Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory over title rivals Manchester City in the biggest game of the Premier League season so far.
The Brazilian’s 87th-minute shot hit Nathan Ake in the face and deflected past a wrong-footed Ederson, giving Arsenal the lead and subsequently a three huge points.
Arsenal had earlier made a nervy start and could have been behind inside five minutes, but a Josko Gvardiol shot was cleared off the line and Ake blazed over from close range.
David Raya in particular was wobbly and very luck that the ball ended up in the side netting when he was closed down by Julian Alvarez having taken too long on the ball.
A non-red card was the main talking point of the first half however, with Mateo Kovacic lucky to stay on the pitch both for a studs-showing tackle from behind which solicited a yellow card, and then a late one minutes later which the referee decided didn’t warrant a second booking.
Yet the introduction of Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal more life after the break, and ultimately proved the difference.
Victory lifts Arsenal to 20 points and second place in the table. They leapfrog City, who with 18 points are third.
