EPL: Arsenal stun Man City with late Martinelli goal

Arsenal ended their long losing run against Manchester City in the Premier League with a dramatic 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal of the game in the 87th minute with a deflected shot that beat Ederson.

The win lifted Arsenal to the top of the table, level on points with Tottenham, while City dropped to third, two points behind. It was Arsenal’s first league win over City since December 2015 and their first in 13 attempts.

The game was a tight and tense affair, with few clear-cut chances for either side. City dominated possession and territory but struggled to break down Arsenal’s well-organised defense. Arsenal looked dangerous on the counterattack but lacked the final touch.

The decisive moment came in the dying minutes, when Kai Havertz and Martinelli combined to stun City. Havertz laid the ball off for Martinelli, who unleashed a powerful strike from outside the area. The ball took a slight touch off Ake and wrong-footed Ederson, who could not keep it out.

The Emirates Stadium erupted in celebration as Arsenal fans savoured a rare win over their rivals. Martinelli was mobbed by his teammates as he scored his first goal of the season. City players looked dejected as they suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since 2018.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s performance and spirit, saying they deserved the win. He also hailed Martinelli as a “special talent” who can make a difference. City boss Pep Guardiola congratulated Arsenal but lamented his team’s lack of creativity and finishing. He said they need to improve and bounce back after the international break.

Arsenal will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their next league game on October 21, while City will host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on the same day.