Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal salvages a point for Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal cancels out Erling Haaland’s early strike as Arsenal and Manchester City battle to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Sunday evening.

The host bossed possession in the early stages of the match, but Haaland’s early goal spoilt their blushes.

The striker got his 20th goal in London, 11 minutes into the game, as Tijjani Reijnders set him on goal after his impressive sprint from the halfway line to the box before passing it to the Norwegian, who found the bottom left corner.

Reijnders had the opportunity to get a goal himself after play began from Merino’s loose ball; then he shot from the edge of the box, and he was well denied by David Raya.

Arsenal soon got a chance to draw level from Noni Madueke’s header, as Declan Rice’s ball to him was headed off target from close range.

A minute later, the Gunners appealed for a penalty after Haaland shoved Jurrien Timber on the back in the box, but VAR was quick to disregard their pleas.

In the 39th minute, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri had the chance to double the visitors’ lead after Jeremy Doku’s brilliant move into the box found him, but he blasted his effort over the bar.

As the break drew closer, the Gunners also came closer to scoring with Calafiori, who attempted to catch Donnarumma off his line after parrying away Madueke’s cross, but the Italian defender could not hit the target. Madueke also saw his effort saved by the big Italian goalkeeper just before the break.

Mikel Arteta made two changes at the break as Bukayo Saka returned from injury and Eberechi Eze replaced Madueke and Merino.

The Gunners got their best chance of the game as Zubimendi’s shot from the edge of the box took a weak deflection and went over the net.

Donnarumma came to the rescue again in the 50th minute as he palmed Eze’s goal-bound strike away to preserve City’s lead.

At the other end, it was Raya’s time to be called upon as he saved Haaland’s effort from outside the box from a City high-press counterattack.

Trossard came close after his shot bounced off the woodwork to deny the Gunners a leveller, with his rebound finding no Arsenal player.

In the closing stages of the second half, Doku got the chance to seal the victory for the Manchester side after he wiggled his way past the last three defenders into the box, but he could not find the target as he drifted his effort wide past Raya.

Substitute Martinelli finally found the equaliser for the host in stoppage time after he received an aerial ball from Eze, then he lobbed the ball over Donnarumma into the net.

The result leaves Arsenal in second place, five points behind league leaders Liverpool, while Man City slips to ninth.

Arsenal and Manchester City face third-tier sides Port Vale and Huddersfield Town, respectively, in Wednesday’s EFL Cup third-round fixture.

The Gunners travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in their next Premier League game on Sunday, while the Cityzens host newly promoted side Burnley at the Etihad on Saturday.