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Substitute Martinelli fires Arsenal to late win over Manchester City

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2023

Substitute Martinelli fires Arsenal to late win over Manchester City

ARSENAL substitute Gabriel Martinelli fired a deflected last-gasp winner to earn a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.

It was a result that moved Mikel Arteta’s side level on points with North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, atop the Premier League.

The Gunners came into the match having not beaten Manchester City in the league since 2015, a run of 15 games – their longest winless streak against a single opponent in league history.

Ending such a barren run looked unlikely as Manchester City had the better of the chances in the first half, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice clearing off the line to keep the champions at bay.

The hosts did not have a single shot on target in the opening period, but upped the tempo after the break.

Even though Manchester City still created the better openings despite their Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland being kept quiet all afternoon.

The game appeared to be edging towards a stalemate before Martinelli struck four minutes from time, a deflection off City defender Nathan Ake’s head taking the ball past keeper Ederson.

The goal sparked wild celebrations at the Emirates, as Arsenal moved above City into second place on 20 points, two above the champions, and trailing Spurs only on goals scored.

“It is a great feeling. We have not beaten them for so long, but I am in no doubt we have beaten the best team in the world.

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“I am really proud to be part of this team. We have to keep believing in what we are doing,” Arteta said.

Arsenal were dealt a huge blow ahead of kickoff as it was confirmed the injured Bukayo Saka would miss a league game for the first time since May 2021.

This meant Saka ended a run of 87 consecutive appearances, the longest ongoing streak in the competition.

Without the flying forward, Arsenal looked sluggish early on, with City’s Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol denied by Rice’s intervention, while Julian Alvarez almost diverted Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya’s hesitant clearance into the net.

The crowd did try to rouse a response from Arsenal, cheering every flying tackle with gusto, and it seemed to help matters, with the hosts growing into the contest.

Promising openings fell flat, however, as Arsenal failed to have a shot on target in the opening half of a Premier League home game for the first time since March 2022.

Martinelli’s introduction livened things up though and he soon had the Gunners’ first effort on target in the match, a fierce strike straight at Ederson.

With the international break to follow, the life seemed to be sucked out of the game before Martinelli broke Manchester City hearts.

It was a timely strike, ensuring Arsenal have yet to lose a Premier League game this season, last going on a longer unbeaten run to start a campaign in 2007/2008.

While Manchester City slipped to back-to-back league defeats for the first time since December 2018.

“Congratulations to Arsenal. Now we have two defeats in a row and then we have the internationals.

“Hopefully they (the players) come back fit and then we go again.

“Maybe it’s a little bit better to be there (in the chasing pack) and see what we have to do to catch them and then (we will) when we come back,” Manchester coach Pep Guardiola said.

Substitute Martinelli fires Arsenal to late win over Manchester City

(NAN)

Related Topics:Arsenal Manchester City Martinelli

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Kylian Mbappe Suffers Knee Injury as Real Madrid’s Title Chase Takes a Hit

Published

4 hours ago

December 31, 2025

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Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe Suffers Knee Injury as Real Madrid’s Title Chase Takes a Hit

Real Madrid have confirmed that star forward Kylian Mbappe has suffered a left knee sprain, dealing a significant blow to the club’s bid to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Spanish giants said medical tests conducted by the club revealed the extent of the injury.

“After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid’s medical services, he was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee. Awaiting evolution,” the club said.

Although Real Madrid did not provide a timeline for his recovery, a source close to the France international told AFP that the 27-year-old striker is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

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Mbappe is now a major doubt for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Betis, which marks Los Blancos’ first league match after the winter break, as they trail Barcelona by four points in the title race.

The injury could also rule Mbappe out of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia on January 8, as well as upcoming fixtures against Levante in the league and a Champions League showdown with former club Monaco.

The setback comes after a remarkable 2025 calendar year for Mbappe, during which he equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record of 59 goals in a year. His form has been crucial for Madrid, often carrying the team and easing pressure on under-fire head coach Xabi Alonso.

Kylian Mbappe Suffers Knee Injury as Real Madrid’s Title Chase Takes a Hit

Sports

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

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12 hours ago

December 31, 2025

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AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has praised Victor Osimhen for his outstanding leadership and all-round performance as Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated Uganda’s Cranes 3–1 in their final Group C match at the ongoing AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Osimhen, who was named vice-captain of the Super Eagles to Wilfred Ndidi ahead of the tournament, captained the side on Tuesday in Fes, a day after celebrating his 27th birthday. Although the Galatasaray striker did not score in the encounter, he played a decisive role in Nigeria’s emphatic victory.

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Speaking as a colour commentator during the live broadcast, Oliseh—who captained Nigeria at the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations—said he was impressed by Osimhen’s rare leadership qualities and selfless approach to the game.

“I’m really impressed with Osimhen; he’s really playing as a captain and I’m really loving it,” Oliseh said, while offering tactical insights and expert analysis during the match.

The former midfielder further commended the striker’s attitude on the pitch, noting: “Despite being the top striker and captain, he has been so unselfish in this match.”

Osimhen, who previously featured for Nigeria at the 2019 and 2023 AFCON tournaments, opened his goal account at the 2025 AFCON in Saturday’s thrilling 3–2 victory over Tunisia’s Eagles of Carthage, further underlining his importance to the Super Eagles’ campaign.

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

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Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

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12 hours ago

December 31, 2025

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Anthony Joshua accident scene

Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

The Sagamu community in Ogun State and the family of former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, have been thrown into deep shock following a fatal road accident involving the boxing star on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, reportedly claimed two lives, while Anthony Joshua escaped with minor injuries. The accident involved a Lexus SUV conveying the boxer, with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck along the busy highway.

According to findings, Joshua, who was seated at the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and was subsequently taken to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where he is currently receiving treatment.

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Joshua, an indigene of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, hails from the Ijokun area of Sagamu. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday at the family residence, his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, described the incident as a “rude shock” that has left both the family and the wider Sagamu community devastated.

“The whole community is still in shock. Nobody ever imagined that something this terrible could happen to our son, especially during this festive period when families are meant to come together and rejoice,” he said.

While expressing gratitude to God for sparing the life of Anthony Joshua and the driver, the family mourned the tragic death of two close friends and trainers of the boxer who lost their lives in the crash.