Haaland: When Martinelli scored the equaliser we had to check the scoreboard to see if we’re losing because of the celebrations.

Arsenal 1-1 Man City: Gabriel Martinelli cancels out Erling Haaland goal in stoppage time to salvage point

Match report and free match highlights as Gabriel Martinelli comes on as a substitute to score a stoppage-time leveller for Arsenal against Man City; Erling Haaland had earlier put Pep Guardiola’s side in front following a blistering counter

Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench and scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

City appeared to be on the brink of victory thanks to Erling Haaland’s brilliant breakaway goal in the ninth minute but Martinelli looped a superb finish over Gianluigi Donnarumma after latching onto Eberechi Eze’s pass to spark wild celebrations.

It came five days after the Brazilian made a similarly important impact from the bench in Arsenal’s win over Athletic Club, when he scored one goal and set up the other. His strike also bore similarities to his winner as a substitute against City in October 2023

The goal ensured Arsenal are five points behind leaders Liverpool, rather than six, and came after they had struggled to carve out chances for long periods despite City having just 32.8 per cent possession, a record-low for a Pep Guardiola team.

Player ratings

Arsenal: Raya (6), Timber (7), Saliba (7), Gabriel (6), Calafiori (6), Zubimendi (7), Rice (6), Merino (5), Madueke (7), Trossard (6), Gyokeres (5).

Subs: Saka (7), Eze (7), Martinelli (8), Nwaneri (6), Mosquera (n/a).

Man City: Donnarumma (6), Khusanov (7), Dias (6), Gvardiol (7), O’Reilly (7), Rodri (7), Bernardo (6), Reijnders (7), Foden (6), Doku (7), Haaland (8).

Subs: Nunes (6), Ake (6), Gonzalez (6), Stones (6), Savinho (6).

Player of the match: Erling Haaland

Haaland’s goal, when he started and finished a devastating counter after combining with Tijjani Reijnders, made it three in as many games for the striker against Arsenal and 19 in his last 15 appearances in all competitions. It also gave City a vital foothold.