Arsenal left it late to seal a crucial 1-0 win over Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
It was a tepid game that rarely burst into life, despite City going close after only five minutes when Josko Gvardiol’s effort from a dangerous Phil Foden corner that beat the stranded David Raya. Headed off the line by Declan Rice, Nathan Ake then fired over from close range.
The Arsenal midfielder regularly found himself mopping up after some suspect distribution from Raya, the most notable incident seeing Julian Alvarez block a clearance which rocketed the wrong side of the post from a City perspective.
However, the visitors were fortunate to get away with Mateo Kovacic’s pair of wild lunges later in the half. Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate to produce a yellow card for his first, and VAR agreed that his foul on Martin Odegaard was not worthy of a red card.
Kovacic was again saved from greater punishment when landing a late one on Rice minutes later, which Oliver surprisingly waved away as not worthy of a second booking.
Gabriel Martinelli was thrown on to liven things up after the break and did just that on his return from injury, yet the game soon simmered down as both teams looked prepared to take a point.
With Erling Haaland off kilter, Rico Lewis took it upon himself to burst into the box and hit the back of the net having already been awarded a foul. City’s fury was tempered by the fact Lewis had handled the ball having gone down under pressure from Martinelli.
Triple changes were made by both managers in a bid to rally their side but there was a sense it would take a moment of genius or luck to swing this game one way or the other.
HUGE GOAL FOR ARSENAL! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
Martinelli's deflected effort gives Arsenal late lead ✅ pic.twitter.com/clU60QH4Sy
As it turned out, it was the latter. Martinelli took aim for 20 yards after 86 minutes and his effort cannoned in off Nathan Ake to hit the back of the net and send the Emirates wild - and Arsenal level on points with Tottenham atop the table at the international break.
