Substitute Gabriel Martinelli’s masterful 93rd-minute lob earned Arsenal a draw against Manchester City as the Gunners moved second in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland’s clinical ninth-minute strike looked to have sent City level on points with their opponents and condemned the Gunners to their first home defeat of the season.
“What a MAGICAL finish!” ✨
Gabriel Martinelli equalises for Arsenal in injury-time! pic.twitter.com/dFllxh3eFP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
On in the 80th-minute, Martinelli, who also scored from the bench in his side’s 2-0 Champions League win at Athletic Club on Tuesday, latched on to fellow replacement Eberechi Eze’s pass over the top and stabbed a sublime finish over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Erling Haaland strikes at the Emirates! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/lNK5BBWo0O
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
You can relive 101GreatGoals.com’s live updates from Arsenal vs Man City. Arsenal are next in action away to third-tier Port Vale in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday (20:00 BST), while City visit a team from the same division, Huddersfield Town, that evening (19:45).
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
Arsenal vs Man City: Martinelli goal just in time
City went ahead when two-time top-flight top scorer Haaland sprinted inside the box on the right, collected Tijjani Reijnders’ composed pass as the midfielder charged at a backtracking defence and found the far corner of the net with a rare right-footed finish for his 19th goal in his last 15 club and international appearances.
In an impressive display, new City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s first genuine moment of concern came late in the first half, when the Italy international beat a shot from inside the box away to deny Noni Madueke, who was unfortunate to be one of two Arsenal players taken off at half-time.
The England forward made way alongside Mikel Merino as manager Mikel Arteta enacted a change of momentum, bringing on forwards Bukayo Saka – returning from a hamstring injury – and Eberechi Eze, who was dropped from the side who started in Bilbao.
Eze tested Donnarumma after being teed up by Leandro Trossard, causing the Cityzens to switch to a five-player defence.
Haaland broke through and would have scored again but for David Raya’s save, with Eze hurriedly firing the rebound against Declan Rice, who would have been relieved to see the ball fly just over the bar.
Arsenal have now not won any of their last 13 league games in which they have trailed at half-time, but their seventh draw along the way came in memorable fashion when Martinelli showed superb control and precision to lift the ball over Donnarumma.
Arsenal team vs Man City
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka returned from a hamstring issue on the bench but strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have long-term knee injuries
Midfielder Martin Odegaard has a shoulder injury but Ben White was on the bench, having been a doubt with a knee problem.
William Saliba came back from an ankle injury at centre-half, with Cristhian Mosquera making way.
Trossard, who set up Martinelli’s goal in Bilbao, came in for substitute Eberechi Eze, who was on the bench.
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Noni Madueke, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Manchester City team vs Arsenal
John Stones returned on the bench following a muscular problem for City, who were unchanged for a third straight game.
New signings Rayan Cherki (muscle), Omar Marmoush (knee) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (knock) were still out, as were midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips (both foot).
Manchester City starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland
Man City substitutes: James Trafford, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Divine Mukasa, Rico Lewis
