Arsenal 1-1 Man City: Player Ratings As Eze Assists And Martinelli Stuns Donnarumma Late!

Under the floodlit sky of north London, where shadows lengthen and hearts beat in unison, Arsenal and Manchester City staged a contest that felt more than simply sport. The Emirates roared and sighed in equal measure, every tackle, every pass, every breath heavy with consequence. City struck first with the precision of a blade, Erling Haaland slicing through Arsenal’s resolve in the opening act. For long stretches, the Gunners stumbled in search of rhythm, their supporters stranded between despair and defiance.

But football, that most unpredictable of storytellers, saved its cruelest twist for the very end. Just as the curtain seemed ready to fall with City crowned victors, Gabriel Martinelli emerged from the wings – a substitute turned saviour. One delicate touch, one audacious lift of the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma, and suddenly the night belonged not to Guardiola’s machine, but to Arteta’s dreamers. The script was torn apart, rewritten in stoppage time, leaving both giants locked in stalemate yet the audience breathless, spellbound, and desperate for the encore.

Arsenal left it late but salvaged a vital point against Manchester City in a 1-1 draw that will feel as much like relief as reward. Mikel Arteta’s tactical reshuffle at half-time, introducing Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, shifted the momentum after a passive first period. Still, Arsenal’s attack lacked penetration until Eze unlocked the City defence with a superb late assist. The result keeps the Gunners within touching distance of the top four, though they remain five points off leaders Liverpool. City, meanwhile, saw a disciplined away performance unravel in the dying moments.

Arsenal Player Ratings

David Raya (6/10): Produced a key low stop to deny Haaland a second. Beaten early and helpless for the opener.

Jurrien Timber (5.5/10): Found himself stretched by Jeremy Doku’s pace and withdrawn late for Martinelli as Arsenal chased the game.

William Saliba (5.5/10): Looked tentative on his first start back from injury, and his indecision left the door open for City’s opener.

Gabriel Magalhães (6/10): Tried to push high to compress the pitch but left Saliba exposed. Some strong recovery defending later.

Riccardo Calafiori (6.5/10): A bright outlet on the flank with his overlapping and underlapping runs. One of Arsenal’s more progressive performers.

Martin Zubimendi (6/10): Kept possession circulating but was outmanoeuvred by Rodri in midfield. Subbed in stoppage time.

Mikel Merino (4/10): Struggled to impose himself and was replaced at the break for Eze.

Declan Rice (5.5/10): Worked tirelessly but failed to provide his usual dominance. A quieter showing by his high standards.

Noni Madueke (6.5/10): Arsenal’s sharpest outlet before the break. Substituted for Saka at half-time.

Viktor Gyökeres (3.5/10): Couldn’t hold up play, couldn’t link effectively, and wasted rare chances. A frustrating night.

Leandro Trossard (5/10): A surprise starter who grew into the game but lacked end product. Withdrawn late.

Subs:

Bukayo Saka (6.5/10): Immediate spark on his return but couldn’t maintain influence.

Eberechi Eze (7.5/10): A lively cameo capped with a sublime assist for Martinelli.

Gabriel Martinelli (8/10): Super-sub heroics with a composed equaliser in the 93rd minute.

Ethan Nwaneri (N/A): Late cameo, little time to affect proceedings.

Cristhian Mosquera (N/A): Introduced in stoppage time.

Manchester City Player Ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10): Commanding presence, denying Eze and Madueke. Beaten only by a deft lob from Martinelli.

Abdukodir Khusanov (6.5/10): Battled well against Trossard but forced off injured at half-time.

Rúben Dias (7.5/10): Assured in the air and steady in his defensive work. Rarely looked troubled.

Joško Gvardiol (7.5/10): Shackled Gyökeres effectively, though his positioning played Martinelli onside late.

Nico O’Reilly (7/10): Disciplined display, keeping both Madueke and later Saka under control.

Rodri (7/10): The midfield anchor, dictating tempo and halting Arsenal’s transitions.

Tijjani Reijnders (7.5/10): Drove forward decisively to create City’s opener. His bursts unsettled Arsenal’s midfield.

Bernardo Silva (7/10): Intelligent movement and ball retention across midfield and wide areas.

Jeremy Doku (8/10): City’s most dangerous outlet. His direct running unsettled Timber throughout.

Erling Haaland (8.5/10): Clinical finish for the opener, constant menace until his substitution.

Phil Foden (6/10): A subdued performance, offering industry but little invention.

Subs:

Matheus Nunes (6.5/10): Lively after coming on, though his footing let him down.

Nathan Aké (5.5/10): Struggled to contain Martinelli late on, leading to the goal.

Nico González (5/10): Replaced Haaland but lacked the sharpness demanded from him both offensively & defensively.

John Stones (6/10): Added stability but little attacking thrust during City’s late buildup patterns.

Savinho (7/10): Positive cameo, relieved pressure with neat hold-up play.

Man of the Match

Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) -A game-changer off the bench. His intelligent movement, composure in front of goal, and decisive finish salvaged a point for Arsenal when all hope seemed lost.

Conclusion

The Emirates erupted as Arsenal pulled off yet another late rescue act, with Martinelli ensuring City’s cautious approach was punished. For Arteta, the comeback keeps his side within striking range of Liverpool but underlines the need for greater fluency in attack. For Guardiola, it was a case of two points dropped after a disciplined defensive display was undone in stoppage time.

The Premier League title race is already shaping into a three-horse battle. With Liverpool leading the pack, neither Arsenal nor City can afford slip-ups of this kind – and both managers will know the fine margins in games like this could decide the season’s destiny.