Boost for Liverpool as Arsenal and Man City drop points

The weekend’s headline clash saw Arsenal host Manchester City in a tense battle that ended 1-1. The Gunners rescued a point deep into stoppage time, denying Pep Guardiola’s side what would have been a vital psychological victory.

The draw also carried a slice of history. Mikel Arteta has now gone five consecutive league matches unbeaten against his former mentor, the first manager to achieve such a run. For City, however, the outcome was a setback. A win would have pulled them closer to the top of the table and allowed them to intensify the chase on leaders Liverpool, who remain flawless. Instead, City drop points again and sit marooned in mid-table, sandwiched between Fulham and Everton.

Haaland strikes, but Arsenal respond late

City got off to a dream start. In the ninth minute, a well-coordinated press won back possession, with Tijjani Reijnders bursting forward before slipping the ball into Erling Haaland, who coolly slotted into the far corner – his sixth goal of the season.

That early blow was a wake-up call for Arsenal. Though they dominated possession, the hosts struggled to threaten and registered their first effort towards goal only in the 32nd minute. City, meanwhile, were content to sit deep, their compact shape more reminiscent of a parked bus than Guardiola’s usual expansive approach.

The second half was played almost entirely on Arsenal’s terms. City rarely broke forward, though Haaland forced a save from David Raya and Eberechi Eze was fortunate when his clearance ricocheted off Declan Rice and looped narrowly over the bar. Guardiola’s substitutions told the story: attackers were withdrawn in favour of defenders and holding midfielders, signalling a clear plan to protect the lead.

But Arteta had the final word. Deep into stoppage time, super-sub Gabriel Martinelli latched onto a vertical pass and delicately lifted the ball over the stranded Gianluigi Donnarumma to level the match at 1-1.

Arsenal keep pace, City falter

It was another demanding test for Arsenal, who dropped points but remain firmly positioned as Liverpool’s main challengers in the Premier League title race. For Manchester City, though, the gap to the leaders continues to widen.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Arsenal - Manchester City 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Håland E., 9 (0:1); Martinelli, 93 (1:1)

Arsenal: Raya; Saliba; Gabriel M.; Timber J. (Martinelli, 80); Calafiori; Zubimendi (Mosquera Cr., 98); Merino (Eze, 46); Rice; Madueke (Saka B., 46); Gyökeres; Trossard (Nwaneri, 84)
Substitution: Saka B. (from 46); Eze (from 46); Martinelli (from 80); Nwaneri (from 84); Mosquera Cr. (from 98)
Bench: Arrizabalaga; White B.; Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard
Yellow Cards: Timber J. 46

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Gvardiol; Dias R.; Khusanov (Matheus Nunes, 46); Reijnders; Rodri; Bernardo Silva; Foden (Ake, 68); O'Reilly (Stones, 87); Håland E. (Nico González, 76); Doku J. (Sávio Moreira, 87)
Substitution: Matheus Nunes (from 46); Ake (from 68); Nico González (from 76); Stones (from 87); Sávio Moreira (from 87)
Bench: Trafford; Lewis R.; Bobb
Yellow Cards: Bernardo Silva 36; Donnarumma G. 77