result does maintain an interesting personal rivalry statistic.

Arteta is now unbeaten in his last five league matches against his former mentor, Pep Guardiola.

Looking ahead, Arsenal must navigate a tough away fixture against Newcastle United next weekend, and they will likely do so without their captain, Martin Odegaard, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. 

Meanwhile, City’s priority will be addressing their squad fitness and injury woes as they look to overcome their poor start and mount a serious challenge to Liverpool’s early dominance. 

The draw will be remembered for the historical tactical shift by City and the depth of Arsenal’s squad, proving that the title race is already a game of fine margins.