Martinelli’s late strike rescues Arsenal against Manchester City

KATHMANDU: Gabriel Martinelli scored in the third minute of injury time to earn Arsenal a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

City had taken the lead as early as the ninth minute when Erling Haaland found the net following a swift counter-attack set up by Tijjani Reijnders. Pep Guardiola’s side then adopted a defensive approach to protect their advantage.

Arsenal introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze in the second half, but the immediate impact was limited.

However, deep into stoppage time, Eze lofted a pass over City’s defense, and Martinelli finished calmly to salvage a crucial point for the Gunners.

With the draw, Arsenal climb to second in the Premier League table with 10 points, five behind leaders and defending champions Liverpool. Manchester City, meanwhile, remain in ninth with seven points.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Bournemouth and Newcastle United played out a goalless draw.

Despite creating several chances, neither side could find the breakthrough, leaving Newcastle winless in three straight away matches.

In another fixture, Sunderland and Aston Villa also shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Matty Cash put Villa ahead in the 67th minute, but Wilson Isidor equalized for Sunderland in the 75th.

The home side were reduced to 10 men earlier when Reinildo Mandava received a red card in the 33rd minute.