Gabriel Martinelli's last-gasp equaliser gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, cancelling out Erling Haaland's early goal to give the Gunners a barely-deserved point.
City scored from a rapid counter in the ninth minute, Tijjani Reijnders breaking from deep with Haaland on his shoulder before he played the Norwegian striker in to finish coolly past David Raya.
Arsenal looked short on ideas before a double change at halftime gave them more impetus, substitute Eberechi Eze forcing a sharp save from Gianluigi Donnarumma as the hosts swarmed all over an uncharacteristically defensive City.
City had seemed to have weathered the storm until Martinelli ran on to Eze's speculative ball over the top and produced a superb lob in the 93rd minute to give Arsenal a share of the spoils.
Follow all the reaction from Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City.
Arsenal vs Man City LIVE
- Arsenal play host to Manchester City in a clash of Premier League title hopefuls | Live on Sky Sports, kick-off at 4:30pm
- Mikel Arteta's side thrashed City 5-1 in this fixture last season
- Man City are finding their feet after losing two in their first three games
- Arsenal welcome back numerous key stars as they look to keep on the tail of perfect starters Liverpool
- 90 +3' GOAL! Martinelli clips superb finish over Donnarumma to equalise [ARS 1-1 MCI]
- 57' CLOSE! Eze almost causes freak own goal after Haaland counter [ARS 0-1 MCI]
- 9' GOAL! City grab lead as Haaland finishes superb counter [ARS 0-1 MCI]
- Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard.
- City XI: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Next up
21:30 , Chris WilsonArsenal’s next league game comes against Newcastle, with that match taking place on Sunday, 28 September at 4.30pm. The Gunners have lost their last three visits to St James' Park.
City’s next league match comes at home to Burnley on Saturday, 27 September at 3pm.
'They just wasted 45 minutes'
21:15 , Chris WilsonJamie Carragher is somewhat critical of Arsenal on Sky, explaining that the Gunners “wasted 45 minutes” in the first half with their attacking approach.
“I think Arsenal are a brilliant team, for me the best squad in the Premier League and I thought they would not win comfortably.
“And Arteta has got a team and a squad that are that close to being really, really special in terms of winning a Premier League and maybe even winning a Champions League, I think they are that good.
"But time after time, when it comes to these big games he picks a team that feels like he is thinking more about the opposition.
“Liverpool were there for the taking in that second half at Anfield, Man City were there for the taking at the start of this game and he has allowed them to come into the game and it is just a recurring pattern season after season and if you are Arteta and an Arsemal supporter, you just have to hope that does not cost you at the end of the season as they are a brilliant team with a fantastic squad, but the margins are so small."
Pep Guardiola explains why Man City used counterattacking tactics against Arsenal
20:40 , Chris WilsonManchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlighted “fatigue”, injuries and Arsenal’s quality as reasons for his tactics as his side took an unusually defensive approach in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at the Emirates.
City conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser in the capital after Eberechi Eze’s clipped ball over the top caught out the visitors’ high line before Gabriel Martineli raced clean through to chip over the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
And while City were impressive in their ability to fend off wave after wave of Arsenal attack – with Erling Haaland having opened the scoring with a superb counter in the ninth minute – the visitors invited plenty of Arsenal pressure and registered just 32.8 per cent possession as they took an unusually defensive approach.
Pep Guardiola explains why Man City used counterattacking tactics against Arsenal
How Man City parked the bus and set a new record in Pep Guardiola’s tactical U-turn at Arsenal
20:20 , Chris WilsonIf imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Mikel Arteta should have the warm glow of a man who was complimented and copied. Pep Guardiola’s relationship with his old assistant remains intriguing. He called him “my friend Mikel Arteta” this week and, as those fluent in Guardiola-speak know, anyone described in such terms tends not to actually be his friend.
But this was Guardiola, the manager who changed football, threatening to out-Arteta Arteta. Johan Cruyff’s most celebrated disciple almost emulating not his mentor, but his pupil. He didn’t quite succeed. Guardiola entered injury time on the brink of perhaps the greatest rearguard action of his career. Gabriel Martinelli denied Manchester Citythe least Pep-ish of victories and secured a peculiar kind of parity.
How City parked the bus and set a new record in Pep Guardiola’s tactical U-turn
'I wanted more rewards for the team'
20:10 , Chris Wilson"I don't know, but obviously you cannot win it, at least don't lose it. And we created an unbelievable moment to score the goal,” adds Arteta.
"But the overall feeling, because I know how high this on the pitch against Manchester City, with that level, with a coach, I wanted more rewards for the team,” he says as he finishes.
Arteta reacts
20:00 , Chris WilsonHere’s more from Arteta:
"It's a different kind of goal [to Szoboszlai's winner], but there's always things that we can do better from the beginning, the way we deliver the cross run, we have an overload in the back post to a defended organisation after we made it a bit easy for them, but the speed, the execution, the quality that they have as well, you have to congratulate opponent.
"[I said] Let's continue to a lot of the good things that we are doing, reset mentally, because the game is there for the taking.
"And if we will continue to do that and improve, two things, especially that we have to be better to give ourselves better chances and more momentum, we're going to score the goals, and then we're very close to that."
Arteta reacts
19:50 , Chris Wilson"We cannot control that. They win every match. It's going to be very difficult but if we play at this level, like we did against Manchester City, we will be fine,” says Arteta in his interview.
"I'm very proud of the team. I must say, the way we played, we dominated them and I'm very disappointed with the result."
"We started incredibly well. So dominant again. We were playing in their half, and we didn't allow them to breathe. But in one action, that was very chaotic, because the ball bounces.
"It's a duel there, we lose it, and suddenly find themselves to be true in open spaces.
"And they are lethal there, and they finish the action with the quality that they have.
"After that, we had our five shaky minutes that we have to reset mentally because it was so unfair to concede a goal with what we were doing, and after that, we just completely dominated the game again,” he adds.
Guardiola explains late tactics
19:40 , Chris Wilson"Since the transfer window finished the togetherness has been top. It was so demanding today and Arsenal have everything - we defended the corners so well. We'll take the point, we have to improve but it is what it is,” adds Guardiola.
"We were incredibly tired. The game against Napoli was so emotional and after that recovery day we have four or five hours to travel to London. Arsenal fought in the last two Premier League title races and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League so it's so difficult.
"We had a lot of fatigue with many players. We also have a lot of injuries,” he explained.
On his decision to move to five at the back, he added: "We don't try to be like this but when the opponent is better we defend deeper and counter-attack, but that's not our intention.
"I would prefer not to do it but you have to at this level. I take a point and in some games we have to adjust."
More from Guardiola
19:30 , Chris WilsonHere’s more from Pep Guardiola: “Sometimes people don't realise motivation, so emotional. After that recovery day, they also had to wait for five hours.
"But really, you know, the people who live in the north east, don't have four or five hours to ride here in London and everything like they fought the last two Premier League games to win it and the Champions League. So tough. We had to be so strong in terms of mentality.
"Of course, the schedule has an effect. Your mindset has to be strong. You know how many injuries we have and players come back from the national team for a long time. We have Cherki, we have Ait-Nouri .
"A lot of players, maybe you forget the rhythm is always easier in this kind of position. In the case that we have, we don't have it. Many things can happen but if you want to bring that our complaint is the schedule - then okay,” he adds.
Guardiola: 'In general, Arsenal were better'
19:20 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola admits Arsenal were better than City today, adding that “it's difficult to analyse with all that's happened this week”.
“We play games like United and in the Champions League on Thursday and now today. The teams are like so powerful in all aspects.
"The resilience - of course, so difficult when you're not effective or high pressing and you're not effective in build up.
"Always so tough and so difficult to do it. We made some transitions. I think the result is fair. But in general, Arsenal were better,” he adds.
'City still trying to find their way'
19:14 , Chris Wilson"Man City are still trying to find their way,” says Roy Keane on Sky.
"It's not the same City that we've seen over the years but they sit in against Arsenal and generally did quite well.
"They just lot a bit of concentration at the end but it was a great ball, a great run and a great finish.
"But there was a lack of belief from City and a lack of trying to get a second goal, so Arsenal did deserve to get something out of the game,” he adds.
'It's the same issues for Arsenal'
19:07 , Chris WilsonRoy Keane complains about “the same issues for Arsenal” as he analyses the draw.
"On the one hand, you have to give them credit. They kept going and in the end they got a draw,” he says.
"However, when you are talking about Arsenal winning league titles and you see what Liverpool are doing and what Man City have done over the years, they are still short in terms of creativity.
"They have a lot of good players and they are a really solid team, but the standards the other teams have set over the years, they still look short in that area,” he adds.
Match stats
19:00 , Chris WilsonMikel Arteta is now the only manager to go five games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola in league games, having won two and drawn three of the last five.
Separately, on sky Gary Neville says that the game was “a real struggle that will not help either of them, and Liverpool [are] maybe the winners."
Rice: 'We dominated today'
18:55 , Chris WilsonDeclan Rice says his side “dominated” City today, adding that Arsenal “played really well but count break them down. Fair play to them”.
“I think we’ve gained the respect of opposition, they know the quality that we have. In my time here, we haven’t dominated against City like we did today.
“We thoroughly deserved a goal but in the end I think a point is probably fair. They defended really well, we knew second half we had to step on it. That was the message at half-time, just keep going, keep pushing. A draw in the end was good for us.”
On Martinelli’s goal, he adds: “Ever since I came to the club he’s delivered big moments. The run and finish is just unbelievable at that stage of the game.”
Martinelli: 'Those are the moments I work for'
18:50 , Chris Wilson“Those are the moments I work for,” says Gabriel Martinelli as he speaks to Sky.
“We played really well. It was a great ball from Ebs [Eze], and I just tried to put it in the back of the net. The players that we have, I know if I make those runs at least once I’ll get the ball.
“But we need to win those games,” he adds as he finishes.
City record Guardiola's lowest ever possession
18:46 , Chris WilsonManchester City had 32.8 per cent possession today, which is the lowest figure any Pep Guardiola team have ever recorded in a top-flight match.
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 1-1 Man City
18:42 , Chris Wilson
'Have you ever seen a performance as pragmatic from Guardiola?'
18:37 , Chris WilsonReaction from Miguel Delaney at the Emirates:
Quite an irony that, after a game where City were so withdrawn, they are caught the one moment they leave space in behind.
A brilliant finish from Martinelli after an even better ball by Eze, but how much space did they have?
Arteta's "finishers" indeed find the final touch... but there is that sense Arsenal could have done more.
Have you ever seen a performance as pragmatic from Guardiola?
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 1-1 Man City
18:33 , Chris WilsonThat is indeed that! The referee blows the final whistle and we have an intriguing draw at the Emirates.
An interesting game for many reasons, not least Guardiola’s complete tactical 180, but the spoils are shared in the capital.
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
18:32 , Chris Wilson90 +7 mins
City win a late free-kick from deep and Arsenal bring on Cristhian Mosquera for Zubimendi.
The free-kick comes to nothing and Arsenal lump it forward, though City clear and Calafiori makes a foul. That should be that.
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
18:30 , Chris Wilson90 +6 mins
Neither side is settling for the draw actually., though City’s free-kick comes to nothing before Saka ends the Arsenal counter with a foul near the City box. Is there time for another chance?
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
18:28 , Chris Wilson90 +4 mins
Can Arsenal find a winner? They’ve still got a bit of time, though City are on the attack for now. The visitors look happy to try and see the result out though.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Man City
18:27 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
Nothing comes of the corner and Arsenal fend off the City counter before Gabriel Martinelli scores a superb equaliser!
Eze picks it up deep in the centre circle and he clips a lovely ball over the top to Martinelli, who beats the offside trap well.
The Brazilian takes a lovely first touch to cushion it across his body before lifting a sublime finish over the onrushing Donnarumma!
The City line was so high and they’ve paid the price.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:24 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
We’ll have seven minutes of added time here as Nunes heads a deep cross out for a corner.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:23 , Chris Wilson90 mins
So poor from Rice as he simply mistimes his run and plays a pass straight out of play, but he’s lucky as the hosts win it back soon enough.
Unlucky again though as Saka – who’s moved to the left for now – is flagged offside.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:22 , Chris Wilson88 mins
There’ll ben a decent chunk of added time, but Arsenal are running out of ideas here, even if Saka has looked threatening.
City got a 98th-minute equaliser at this tie last year, so can the Gunners get some late revenge?
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:20 , Chris Wilson87 mins
O’Reilly comes off for John Stones, while Savinho is on for Doku late on.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:19 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Another Rice long throw causes a bit of pinball but City deal with it well before Doku does brilliantly to win a free-kick a few yards into the Arsenal half.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:18 , Chris Wilson84 mins
Ethan Nwaneri is the next roll of the dice, as he comes on for Trossard.
Play is back underway and O’Reilly is fine to carry on as Raya goes long with the free-kick.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:16 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Lovely work from Doku in the Arsenal box to skip past Gabriel, but he can’t find anyone with the cross after opting against taking on the shot. Another warning sign for the Gunners.
A break in play as Gonzalez and O’Reilly are down after colliding when dragging back Saka.
'The best chance of the second half went to the visitors'
18:14 , Chris WilsonThe latest from Richard Jolly at the Emirates:
Can City hang on? There was a point when it felt that Arsenal's pressure would be such that they would crack. Yet they have not and this is turning into a terrific defensive effort.
And the best chance of the second half actually went to the visitors, in the form of Erling Haaland.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:13 , Chris Wilson79 mins
More frustration for Arsenal as Saka is penalised in the City box.
The Gunners come again though, as Gabriel’s ball is headed behind for a corner.
Before the set-piece is taken, Gabriel Martinelli comes on for Timber.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:10 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Donnarumma îs booked now for delaying the restart as he takes an age to take his goal kick.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:08 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Certainly a very different type of City performance today, but it might yet pay off for the visitors.
Saka swings in a cross but Calafori can only head over at the back post.
Guardiola indicates his current thinking as City bring on Nico Gonzalez for Haaland.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:06 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Yet more frustration around the Emirates as Arsenal come forward again. Ake is equal to it this time, beating Gyokeres to the through ball but conceding a corner in the process.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:06 , Chris Wilson70 mins
City began to see their first period of sustained possession for perhaps the entire half, though they weren’t in a rush to get forward.
Arsenal are still toiling and Calafiori flies in on Silva to give the visitors a free-kick.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:01 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Phil Foden makes way for Nathan Ake in City’s second change.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:00 , Richard Jolly at the EmiratesReaction from Richard Jolly at the Emirates:
Arsenal have had 68 percent possession so far. Not many teams do that against a Guardiola side.
Although, of course, it might not count for very much without goals. Still, however, it is a sign it isn't a normal City performance.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:59 , Chris Wilson65 mins
Good pressing from City to win the ball off Eze in his own half but Silva isn’t interested in launching the counter, and Arsenal win it back soon enough.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:57 , Chris Wilson62 mins
Plenty more Arsenal possession and Reijnders is lucky to avoid a yellow for pulling back Saka before the England winger wins a free-kick in a more advanced area seconds later.
Rice swings it in but it doesn’t fall for Trossard at the back post, and Arsenal come again.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:53 , Chris Wilson59 mins
Arsenal seem to have recovered for now as they deal with a couple of corners before going up the pitch and winning their own.
Saka delivers and it comes all the way to Trossard at the back pos, but his volley is blocked.
Arsenal work it again, Eze disguising a pass through to Trossard on the left again, but his cross is behind all the Arsenal shirts!
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
18:03 , Chris WilsonCLOSE! For all Arsenal’s attacking, City go closest again.
Doku wins the loose ball on the edge of his box and drives through a couple of challenges before sliding a clever through ball to Haaland.
The Norwegian gets into the box but hits a poor effort (by his standards) that Raya gets down to save. However, Eze is there to clear it but fires it straight at Rice, and the ball flies over the bar to prevent a freak own goal!
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:51 , Chris Wilson57 mins
CLOSE! For all Arsenal’s attacking, City go closest again.
Doku wins the loose ball on the edge of his box and drives through a couple of challenges before sliding a clever through ball to Haaland.
The Norwegian gets into the box but hits a poor effort (by his standards) that Raya gets down to save. However, Eze is there to clear it but fires it straight at Rice, and the ball flies over the bar to prevent a freak own goal!
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:48 , Chris Wilson55 mins
A rare City attack ends with Trossard dispossessing Nunes on the edge of the Arsenal box, but the hosts can’t make anything of the counter opportunity as Gyokeres fails to get to Saka’s speculative through ball.
Arsenal win it back quickly enough though, with City again happy to let the hosts have possession for now.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:46 , Chris Wilson53 mins
More sustained pressure from the hosts now, as Saka cuts in before seeing his shot deflected and Zubimendi can’t connect with his acrobatic effort on the rebound.
Arsenal come again but the flag goes up against Saka after a promising combination on the right with Eze.
'Arsenal have so far had an agitated energy'
17:44 , Chris WilsonThe latest from Miguel Delaney at the Emirates:
One piece of logic that has been suggested to me is that Arsenal are conscious of how City have had a tendency to tire after an hour as the team adapts to a new approach.
The danger of that, of course, is that a game could be set by the time you’re trying to rescue it. Bringing on Saka and Eze will of course help... Arsenal have so far had an agitated energy, though.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:44 , Chris Wilson50 mins
We’re already seeing a different Arsenal here, as the Gunners get forward quickly before a deflected cross bounces out to Eze, who stings the palms of Donnarumma with a powerful half-volley.
'Arsenal had too little flair in the first half'
17:42 , Richard Jolly at the EmiratesReaction from Richard Jolly at the Emirates:
Arsenal had too little flair in the first half. On come Saka and Eze.
Some might say they should have started. It looks like Eze will play centrally, with Merino going off.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:41 , Chris Wilson48 mins
Arsenal have started quickly an they have a chance early on, with Trossard switching the ball across to Saka, who beats Doku down the outside before clipping in a cross. It’s cleared out to Zubimendi, who fires narrowly over the bar.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:39 , Chris WilsonBack underway at the Emirates! Can those subs make the difference?
City also make a sub, as Matheus Nunes comes on for Khusanov.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:36 , Chris WilsonAnd we have two big subs from the hosts to start with, as Bukayo Saka and Ebere Eze come on for Madueke and Merino.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:35 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are re-emerging from the tunnel, so the action will be restarting soon.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:34 , Chris WilsonUnsurprisingly, Guardiola will be by far the happier of the two managers so far, with his side scoring a brilliant goal before defending resolutely in the remaining 35 minutes or so.
Arteta will be hugely disappointed but has he brought it all on himself with that starting eleven? The Gunners need more in attack, that much is obvious.
A huge 45 minutes coming up for both sides, in a match that will likely have a bearing on the title race even this early into the season.
What can each side produce in the next 45?
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:29 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:23 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and we go into the break with City in the lead!
Arsenal have had the most of the possession but Pep Guardiola’s side struck when it mattered, with Haaland finishing off a superb counter-attack to give his side the lead.
And in truth, despite all of the hosts’ possession, the City defence has hardly been tested in the opening 45.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:21 , Chris Wilson45 +5 mins
Lovely defending from O’Reilly here to stop a promising Arsenal counter.
The hosts win the ball in midfield and Merino leads the counter, driving through before playing the through ball to Madueke.
The England international takes the pass in his stride but O’Reilly is there to dispossess him before clearing.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:20 , Chris Wilson45 +4 mins
The VAR check is done and it’s all cleared. There was nothing in it anyway, simply Trossard throwing the ball at Silva.
Play resumes.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:19 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
Neither side is able to get a hold of the game now as City look to wind down the clock.
There’s another break in play as Silva is down, with the Portuguese seemingly taking some sort of blow from Trossard.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:17 , Chris Wilson45 mins
There’ll be four minutes of added time here as Madueke forces Donnarumma into a save with a low drive at the near post.
'A bit of pressure from Arsenal'
17:16 , Richard Jolly at the EmiratesThe latest from Richard Jolly at the Emirates:
A bit of pressure from Arsenal and a couple of corners for the set-piece specialists.
It is worth noting, though, that City have a huge team with two sizeable full-backs in a big back four, plus Haaland, Rodri and Donnarumma.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:15 , Chris Wilson44 mins
Another half-chance for the Gunners as Madueke latches onto Timber’s pass before cutting back to avoid the slide tackle. He clips in a cross but Donnarumma does well to punch away on the stretch.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:14 , Chris Wilson43 mins
City are struggling to keep the ball at times here but it matters little when Arsenal are struggling to create chances. Timber tries to take matters into his own hands by driving down the wing before firing in an early cross, but Gyokeres hadn’t read it.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:12 , Chris Wilson41 mins
Signs of an opening for Arsenal as Calafiori finds Zubimendi on the overlap, with Madueke eventually winning a corner after seeing his effort cleared.
Donnarumma can’t get a clear punch on the ball this time but it doesn’t matter as Saliba heads the rebound wide.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:09 , Chris Wilson38 mins
Again, an awful lot of Arsenal possession but little to show for it, with the Gunners almost getting a chance after a short pass backwards to Donnarumma.
Doku picks the loose ball up in the Arsenal half and evades a few challenges as he gets into the box, but there’s no space and he eventually pulls it back to Rodri, who fires well over.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:06 , Chris Wilson36 mins
Silva is the first player to be booked after a late sliding challenge on Gabriel in the Arsenal half.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:04 , Chris Wilson34 mins
Starting to settle into the early pattern again, with Arsenal seeing plenty of the ball but City happy to sit deeper for now.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
17:03 , Chris Wilson32 mins
A subdued atmosphere at the Emirates at the moment, with the home fans yet to see much in terms of clear-cut chances.
They do get a half-chance though, with Rice swinging in a cross that Madueke can’t get clean contact om and the header bounces harmlessly wide.
There were a brief VAR check for a push on Gabriel by Haaland, but it was soft.
'Arsenal have more game-changers off the pitch than on it'
16:59 , Miguel Delaney at the EmiratesHere’s the latest from Miguel Delaney at the Emirates:
City have really upped it since the goal, which was sensational, and there's now this agitation all around the stadium.
You can sense a frustration. It's a frustration made all the sharper when Arsenal's main match-winners are on the bench. They do look more lightweight with Haaland at the other end.
Of course, almost anyone would look lightweight next to Haaland, but Arsenal do have more game-changers off the pitch than on it.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:58 , Chris Wilson28 mins
Good running from Madueke to evade a couple of challenges and pull back a teasing ball, but City manage to clear before the midfielder can arrive to hit it from distance.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:57 , Chris Wilson26 mins
Calafiori and Gyokeres combine on the left to win another corner, which Rice will deliver.
The cross is right on top of Donnarumma, but he punches clear confidently before the Gunners win another corner.
Madueke delivers this one, but it’s cleared away at the near post and City regroup.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:54 , Chris Wilson23 mins
both sides have settled once again, though there haven’t been any chances since the opener.
Now Reijnders stays down after a fair challenge from Timber, much tot he chagrin of the home support.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:50 , Chris Wilson20 mins
Another decent counter from City as they press high and win the ball near the Arsenal box. Haaland has the chance to shoot from distance but instead slips it to Reijnders, whose low effort is to close to Raya.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:48 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Play resumes and Khusanov is okay to carry on.
Arsenal move up the pitch and Timber wins a corner. Madueke delivers, but City manage to clear eventually after good defensive work from Foden.
'Nine goals in three and a bit games for Erling Haaland'
16:46 , Richard Jolly at the EmiratesReaction from Richard Jolly at the Emirates:
Nine goals in three and a bit games for Erling Haaland, even if five of them did come for Norway.
A one-two of sorts after passing to Reijnders in his own half and taking the return ball in the box.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:45 , Chris Wilson14 mins
A break in play as Khusanov stays down after a soft challenge.
Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:43 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Arsenal will be a little shell shocked but they’ll need to carry on in the same way they started. It’s been scrappy since the opener though, with both sides losing the ball cheaply,
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Man City
16:41 , Chris Wilson9 mins
GOAL! The visitors are ahead!
It’s against the run of play but City and Erling Haaland won’t care!
He picks the ball up midway into his own half but Arsenal have committed too many men forward and the City man shifts the ball across to Reijnders, who is in acres of space.
He drives towards the box and spots the run of Haaland ahead of him, eventually releasing the through ball before the Norwegian striker slots a low finish out of Raya’s reach.
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
16:38 , Chris Wilson8 mins
Timber plays a long searching ball in behind for Madueke, but Gvardiol has enough pace to cover.
Something to note early on for City as Foden and Silva have swapped roles from last week, with the England international picking up positions on the right wing so far.
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
16:37 , Chris Wilson7 mins
The hosts are beginning to dominate possession now, though neither side has managed to carve out a chance. Gyokeres gets into the box but his pass to Merino doesn’t have enough on it.
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
16:35 , Chris Wilson4 mins
More good tracking back from Khusanov to dispossess Trossard. Arsenal have got forward quickly on a couple of occasions already, clearly hoping to get in behind the high City defensive line. No luck yet though.
Arsenal 0-0 Man City
16:33 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Early touches in advanced areas for both sides, though there’s some good defending from both Khusanov and O’Reilly when called upon on either wing.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Man City
16:30 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at the Emirates!
Arsenal vs Man City LIVE
16:26 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are emerging from the tunnel at the Emirates, so we should be underway soon.
No matter how early it is, this match will show us plenty about the 2025/26 title race.
Arteta & Guardiola speak
16:23 , Chris Wilson"Martin Odegaard was not fit enough but thankfully we got Bukayo Saka and Ben White back,” says Mikel Arteta of his team selection.
"We have a strong bench to make decisions in evolution to the score in the context of the match.
“We have been successful in the last two home games [against Man City], we have to earn the right to to do that, we know the level of the games against them and we have to hit them again.
"They have the capacity and flexibility to do different things but we do as well,” he adds.
“I don’t understand myself” jokes Pep Guardiola as he explains naming the same starting team for a third consecutive game.
“Nothing is decisive after five games, but of course we have to win if we want to be there,” he adds when asked whether a loss today could see City go out of the title race early on.
Ten minutes until showtime at the Emirates
16:19 , Lawrence OstlereA few pre-match images as the two teams gear up for kick-off...
Match stats
16:15 , Chris WilsonWith City winless in four Premier League games against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola could go five games without a top-flight league win against an opponent for the very first time. Mikel Arteta could also become the first manager ever to go five league games unbeaten against Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to raise their game against Arsenal
16:10 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola admits his Manchester City team need to step up as they renew hostilities with Arsenal this weekend.
City suffered one of the worst days of an uncharacteristically poor season by their standards at the Emirates Stadium last term as they were thrashed 5-1 by Mikel Arteta’s side.
That game is best remembered for a goal celebration by the Gunners’ Myles Lewis-Skelly in which he mimicked a famous pose of City striker Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to raise their game against Arsenal
Match stats
16:05 , Chris WilsonArsenal have won their last three Premier League home games by an aggregate score of 9-0.
City have lost five of their last seven Premier League games immediately following a European game in midweek (W2), including a 5-1 loss at Arsenal in February.
Form guide
16:00 , Chris WilsonArsenal WWLWW
The hosts have won all but one of their matches so far this season, losing 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield courtesy of a superb Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick.
They beat Bilbao 2-0 last time out and have conceded just one goal all season so far.
City WLLWW
City come into the match off the back of two positive results, with the 3-0 derby win over United followed by an encouraging showing against Napoli last time out.
However, losses to Spurs and Brighton show that the visitors can be leaky in defence when tested.
Match stats
15:50 , Chris WilsonArsenal have won two of their last four league meetings with Manchester City (D2), as many as their previous 22 beforehand (D5 L15). The Gunners could win back-to-back league games against the Citizens for the first time since December 2015.
City have lost both of their last two Premier League visits to Arsenal, as many as their previous 14 beforehand (W7 D5 L2). It’s their longest losing run away to the Gunners since April 2009 (4 in a row).
Head-to-head
15:40 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met 194 times in the past, with the Gunners winning 92 and City victorious in 57. 45 have ended as draws.
Arsenal dominated the Cityzens in this fixture last season, winning 5-1 in February after a dramatic 2-2 draw in the match at the Etihad that saw Rodri suffer his long-term injury, Leandro Trossard receive a red card and John Stones scoring a 98th-minute equaliser!
'A cautious selection'
15:37 , Richard Jolly at the EmiratesHere’s the latest from Richard Jolly at the Emirates:
A second big Premier League game since Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal and a second that he begins on the bench.
Mikel Arteta may prefer to present it as rewarding Leandro Trossard for his goalscoring cameo in Bilbao but it might be deemed a cautious selection.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, sticks with the same side, which means Rodri is fit for a third game in a week.
Team news
15:31 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola goes with the same side that beat Manchester United 3-0 in the derby last week before dispatching Napoli 2-0.
January signing Abdukodir Khusanov continues at right-back, with Nico O’Reilly at left-back.
Rodri is fit to start in midfield around a year after his season-ending ACL injury, while Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva continue on the wings with Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders in the advanced midfield roles.
Team news
15:23 , Chris WilsonArsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes just two changes to the side that beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in midweek.
In defence, Cristhian Mosquera makes way as William Saliba returns from injury, while in the front line Ebere Eze drops out in favour of Leandro Trossard, who scored and assisted after coming in against Bilbao.
Team news
15:17 , Chris WilsonArsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Saka, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 21, 2025
🔙 Saliba returns
©️ Gabriel skippers the side
🪄 Trossard on the wing
Let's bring the fight, Gunners 👊
City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Stones, Ake, Nico, Savinho, Nunes, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
Today’s line-up! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 21, 2025
XI | Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Stones, Ake, Nico, Savinho, Nunes, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/bynRVVUYBU
Team news imminent
15:10 , Will CastleWe’re expecting team news in the next few minutes or so - here’s a reminder of what we already know:
Arsenal’s Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard could all be available after spells out of action but have not yet trained with the team, while Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres - who both suffered head injuries against Athletic Club - are expected to be cleared to play.
William Saliba could make his return to action too, leaving Arteta with a selection dilemma as new signing Cristhian Mosquera as impressed as the Frenchman’s deputy.
Guardiola will be sweating on the fitness of influential midfielder Rodri, who started against Manchester United and Napoli but reportedly “didn’t feel comfortable” in training on Wednesday, but John Stones and Rayan Ait-Nouri could return.
Arsenal confirm shock exit for executive in major leadership reshuffle
15:00 , Miguel DelaneyArsenal are undertaking their most significant overhaul of the club leadership since their recent revival, with Richard Garlick rising to chief executive and a number of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) executives being appointed to the board, and Tim Lewis stepping down as executive vice-chair.
The change is also being seen as potentially significant in Premier League politics, given that Lewis had become one of the most forceful and influential voices over the past half-decade.
He was a staunch advocate of strong financial regulation, and has been outspoken on the issue of state ownership. The corporate lawyer took a strong line on ongoing investigations into Manchester City over the Football Leaks affair, to the point that the relationship between the two clubs recently hit an all-time low.
Arsenal confirm shock exit for executive in major leadership reshuffle
Mikel Arteta: Man City without a doubt in Premier League title race
14:45 , Will CastleMikel Arteta said Manchester City are “without a doubt” in contention to win the Premier League ahead of their clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
“Knowing Pep really, and the demands he puts on his players, the mentality they have in the football club, the squad and the players that they have, I think so for sure,” he said.
“What Pep’s already done in this league is unprecedented, the level that he’s put into the standard of this league is, in my opinion, unprecedented, and maintaining those levels for 10 years is already something incredible, and the demands are there for him and he wants to carry on because he believes that he can do it again.”
Martin Zubimendi is revolutionising Arsenal’s midfield – now he faces the ultimate test
14:30 , Miguel DelaneyWhen Manchester City and Spain have a fit Rodri in the team, the biggest difference his teammates notice isn’t actually protection without the ball. It’s supreme confidence with it.
Everybody knows that you can trust Rodri with a pass, no matter where on the pitch, with everything flowing from there. If he is playing, the goalkeeper can give it to him in between the centre-halves, and it’s the assured start of a move forward rather than the risk of a counterattack. If he’s not there, players will often go wide, or long, and the entire flow of the team is different.
It’s what Spain feared when Rodri went off injured in the Euro 2024 final against England and then again for Man City just weeks later. A tension spread in the executive boxes, but partly because of that fear itself. Spanish football’s senior stakeholders were all present, and some were immediately expressing their dismay.
Such fatalism actually irked others, especially those from closer to the Basque country. They said it was like some had never seen Rodri’s replacement play, and an argument almost broke out.
England, and everyone else, soon had a clear idea of Martin Zubimendi. He took on Rodri’s role effortlessly. Zubimendi kept Spain moving in the same smooth way, to win the final and also move his own career onto a new level.
Read more:
Zubimendi is revolutionising Arsenal’s midfield – now he faces the ultimate test
Arsenal hoping for a repeat of last season
14:15 , Will CastleArsenal have become something of a bogey team for Man City, with Pep Guardiola winless in five against his former protege.
Last season’s meeting at the Emirates was the most damning of them all.
The Gunners ran out 5-1 victors, with Hale End stars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri truly announcing themselves to the Gunners faithful to condemn City to one of their worst Pep-era defeats in the midst of their turbulent campaign.
Surely we won’t see a repeat today... right?
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
