Arsenal win over Citizens with a late goal, leads the league with Spurs

It was the last opponent that Mikel Arteta as Arsenal coach did not beat in the league. But on Sunday, thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli, history was rewritten as the Gunners triumphed 1-0.

The Citizens threatened in the fourth minute. A pinpoint finish from Josh Guardiola was headed off the line by Declan Rice. The action continued, and Nathan Aké’s shot from just outside the box went wide.

Manchester pressed the opponents uncomfortably and in the 17th minute Julian Alvarez blocked a David Raya free-kick, but luckily for the Gunners it narrowly missed the near post. The Gunners threatened for the first time in the 26th minute, Eddie Nketiah just missing the back post.

Anyway, the Gunners got on the score sheet, which nearly resulted in midfielder Mateo Kovacic being sent off. The head referee initially ruled the orange tackle a yellow, then spared the Croatian after he hit Declan Rice’s ankle.

After a cautious first half, it went to the booths goalless. After the change of sides, the Gunners got active, culminating in an inaccurate Martin Odegaard shot from the penalty spot in the 50th minute.

A minute later, Gabriel Martinelli threatened from the left but Ederson had an easy job. In the 58th minute, they threatened at the other end, but Julian Alvarez’s goalbound shot was blocked by the Arsenal defence.

After that, the game settled down, with both teams seeming to realise that a point wouldn’t be too bad. But it all broke down in the 86th minute. Martinelli’s shot was knocked into his own net by Aké and the Gunners were 1-0 up.

The home side then held on to the lead and broke Manchester’s run of 12 wins in back-to-back games. Arsenal leapfrogged their rivals in the table with the win, while city rival and league leader Tottenham is on the same points.

Source: Premier League