Erling Haaland’s early goal and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time equalizer delivered a 1-1 draw from a pulsating clash between Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
MORE — Mikel Arteta, Arsenal reaction | Pep Guardiola, Man City reaction
Both teams were coming off Champions League midweek matches, but Arsenal had two extra days’ rest and were just about favorites to collect the points.
WATCH — Arsenal vs Manchester City full match replay
But Haaland’s sixth goal of the season and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s stellar command of his box had City en route to a third-straight clean sheet win in all competitions, as the reinvigorated City beat Manchester United and Napoli.
Mikel Arteta may again come under scrutiny for his tactics and player selection, but it won’t be as thick as he might’ve faced had Eberechi Eze not picked out Martinelli for an equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time.
Arsenal get huge chance, take bare minimum: Will Arteta ever go for it?
It’s Week 5 and there’s so much left on the docket but there’s no question that games between Arsenal, Man City, and Liverpool have meant so much to the last few Premier League title races. So what a massive opportunity was presented to Arsenal when the UEFA Champions League draw said they would be hosting Manchester City on Sunday with the Gunners boasting two more days’ rest than their visitors. Yes, Arsenal had to travel back from Spain on Tuesday but that’s only worth so much. The Gunners did not have Martin Odegaard and there’s no full fitness for Bukayo Saka, who came on at halftime. But given all of the above and Mikel Arteta’s tactical choice to start Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino instead of Eberechi Eze, it begs the question of whether Arteta has the gumption to attack a top rival. Excuses can be made, but it’s a valid question. (NM)
Arteta’s biggest test might be squad selection (especially with Eze and Odegaard)
Arsenal may well be the deepest and most talented team in the England, and Arteta can only choose so many players. He can also only put so many players in their best positions. And it may not be possible most weeks to play Martin Odegaard, who was injured today, and Eberechi Eze at the same time in their best spots. Eze is so much better centrally than on the wing, but he may have to be there when Odegaard is healthy. Noni Madueke looks wonderful and may need to play on the left side often when Bukayo Saka is healthy. Young players Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri will now properly have to scrap for minutes. (NM)
Man City done dirty by fixture list
We mentioned it above, but Arsenal playing Tuesday and Man City on Thursday was a massive advantage to the Gunners. Some might say that Arsenal’s game being in Spain leveled some of that advantage but City also had to travel to London for this one. At this stage of the season, Pep Guardiola had every right to be furious about this kickoff (especially if you’re someone lending credence to Arne Slot’s anger about kicking off early on Saturday). Guardiola might’ve attacked this game differently and rotated more, and who knows if his approach played into his players’ defense-first attitudes, but the calendar was undoubtedly an advocate for Arsenal this month. (NM)
What’s next?
Man City head to Huddersfield Town for a League Cup third round tie on Wednesday, then host Burnley at 10am ET Saturday.
Arsenal go to Port Vale on Wednesday in the League Cup, then head up north for a test at Newcastle United on Sunday.
How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday
Venue: Emirates Stadium — North London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Arsenal vs Manchester City final score: 1-1
Erling Haaland 9', Gabriel Martinelli 90+3'
Arsenal vs Manchester City live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright at Emirates Stadium
Gabriel Martinelli goal!!
Donnarumma’s been solved!
Eberechi Eze sends a gorgeous pass to Martinelli, who has raced between Ake and Gvardiol to reach the 18, popping a ball over the reach of a Donnarumma!
1-1. (NM)
Two more moves for City
John Stones is into the game, with Nico O’Reilly making way.
Jeremy Doku has been replaced by Savinho. We’re into the 88th minute. (NM)
Enter Nwaneri
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri will take the place of Leandro Trossard in the 84th minute. (NM)
Arteta goes for it
Ten minutes left and Arteta is removing fullback Jurrien Timber for Gabriel Martinelli. Can Arsenal find an equalizer? (NM)
Man City thick at the back
Haaland exits in favor of Nico Gonzalez, giving City five backs and two holding midfielders in their bid to hang on for a point in North London. (NM)
How are Arsenal not level!?
After a corner caused chaos at the back post, Trossard’s cross from the left somehow misses all of Arsenal’s players in the box with Gyokeres lurking. How!? It looked like the ball took a slight flick off Ruben Dias. Arsenal pushing so hard for an equalizer. Saka, Eze and Trossard are so lively and City are struggling to keep them at bay but they are digging deep.
Big chance for City but Raya saves!
Doku wriggles free and slots Haaland clean through... but Haaland’s finish is straight at Raya. Eze then clears the rebound but it bounces off Rice and almost goes in. Haaland could have squared it to Foden. It feels like a huge moment in this game...
Donnarumma pushes away a volley from Eze
Arsenal are pushing hard now and another cross drops down for Eze. He pings it on the half volley but Donnarumma gets his massive arms up to block it. Lovely strike. Lovely save.
Zubimendi curls over the bar
Good cross from the right is cleared but only to Martin Zubimendi. He curls a beauty just over. He should hit the target. He knows it.
Eze and Saka on at half time!
Wow. Mikel Arteta has brought on both Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze at half time for Merino and Madueke. It’s a surprise to see Madueke come off. But Eze on for Merino is a great move. Nunes is on for Khusanov at right back, presumably after the whack the latter took in the second half.
Half time: Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
That was a fun first half. City got the early goal on the counter and that is exactly what they wanted to take the sting out of the game. Arsenal have kept plugging away and Madueke has come closest. What a second half we have coming up.
Madueke denied by Donnarumma!
Arsenal are flying forward and Madueke first has a cross clawed away by Donnarumma. Moments later Madueke is played in and drills a shot at the near post which Donnarumma brilliantly beats away.
Noni Madueke has been excellent, once again, for Arsenal. Even if they bring on Bukayo Saka in the second half, Madueke has to stay on the pitch. Madueke, Eze and Saka in front of Rice and Zubimendi for the 2nd half, Arsenal fans? #AFC #MCFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 21, 2025
Better from Arsenal!
After a driving run from Rice gets Arsenal’s fans on their feet, the move ends with a cross being dinked in towards Gyokeres and the ball finds Madueke. His effort is deflected over and Saliba heads over from the corner. That’s more like it from Arsenal. Rice’s run opened up a lot of space.
Donnarumma somehow clears under pressure
City play the ball back to Donnarumma and Gyokeres is closing him down quickly. The Italian goalkeeper somehow just flicks the ball away and City managed to clear the danger. That was very risky, and unnecessary, from City.
Stale going forward from the Gunners
This all feels quite predictable from Arsenal in attack at the moment. Way too easy for Manchester City to pick up runners as they sit in and defend. This is exactly what City want after that early Haaland goal. Arsenal aren’t dragging City out of position at all.
Saka gets a lovely round of applause as he warms up
How soon will we see this superstar? Bukayo Saka is back from his hamstring problem and is out warming up on the sidelines. Arsenal’s fans are delighted to see Saka back. Perhaps he will come on for the final 30 minutes? Feels about right. Tension is building here among the home fans as we approach half time. City are looking solid enough as they protect their lead.
Game is bubbling up nicely
Arsenal building some momentum here. They have to get Madueke and Trossard more involved. Manchester City look dangerous on the counter. #AFC 0-1 #MCFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 21, 2025
Arsenal a bit stunned by that Haaland goal
They’ve had a few corners and tried to get the ball wide early and often, but that Haaland goal has knocked Arsenal, and their fans, off their stride. Arsenal certainly aren’t used to being behind at home.
Haaland finishes on the counter!
Well, well, well... 1-0 to Manchester City! Erling Haaland finishes on the counter! It had been all Arsenal before that, but City break and Haaland beats Gabriel for pace, is played clean through by the rampaging Reijnders and finishes calmly. Wow. The away end, the City bench and all of the City players have gone bonkers here in north London. That is the first goal Arsenal have conceded from open play this season.
Fast start from Arsenal
Lots of pressing high from Arsenal and City can’t quite handle it. City have hardly had the ball.
🚨Hello everyone! Welcome to the Emirates! What an atmosphere here for Arsenal vs Manchester City.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 21, 2025
WATCH LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/FAmjZ9dsbk
3 things to look for today ⤵️ #AFC #MCFC #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/AQ2Dy79rqk
Team news is intriguing!
Okay, this huge game has some pretty huge team news. William Saliba is fit and returns at center back for Arsenal, while Leandro Trossard comes in for Eberechi Eze on the left. There is no place for Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal squad due to his injury, while Bukayo Saka is back fit enough for a spot on the bench. That is a huge boost. City are unchanged from the team which beat Manchester United last weekend and Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday, as Pep Guardiola has found some much-needed balance defensively. The atmosphere is building!
Arsenal lineup
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland
Arsenal team news, focus
OUT: Kai Havertz (knee - MORE), Gabriel Jesus (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Bukayo Saka (hamstring - MORE), Ben White (unspecified), Martin Odegaard (shoulder - MORE), William Saliba (ankle - MORE)
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Rayan Ait Nouri (undisclosed injury), Mateo Kovacic (calf), Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Cherki (thigh), Kalvin Phillips (achilles) | QUESTIONABLE: John Stones (undisclosed), Marcus Bettinelli (knock)
Arsenal vs Manchester City preview
The sides’ last meeting was Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of City on Groundhog Day 2025, as Declan Rice set up two goals and five different Gunners were amongst the goals in North London.
Both teams had midweek Champions League action, with Arsenal winning 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday and Man City taking down 10-man Napoli 2-0 on Thursday. Arsenal have done a bit better than City in Premier League play, their nine points putting them in second place heading into Week 5. But City can join Arsenal on nine points with a win if they can build on their Manchester derby win. A multi-goal win would send Man City ahead of Arsenal at this early stage of the season.
Arsenal vs Manchester City prediction
Man City were home on Thursday and perhaps that’ll offset some of the advantage Arsenal will have from playing two days prior in Spain. It’s difficult to project this game without knowing if Arsenal have Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and/or William Saliba, while Man City’s lack of fitness in the center of the park is also a huge variable. The biggest question, however, is how conservative Arteta will have his Gunners play at home. It will be a surprise if they go for it. Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City.
