With just under ten minutes on the clock, Arsenal went behind after a smooth City breakaway. Tijjani Reijnders led a counter attack right through the centre of the pitch, teeing up Erling Haaland to finish from close range.
The hosts scarcely troubled their visitors during the opening 45 minutes, and Mikel Arteta sought to make amends by bringing on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze for the start of the second half. The latter forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save with a neat half-volley soon after coming on, much to the delight of a frustrated home crowd, while David Raya produced a low stop to keep out Haaland at the other end.
Heading into seven minutes of added time, there seemed little hope of Arsenal finding a leveller, but one move changed everything. Eze picked out the run of Gabriel Martinelli over the top, and the Brazilian produced a piece of magic to dink Donnarumma and snatch a point for the resilient Gunners.
BALLGM rates Arsenal’s players from the Emirates…
With just under ten minutes on the clock, Arsenal went behind after a smooth City breakaway. Tijjani Reijnders led a counter attack right through the centre of the pitch, teeing up Erling Haaland to finish from close range.
The hosts scarcely troubled their visitors during the opening 45 minutes, and Mikel Arteta sought to make amends by bringing on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze for the start of the second half. The latter forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save with a neat half-volley soon after coming on, much to the delight of a frustrated home crowd, while David Raya produced a low stop to keep out Haaland at the other end.
Heading into seven minutes of added time, there seemed little hope of Arsenal finding a leveller, but one move changed everything. Eze picked out the run of Gabriel Martinelli over the top, and the Brazilian produced a piece of magic to dink Donnarumma and snatch a point for the resilient Gunners.
BALLGM rates Arsenal’s players from the Emirates…
David Raya (6/10):
Made a smart stop to keep out Haaland in the second half though had no chance getting to the Norwegian’s opener.
Jurrien Timber (5/10):
Usually a lock-down defender, Timber will probably happy to see the back of the rejuvenated Jeremy Doku. Taken off for Martinelli late on with Arsenal chasing a goal.
William Saliba (5/10):
Made his first start on return from an injury sustained in last month’s defeat at Liverpool, which may have explained why he was so tentative with his indecisive defending leading to City’s early strike.
Gabriel Magalhaes (5/10):
Pushed high into the City half leaving Saliba hugely exposed for Haaland to break the deadlock.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
One of Arsenal’s most progressive players with his willingness to get forward, both overlapping down the line and underlapping inside.
Martin Zubimendi (6/10):
A calm head in the storm, getting his head up to keep possession ticking. Unfortunately, he was still second-best to compatriot Rodri in this department. Taken off for Mosquera in stoppage time at the end of the second half.
Mikel Merino (5/10):
Offered very little in the midfield battle and was withdrawn for Eze at the break.
Declan Rice (5/10):
So often has Rice come up trumps in these huge games for Arsenal that we now expect the outrageous from him in them. Alas, this was a quiet performance by his standards.
Noni Madueke (6/10):
Arsenal’s brightest performer in what was a pretty turgid first half. Sacrificed at half-time for Saka.
Viktor Gyokeres (3/10):
Stuck out like a sore thumb in the worst way possible. Couldn’t get the ball to stick to him, couldn’t connect with his team-mates and fluffed his lines on the rare occasions he was within striking distance.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
A surprise starter when the lineups were announced, and you’d have forgiven Arteta for hooking the Belgian. More of a source of inspiration in the second half, at least. Withdrawn for Nwaneri for the closing stages.
Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Introduced at the break for Madueke, marking his own comeback from injury. Gave the Gunners that initial shot in the arm as hoped but couldn’t sustain that impact.
Eberechi Eze (8/10):
Dropped out of the starting lineup but was restored to the XI for the second half. Like Saka was positive to begin with, faded away, before blossoming again with an incredible assist for Martinelli.
Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):
Subbed on for Timber in hope of reproducing his heroics off the bench at Athletic Club on Tuesday, and there was an even more dramatic finale on this occasion. Excelling as a ‘finisher’ for this deep squad.
Ethan Nwaneri (N/A):
Brought on for Trossard for the last few minutes.
Cristhian Mosquera (N/A):
Came on in stoppage time for Zubimendi.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Got the starting lineup wrong with so many conservative choices, though did rectify this after only 45 minutes of football.
