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Arsenal Misses Opportunity Against Manchester City

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Late equalizer cancels out Haaland's Strike



Arsenal and Manchester City battle to a 1-1 draw with Erling Haaland's early goal canceled out by Gabriel Martinelli's late strike.


Haaland's goal showcased his exceptional speed and finishing ability, leaving the Arsenal defense struggling to keep pace...


Arsenal's unbeaten Premier League run against Manchester City, dating back to April 2023, was on the line when the two teams clashed at the Emirates Stadium. The home crowd was expectant, and a win would have solidified Arsenal's position just behind league leaders Liverpool. However, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Gabriel Martinelli's late equalizer canceling out Erling Haaland's early goal for City.


For Arsenal, the draw means they missed an opportunity to take a stronger grip on second place. Meanwhile, Manchester City could have jumped to fifth place with a win, but the point earned keeps them in contention. The result highlights the competitive nature of the Premier League, with both teams showing resilience and quality.



Haaland's Early Strike Silences the Emirates

William Saliba's return to the starting lineup boosted Arsenal's chances, given his impressive stats since debuting in the Premier League in August 2022. With Saliba in the lineup, the Gunners have won 68% of their games (70/103), significantly outperforming their win rate without him (47%, 7/15). However, Arsenal's game plan seemed to go awry when Erling Haaland broke through the static Arsenal defense and scored with aplomb just nine minutes into the game, marking the first shot on target.


Haaland's goal showcased his exceptional speed and finishing ability, leaving the Arsenal defense struggling to keep pace. Despite Saliba's overall strong performance, the team's defensive strategy appeared vulnerable to Haaland's pace, ultimately leading to the early goal. The match's progression would depend on Arsenal's ability to adapt and respond to Haaland's impact.




Erling Haaland's impressive performance against Arsenal marked his fifth goal in just seven games against the Gunners. This achievement also signifies his sixth goal of the 2025/26 campaign. Furthermore, Haaland has now scored in three consecutive games, his longest streak in the Premier League for a year.


Haaland's early strike in the match was notable, as it represented one of the fastest goals Arsenal has conceded in the top flight. Interestingly, it was reminiscent of a similar incident in September 2024 when Haaland scored in the ninth minute. This pattern highlights Haaland's consistent threat to Arsenal's defense.


Arsenal's Shift in Momentum

After Manchester City took the lead, Arsenal faced a tough challenge, given City's impressive record of remaining unbeaten in their last 31 Premier League games when scoring within the first 10 minutes, with 28 wins and 3 draws. However, the Gunners began to assert their dominance, taking control of possession with 68.3% of the ball after half an hour of play.


Jurrien Timber showcased his defensive prowess, winning four tackles, the most of any player on the pitch at that time. This intense display seemed to unsettle Manchester City, as Arsenal's pressure began to mount. Timber's stats highlight his growing influence on the team's performance, particularly in defensive situations.


Arsenal's attacking woes continued as they failed to register a shot on goal until the 32-minute mark, a rare occurrence in the Premier League. This was the first time since April 2021, in a match against Liverpool, that Arsenal had gone past the half-hour mark without attempting a shot. The team's inability to trouble Gianluigi Donnarumma in the City goal left them struggling to create scoring opportunities.


At halftime, Arsenal trailed behind, facing a challenging task to turn the game around. Their recent record in such situations has been concerning, with no wins in their last 12 Premier League games where they've been behind at the break, drawing 6 and losing 6.




Arsenal's Second-Half Surge

In the second half, Arsenal came out strong, forcing Manchester City to adopt a more defensive approach. The Gunners seized control of possession and ball manipulation, creating scoring opportunities. In the 10 minutes following halftime, Arsenal had six shots at goal, showcasing their determination to turn the game around and put pressure on City's defense.


Manchester City's possession stats were unusually low, averaging just 32% in the first hour of the game. This marks the lowest possession average for a Pep Guardiola team in a top-flight league match since playing Arsenal at the Emirates in February 2023 (36.5%).


Arsenal's attacking play was characterized by consistent pressure on the City box, with 39 touches in the penalty area compared to just seven from the visitors. This disparity highlights the difference in approach between the two teams during the match.


Declan Rice's Impact on Arsenal's Attack

Declan Rice's exceptional performance was instrumental in Arsenal's attacking plays, with 14 line-breaking passes that outnumbered any other player on both teams by six. His precise passing created space for his teammates to maneuver, particularly benefiting Riccardo Calafiori, who had seven touches in the Manchester City box. Calafiori's movements, combined with Rice's accuracy, showcased their developing partnership and contributed significantly to Arsenal's offensive strategy.


Meanwhile, Arsenal's recent form has seen Viktor Gyokeres starting for the team, but there's no information available on his current status or any potential service issues related to him. Declan Rice's influence on the game extends beyond his passing ability, as his overall performance has been crucial to Arsenal's success this season.


Arsenal's attacking efforts were widespread, with 10 shots coming from seven different players in the final 15 minutes. However, one notable absence from the shooting statistics was Viktor Gyokeres, who had been quiet throughout the match. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, the Swedish striker failed to take a shot on goal, highlighting the lack of service he received from his teammates.


Mikel Arteta's frustration with Gyokeres' performance was palpable, but interestingly, it was Pep Guardiola who was booked for dissent instead. Arteta attributed Gyokeres' struggles to the team's inability to provide him with sufficient service, stating, “There were lots of good balls into the box, and I remember three times when he was very close to scoring. It's very hard to get big chances, but he's trying his best. We have to give him more support.”


Martinelli's Impact

Gabriel Martinelli, introduced as a late substitute for Arsenal, made a significant impact on the game. He has a notable record against Manchester City, having either scored or assisted in three of his last four Premier League matches against them. Martinelli's influence was evident in injury time when he controlled a ball fired over the City defense by Eberechi Eze and skillfully lofted it over Gianluigi Donnarumma's outstretched frame, securing a point for Arsenal.


This moment highlighted Martinelli's ability to change the course of a game, even when introduced from the bench. His performance against Manchester City showcases his understanding with his teammates and his clinical finishing ability, which has been a thorn in City's side in recent encounters.




Eberechi Eze's impressive form continued with his fourth goal contribution in his last four Premier League home games, tallying two goals and two assists. This recent performance adds to his growing tally of 25 top-flight assists, showcasing his exceptional talent on the field.


Gabriel Martinelli has become a thorn in Manchester City's side under Pep Guardiola, directly contributing to four top-flight goals against them - two goals and two assists. This achievement makes him the most impactful Arsenal player against City since the 2016/2017 season, Guardiola's first season at the helm.


Doku's Impressive Display

Jeremy Doku's performance was a highlight for Manchester City, despite the team ultimately dropping points. He had an all-action display, successfully completing five of seven dribbles, winning 13 one-on-ones, and regaining possession five times. Doku also completed 16 of 19 passes and had a notable number of touches in the Arsenal box, showcasing his attacking prowess.


The draw suits neither team, and both City and Arsenal will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures against Burnley and Newcastle, respectively. City will be disappointed to have dropped points so late in the game, but Doku's form could be a positive sign for their future matches.



Key Statistics

Possession: Manchester City recorded their lowest ever possession average under Pep Guardiola in a top-flight league match, with 32.8% possession.

Arsenal's Struggle: The Gunners had only one shot on target in the first half and lacked creativity in midfield.

Martinelli's Impact: Gabriel Martinelli has now been directly involved in four top-flight goals against Manchester City since 2016/17, more than any other Arsenal player.

Haaland's Form: Erling Haaland has either scored or assisted seven of Manchester City's last nine Premier League goals against Arsenal.



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