LONDON: The brilliance of Gabriel Martinelli as substitute, for the second time in a week, rescued a 1-1 draw for Arsenal from what would have been a painful home defeat by Manchester City.

City manager Pep Guardiola had sought in vain to take a leaf out of the defensive playbook of his old nemesis, Jose Mourinho. But an early goal from Erling Haaland and a packed defence was not quite enough as Martinelli, three minutes into stoppage time, repeated by midweek trick against Napoli to save the day.

Both managers, Mikel Arteta and Guardiola, had reason at the final whistle to be both content yet disappointed.

Liverpool’s Merseyside derby success had not only extended their 100pc start to the Premier League campaign but thrown down an intimidating challenge to both Arsenal and City. The Reds’ success in the opening five matchdays meant that priority for both teams in north London was not to lose and risk losing ground, even this early, in the title race.

Guardiola has won 10 trophies in the past six years during which Arteta, his former assistant, has won only one. This personal pressure on the Arsenal manager had been exacerbated by the club’s summer spending. He now boasts the squad depth and attacking power which he had lacked in previous seasons. No excuses for him then, either this season or in this match.

The size of Arsenal’s task was increased after only nine minutes. Arsenal pressed deep into City’s half and there appeared little danger when Haaland cleared out to Tijjani Reijnders. The Norwegian then arrowed deep into Arsenal territory to convert the return pass into his 131^st City goal. Arsenal had conceded from open play in the league for the first time.

Arsenal responded energetically, winning three corners in quick succession, without  seriously troubling Gianluigi Donnarumma on what was his third City appearance in a week. In fact City had generated one the only direct first-half opportunity with Reijnders drawing a save from David Raya.

Haaland’s early goal had allowed City to maintain a strategy of caution, sitting deep and stifling whatever Arsenal might throw at them. The Gunners had obviously missed the movement and invention of injured captain Martin Odegaard. Arteta’s halftime answer to the challenged was to bring on fit-again Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze for the anonymous Mikel Merino.

A reorganised Arsenal raised the tempo and almost earned instant reward.

A low drive from Eze surprised Donnarumma who pushed the shot out and was fortunate that no Arsenal player was on hand to capitalise. Haaland, on the break, was denied by Raya but otherwise it was all Arsenal. Guardiola’s concerns were reflected in both a yellow card for dissent and his replacement of Phil Foden with an extra defender in Nathan Ake.

But it was Martinelli’s replacement of Jurrien Timber which proved more important.

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