Manchester City must be growing to hate the sight of Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian has never been the most prolific attacker in the game, but his last five Premier League outings against Man City have yielded two goals and two assists. Arsenal left it late to secure a result against Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.
The Citizens were digging deep in their quest to secure what would have proven a huge scalp in the title race. They were showing defensive resolve that Jose Mourinho would have been proud of. Yet they dropped their guard in second half injury time. Eberechi Eze spotted the run of Martinelli from range and lofted a long ball over the top for the 24-year-old to latch on to.
In this article, we’ll cover:
On the run, Martinelli expertly lofted the all over the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma to send the Emirates into bedlam. It was a point snatched from the jaws of defeat to ensure the gap to Liverpool was at five points rather than a potentially disastrous seven. Yes, even at this early stage of the season, such a gulf would have had serious ramifications as Arsenal look to end their lengthy wait for a title.
The Gunners had controlled proceedings (66.8%) over the course of the game but were showing little for their dominance. They were dealt a suckerpunch in the ninth minute as Erling Haaland maximised a Man City counter to put the visitors ahead early on and from there on out, Guardiola’s side did all they could to frustrate Sunday’s opponents, making a whopping 60 clearances, a record in a Premier League match this season.
Martinelli haunting Man City again
Even so, it looked as though the decision to sit deep would reap the rewards, and it came close to doing so until Martinelli made that darting run late on. It was his introduction that ultimately really swung the game into Arsenal’s favour.
Martinelli was never been one to regularly hit the back of the net. He’s only scored in excess of 10 league goals in a season just once in his Premier League career. Few would have anticipated he’d go on to net against Man City over the weekend, but Mikel Arteta took a risk in bringing him on with time ticking on.
This was clear in that Arteta more or less compromised on his defensive principles as he chased a result. Martinelli came on for Jurrien Timber in a move that saw William Saliba shift over to right-back and Declan Rice drop in at centre-back. It was a change that few would have expected Arteta to make, yet was one that reaped the rewards.
Arteta’s bold decision pays off
In removing Timber from play, Arteta withdrew a defender more than capable of bombarding upfield and moved one of Arsenal’s better ball players into defence. Rice has previously shown the versatility to operate in defence yet hasn’t had the chance to showcase this quality to his game at Arsenal.
In moving Rice back, though, it meant an attack-minded player could drop deeper to receive the ball from the defence with the hope of maximising Martinelli’s darting runs to help peg the Man City backline back. This proved the case as Martinelli got the run on Josko Gvardiol and was picked out brilliantly by Eze.
It was a bold move by Arteta, who sought to shore up the defence as soon as Arsenal went level by bringing Cristhian Mosquera on for Martin Zubimendi, moving Saliba back into centre-back and the summer signing to right-back to bring balance back to the defence.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Crucially, too, is that it further highlighted Arsenal’s strength in depth following an impressive summer that saw the club strengthen considerably. It was a blow to lose Noni Madueke to a knee injury at half time on Sunday, yet Bukayo Saka’s return eases that problem. It was subs Eze and Martinelli who linked up for the equaliser, while Christian Norgaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly were both left on the bench for the stalemate.
Will Arsenal start to play with more freedom?
So it wasn’t that Arteta threw Martinelli into the mix on Sunday that turned the game further in Arsenal’s favour, but who was replaced and the change in shape that ensured the north London side were able to rescue a result.
Arteta has previously played with the handbrake on, and the welcome of Man City proved no exception as he prioritised defensive solidity over a desire to push for all the spoils. Arsenal did concede the fewest goals in the Premier League last season due to this stubbornness to stand firm.
However, having watched Eze drop deep and play the perfect pass for Martinelli to land a point in front of their fans, supporters must now be hoping Arteta is prepared to throw caution to the wind. The squad is evidently talented enough to move up a gear or two as Arsenal push for domestic and continental glory.