Eze's moment of brilliance and Martinelli's magical finish clinch point for Arsenal  

Jack Lovell's analysis after Arsenal grabbed a point against the low block of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City

Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City:

Gabriel Martinelli scored a last gasp equaliser for Arsenal to snatch a precious point from what looked like a defeat to Manchester City, and send the Gunners back up to second place in the Premier League table.

Mikel Arteta’s were stung in the opening ten minutes by a devastating City counterattack which was started and clinically finished by Erling Haaland.

Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were brought on at halftime by Arteta to help breathe some life into a pale Arsenal first half performance.

Those decisions paid off when Eze’s wonderfully weighted ball was brought down and converted beautifully by fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli to send the Emirates Stadium crazy.

Jack Lovell's analysis 

This was it. It felt like it was crucial that Arsenal needed to secure all three points against Pep’s City to really convey a statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League that they are here to seriously challenge for that elusive title this season.

When the line-up was announced, there was an instant wave of frustration that oozed through the Arsenal fanbase.

Mikel Merino was starting in the midfield instead of a creative outlet and Leandro Trossard was in for Eberechi Eze.

The issue with the team was it felt like Arsenal were yet again about to set up conservatively in a huge game and not show aggression from the kick off.

The Gunners started heavily on the front foot and asserted their dominance on the ball. Possession was high but chances created were lacking.

Eventually, Arsenal lost the ball in the middle of the park, allowing Tijjani Reijnders and Erling Haaland to link up and ultimately put the visitors ahead out of nothing.

Haaland’s electric pace proved too much for Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel who could only watch helplessly as the Norwegian slotted away the ball to score his 13th goal of the season in all competitions.

The hosts attempted to build some momentum and get themselves level but again it seemed to be a lot of possession but little opportunities showing up. Noni Madueke looked to be the game plan.

His directness and unpredictably also accommodated with a splash of blistering pace was the only solution in the first half to Arsenal getting close to breaching Manchester City’s backline.

The halftime whistle blew, and every Arsenal fan knew exactly what Mikel Arteta needed to do.

It was just the hope that Arteta was going to act.

Thankfully, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were brought on for Mikel Merino and Noni Madueke to completely change the gameplan and the system.

The second half was as if Arsenal were performing their best impression of Jekyll and Hyde. The players were showing aggression, attacking intent and at least tried to create chances against a deep Manchester City defence. Eze and Zubimendi both had adequate sights of goal, and the corners were stacking up.

It looked to be one of those afternoons for Arsenal where, yet again, they failed to capitalise on an opportunity to prove everyone wrong - as City’s defence fell deeper and the gaps for runs in behind were tightening up. But a moment of brilliance from Eze with a superb, lofted ball over the top fell to Gabriel Martinelli who brought it down and gorgeously lobbed Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal a priceless point for Arteta.

Mikel Arteta now becomes the first league manage to go five games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola.

A huge improvement considering there was a point where Arsenal lost nine in a row against City between 2020-2023.

Overall, most Arsenal fans will see this as an underwhelming point but come the end of the season, it could prove most pivotal.

Arsenal takes on Port Vale next in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

It’s Newcastle United away at St James Park on Sunday for the Gunners for their next game in the Premier League.