Martinelli hits late winner as Arsenal beat Man City

6 months ago 78

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Last updated on 3 minutes ago.From the section Premier League

Gabriel Martinelli's late strike deflected in off Nathan Ake

Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic late winner as Arsenal earned a statement victory over defending Premier League champions Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.

A largely disappointing game was given a stunning finale four minutes from time just as both sides looked certain to have to settle for a point.

Making his return from a hamstring injury as a substitute, Martinelli's strike deflected in off Nathan Ake to earn Arsenal a first league win over City since December 2015.

It was a moment that sparked wild celebrations and put the Gunners level on points with north London rivals Tottenham at the top of the table.

The biggest talking point until the goal was how Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic somehow stayed on the pitch after successive late tackles on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

City had the better early opportunities when Rice cleared off the line from Josko Gvardiol before Ake scooped a shot over the bar from close range.

Arsenal keeper David Raya, who had an uncertain time, was twice almost caught in possession on his line by Julian Alvarez.

But it was the home side who were elated as Martinelli, introduced off the bench for the second half, made that vital contribution.

Follow reaction to Sunday's Premier League action How did you rate Arsenal's performance? Have your say here What did you make of Manchester City's display? Send us your views here

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Arsenal

Squad number22Player nameRaya

Squad number4Player nameWhite

Squad number2Player nameSaliba

Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães

Squad number35Player nameZinchenko

Squad number8Player nameØdegaard

Squad number20Player nameJorginho

Squad number41Player nameRice

Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus

Squad number14Player nameNketiah

Squad number19Player nameTrossard

Squad number5Player namePartey

Squad number11Player nameGabriel Martinelli

Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu

Squad number29Player nameHavertz

Manchester City

Squad number31Player nameEderson

Squad number2Player nameWalker

Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias

Squad number6Player nameAké

Squad number24Player nameGvardiol

Squad number82Player nameLewis

Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva

Squad number8Player nameKovacic

Squad number19Player nameÁlvarez

Squad number9Player nameHaaland

Squad number47Player nameFoden

Squad number5Player nameStones

Squad number11Player nameDoku

Squad number27Player nameMatheus Nunes

Line-ups

Arsenal

Formation 4-3-3

22Raya4White2Saliba6Gabriel35ZinchenkoSubstituted forTomiyasuat 75'minutes8Ødegaard20JorginhoBooked at 11minsSubstituted forParteyat 75'minutes41Rice9Gabriel JesusBooked at 90mins14NketiahSubstituted forHavertzat 75'minutes19TrossardSubstituted forMartinelliat 45'minutes

Substitutes

1Ramsdale5Partey10Smith Rowe11Martinelli15Kiwior18Tomiyasu21Fábio Vieira24Nelson29Havertz

Man City

Formation 4-3-3

31EdersonBooked at 90mins2Walker3Rúben Dias6Aké24Gvardiol82LewisSubstituted forStonesat 68'minutes20Bernardo SilvaBooked at 23mins8KovacicBooked at 29minsSubstituted forNunesat 68'minutes19ÁlvarezSubstituted forDokuat 68'minutes9Haaland47Foden

Substitutes

4Phillips5Stones10Grealish11Doku18Ortega21Gómez25Akanji27Nunes52Bobb

Referee:Michael Oliver

Attendance:60,233

Live Text

Match ends, Arsenal 1, Manchester City 0.

Second Half ends, Arsenal 1, Manchester City 0.

Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.

Ederson (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.

Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).

Goal! Arsenal 1, Manchester City 0. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kai Havertz.

Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Jérémy Doku.

Substitution, Arsenal. Thomas Partey replaces Jorginho.

Substitution, Arsenal. Kai Havertz replaces Eddie Nketiah.

Substitution, Arsenal. Takehiro Tomiyasu replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Attempt missed. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gabriel Martinelli.

Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Ben White.

Foul by Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Manchester City. Jérémy Doku replaces Julián Álvarez.

Substitution, Manchester City. Matheus Nunes replaces Mateo Kovacic.

Substitution, Manchester City. John Stones replaces Rico Lewis.

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