Four things we learnt as Gabriel Martinelli earns draw for Arsenal in seismic Man City clash

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 21/09/2025

- 18:34

ANALYSIS: GB News sports editor Jack Otway takes a look at Sunday's showdown at the Emirates Stadium

Gabriel Martinelli was the hero for Arsenal on Sunday, with the winger coming off the bench to secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

Erling Haaland, who has started the season typically well in front of goal, converted in the ninth minute for City after being played through by Tijjani Reijnders.


But Martinelli came off the bench to earn Arsenal a draw, with the Brazil international dinking the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma to spark wild celebrations around the Emirates Stadium.

GB News will now take a look at the action and bring you four observations from the clash in north London.

Haaland puts Gyokeres to shame

Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon in the summer hopeful that he'd be the difference when it comes to the Gunners winning a first Premier League title since 2004.

But it was Haaland, rather than the Swede, who impressed during Sunday's match with the Norway international a constant threat throughout.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg star took his goal brilliantly, producing a composed finish to beat David Raya and silence the home crowd.

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Erling Haaland Man City Arsenal

Erling Haaland scored early for Man City against Arsenal

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REUTERS

He should have had a second, too, only for Raya to deny the City hitman just as he was bearing down in front of goal.

Haaland now has six league goals already and we're not even at the end of September yet.

If City are to win back the title lost to fierce rivals Liverpool last term, then the Norway international will undoubtedly be key for Pep Guardiola's side.

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Arteta gets it wrong before getting it right

Mikel Arteta Arsenal Man City

Mikel Arteta got his tactics wrong before redeeming himself as Arsenal earned a draw against Man City

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REUTERS

Arteta's tactics are usually spot on. Therefore, it was surprising to see the Arsenal boss get it wrong at the start - though he did later redeem himself.

His starting XI was a cautious one, with the Spaniard choosing to go with a midfield three of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

But that restricted Arsenal, who looked devoid of creativity in the first 45 minutes of the match.

Without a doubt, the Gunners were significantly better once they introduced some attacking players off the bench.

Eberechi Eze caused City problems, while Bukayo Saka provided his usual threat from the right after coming on for Noni Madueke.

And Martinelli, of course, warranted his introduction with one of the biggest goals of his Arsenal career.

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Martinelli can use goal as a springboard

Martinelli hasn't always been a guaranteed starter for Arsenal.

Following his lively cameo off the bench, however, the Samba star must now use it as a catalist and make the left wing spot his own.

Madueke was subdued, surprisingly, having started well following his move from Chelsea back in the summer.

With Martinelli also scoring against Athletic Bilbao in midweek, he'll now be eyeing a regular run in the team.

Guardiola's men silencing their critics despite late leveller

Pep Guardiola Man City

Pep Guardiola's Man City have silenced some of their critics with their recent performances

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REUTERS

City's season didn't start well.

They were below-par when they lost to Tottenham and again when they were beaten by Brighton before the international break.

Since then, however, they've silenced their critics with some promising performances.

City have beaten Manchester United and Napoli, while also drawing against Arsenal. Those fixtures aren't easy and maybe, just maybe, they've turned a corner after all despite being pegged back at the death on Sunday.