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Martinelli’s goal gives Arsenal 1-1 draw against Man City

Published

5 months ago

September 22, 2025

Martinelli’s goal gives Arsenal 1-1 draw against Man City

Arsenal drew with Manchester City in a hard-fought Premier League game, thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer from substitute Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli has made an impact off the bench for the second time in a row, after scoring and assisting against Athletic Club in the Champions League in midweek.

Following Tuesday’s success in Bilbao, Arteta stated that his “finishers could be more important” than the starting XI, and that conviction was reinforced at Emirates Stadium.

On Sunday, the Gunners fell behind in the ninth minute after Erling Haaland rolled past David Raya following a blistering City counterattack.

Arsenal battled for an equalizer for much of the second half and was rewarded with Martinelli’s dinked finish in the 93rd minute.

Arteta picked a midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino, and the Gunners struggled to produce any noteworthy chances before the break, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka, who had returned from hamstring injuries, were introduced at the start of the second half, and the hosts immediately began to play with greater vigor.

Zubimendi fired just over from the edge of the box, and Eze pushed Donnarumma into a great stop as Arsenal sought a leveler.

However, City continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Belgium winger Jeremy Doku serving as their primary outlet.

In the closing stages, City manager Pep Guardiola replied to Arsenal’s threat by switching to a back five as the visitors attempted to maintain their lead.

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However, Martinelli grabbed onto Eze’s injury-time through pass and lifted his effort over the onrushing Donnarumma, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Arteta is currently the only manager to have gone five games unbeaten against Guardiola in his managerial career.

The Gunners came into this game fresh off a stunning win in Bilbao, when the substitutes’ bench made the difference—and it was the ‘finishers’ who saved a point on Sunday.

Arsenal spent £250 million this summer, giving Arteta plenty of options when things don’t go his way, but his team selection in critical games will be crucial if the Gunners are to win a trophy this season.

After starting with the same central midfield (Zubimendi, Rice, and Merino) as in midweek, it was evident early in the first half that Arsenal needed more attacking flair on the field.

The same trio also started the 1-0 loss to Liverpool, prompting criticism of Arteta’s conservative attitude when facing some of their opponents.

The home fans in the stadium got increasingly irritated with their team’s lack of inventiveness, despite Noni Madueke’s efforts, who was the most dangerous player in the first half.

Arteta brought on Eze and Saka at the break, and the impact was apparent, as Arsenal upped the ante and managed to pen City in for lengthy spells.

Martinelli has had an amazing week, scoring two crucial goals in two games following a rough period in his career.

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However, Arteta will continue to face questions about why his team cannot begin matches in the same manner in which they have finished the last two.

City’s world-class striker Haaland is in amazing form, and it appeared that his efforts would be enough to win the game until Martinelli’s late intervention.

The 25-year-old leads the league’s scoring statistics with six goals in five games, having also scored in the Champions League on Thursday and six more for Norway in recent international fixtures.

City’s early goal on the counterattack demonstrated the ruthlessness that Guardiola’s team will need this season, but dropping two points places them eight points behind leaders Liverpool.

The champions are top and have won all five of their games so far, so it was critical that City, who have already lost twice, did not drop any points and lose ground early in the season, but they were unable to complete the task at Emirates Stadium.

Haaland began and finished the play for their goal, recovering the ball in his own half, exchanging passes with the galloping Tijjani Reijnders, and scoring low past Raya’s grasp.

In the first half, City pressed Arsenal high up the pitch and forced mistakes, with Reijnders nearly increasing the lead but having a low shot saved by Raya.

Guardiola was content to sit back and try to finish the game in the second half, opting for a 5-5-0 configuration with Nathan Ake as an additional defender and replacing Haaland with holding midfielder Nico Gonzalez.

However, with time running out, substitute Martinelli’s exquisite finish salvaged a draw that will leave neither City nor the Gunners content, as an ominous-looking Liverpool side leads by five points after as many games.

Martinelli’s goal gives Arsenal 1-1 draw against Man City

Related Topics:Arsenal Man City Martinelli

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Manchester City Defeat Fulham 3‑0 to Narrow Gap on Arsenal

Published

15 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Manchester City Stun Liverpool at Anfield with 93rd-Minute Winner

Manchester City Defeat Fulham 3‑0 to Narrow Gap on Arsenal

Manchester City delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday, defeating Fulham 3‑0 at the Etihad Stadium to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points. The victory strengthens City’s bid for the 2025‑26 title and underscores their growing momentum as the season approaches its critical stages.

City dominated from the outset, taking control of the match through quick, precise passing and relentless pressure in Fulham’s defensive third. The opener came in the 24th minute when Antoine Semenyo finished clinically after a sustained City attack, giving the home side an early advantage. Six minutes later, Nico O’Reilly doubled City’s lead with a composed finish following a slick team move, leaving Fulham struggling to respond.

The contest was effectively sealed in the 39th minute as Erling Haaland struck a powerful shot into the bottom corner, marking his 153rd goal for Manchester City and moving him joint-fourth on the club’s all-time scoring list. Haaland’s goal also ended his open-play league goal drought, boosting City’s confidence heading into the run-in.

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Fulham offered little resistance, with their best early chance denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma, City’s goalkeeper. Despite sporadic pressure late in the game, the visitors failed to breach City’s well-organized defence, leaving the home team in complete control throughout the 90 minutes.

With the win, Manchester City climb to 53 points from 26 matches, sitting just behind Arsenal, who retain a game in hand. Fulham remain mid-table on 34 points, struggling to find consistency in recent fixtures.

City’s performance showcased attacking cohesion, defensive solidity, and tactical discipline, giving manager Pep Guardiola a strong platform as his side intensifies their Premier League title challenge. With over a dozen matches remaining, the narrowing gap sets up an intense battle for the top spot between the two Manchester rivals’ challengers.

Manchester City Defeat Fulham 3‑0 to Narrow Gap on Arsenal

Sports

Liverpool Edge Sunderland 1-0 to Halt Impressive Home Streak

Published

16 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Liverpool Edge Sunderland 1-0 to Halt Impressive Home Streak

Liverpool brought an end to Sunderland’s unbeaten home run with a hard-fought 1-0 win in a tightly contested encounter that underlined the visitors’ title ambitions.

In front of a packed stadium, Sunderland came into the match boasting an impressive home record, having gone several games without defeat on their own turf. However, Liverpool’s discipline, tactical organisation and cutting edge in the final third proved decisive.

The breakthrough came after sustained pressure from the Reds, who dominated possession for large spells while Sunderland remained compact and dangerous on the counterattack. A well-worked move eventually unlocked the hosts’ defence, with Liverpool capitalising on a defensive lapse to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

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Despite going behind, Sunderland responded with urgency and intensity, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. The home side created a handful of promising chances, but Liverpool’s defence held firm, with the goalkeeper producing key saves to preserve the slender lead.

The victory not only ended Sunderland’s strong home streak but also strengthened Liverpool’s position in the league standings as the season approaches a crucial phase.

Managerial reactions after the match reflected the contest’s intensity. Liverpool’s bench praised the team’s resilience and game management, while Sunderland acknowledged the disappointment of seeing their unbeaten home run come to an end but vowed to bounce back quickly.

With the result, Liverpool continue their push at the top end of the table, while Sunderland will look to regroup and rediscover their formidable form at home in their next fixture.

Liverpool Edge Sunderland 1-0 to Halt Impressive Home Streak

Sports

Why CAF May Postpone 2027 AFCON

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Why CAF May Postpone 2027 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly considering postponing the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 2028 due to delays in stadium construction, logistical challenges, and scheduling conflicts across the three East African host nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The CAF executive committee is expected to meet soon in Dar es Salaam to discuss the potential delay and the future of the tournament.

The 2027 edition, nicknamed the “Pamoja” AFCON, is set to be the first co-hosted by three countries and will feature 24 national teams. Originally scheduled for June–July 2027, CAF has expressed concerns that the hosts may not complete critical stadium and training facility upgrades, raising questions about their ability to meet CAF’s strict standards for safety, broadcasting, and operational readiness.

Why CAF Is Considering a Postponement

According to reports, CAF’s potential delay is driven by several key factors:

Infrastructure Challenges: Stadiums and training facilities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda still require upgrades to meet CAF and FIFA standards.
Operational Concerns: Security, ticketing, and logistical challenges observed during the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) highlight risks of hosting a larger-scale tournament.

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Scheduling Conflicts: The 2027 AFCON timeline overlaps with 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other international fixtures, complicating player release and team preparations.

CAF has deployed technical inspection teams to assess major venues across the three host nations. These include Kasarani, Nyayo, and Talanta Stadiums in Kenya, Benjamin Mkapa and Arusha Samia Suluhu Stadiums in Tanzania, and Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium in Uganda. The inspections aim to ensure the stadiums meet CAF safety, capacity, and broadcasting standards.

Host Nations’ Response

Despite concerns, host countries remain confident. Tanzania and Kenya have highlighted ongoing renovations and improvements, while Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring readiness. Officials say they are working closely with CAF to meet all tournament requirements in time.

Implications of a Postponement

If the 2027 AFCON is postponed:

National Team Schedules would need adjustment, impacting qualifiers and preparation for other CAF competitions.
Commercial Agreements and sponsorship deals may require renegotiation to align with new dates.
The delay could coincide with CAF’s broader calendar restructuring, including the launch of the African Nations League, aimed at increasing competitive opportunities for African players.

CAF is expected to release an official statement following the executive committee meeting, confirming whether the tournament will proceed as planned or be postponed to 2028.