Arsenal denied Manchester Metropolis an announcement win on the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, snatching a 1-1 draw with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli in a conflict of Premier League title contenders.
Metropolis struck early when Erling Haaland continued his prolific begin to the season, ending off a counterattack within the ninth minute after combining with Tijjani Reijnders.
The Norwegian striker now has 13 targets in eight matches for membership and nation, reinforcing his repute because the league’s most deadly ahead.
The early breakthrough set the stage for a shocking tactical shift from Pep Guardiola. Identified for his dedication to possession soccer, the Metropolis supervisor deployed a defensive 5-4-1 formation that allowed Arsenal to dominate the ball.
Metropolis recorded 32.8 per cent possession, the bottom determine ever registered by a Guardiola aspect in a top-flight match.
Regardless of their management, Arsenal have been repeatedly pissed off by a disciplined Metropolis again line that packed the penalty space and restricted clear possibilities.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was hardly ever examined as Guardiola continued to strengthen his defence with substitutions designed to guard the lead.
The technique appeared set to ship an uncommon victory till the third minute of stoppage time, when substitute Eberechi Eze clipped a ball over the defence. Martinelli raced by means of and calmly lobbed Donnarumma, giving Arsenal a share of the spoils and sparking celebrations in north London.
The consequence has vital implications for the title race. Defending champions Liverpool stay 5 factors clear on the prime after 5 rounds, whereas Arsenal are second on aim distinction forward of Tottenham and Bournemouth. Metropolis, already eight factors adrift, face an early check of resilience as they regulate to a brand new dynamic on the summit.
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Elsewhere within the league, Aston Villa ended their scoring drought however stay winless after a 1-1 draw in opposition to Sunderland.
Villa went forward within the 67th minute when Matty Money’s long-range effort compelled an error from goalkeeper Robin Roefs, however Wilson Isidor equalised quickly after to safe a degree for the promoted aspect, who had been diminished to 10 males earlier within the match.
On the Vitality Stadium, Newcastle rotated closely following their Champions League defeat to Barcelona however failed to interrupt down Bournemouth in a goalless draw. The consequence prolonged Eddie Howe’s winless run in opposition to his former membership to seven matches and stalled Newcastle’s momentum after a combined begin to the marketing campaign.
