In a week marked by late-game heroics, Gabriel Martinelli once again emerged as Arsenal's savior, securing a crucial point with his second super-sub goal in as many matches. The young Brazilian's knack for finding the net when it matters most has sparked excitement among the Gunners faithful, hinting at his potential to become a consistent game-changer.

However, while Martinelli's late equalizer against Manchester City was undoubtedly a moment of brilliance, the broader question looms large: will such individual moments be enough to propel Arsenal from perennial contenders to genuine title challengers? The Premier League demands consistency, tactical prowess, and a collective resilience, qualities that Arsenal are still striving to fully embody.

Martinelli's goal, a delicate chip over the imposing Gianluigi Donnarumma, was a testament to his composure and technical skill. The Brazilian youth demonstrated his ability to read the game and capitalize on fleeting opportunities. But against a team like Manchester City, even moments of individual brilliance might not be enough to secure victory.

The Gunners find themselves already trailing the league leaders. The gap highlights the challenges that Mikel Arteta's side faces in their pursuit of the coveted Premier League title. Every dropped point becomes magnified, and the pressure to consistently deliver results intensifies with each passing week.

Martinelli's goal, a stylish lob that neutralized Erling Haaland's earlier strike, came just five days after he had initiated the scoring in Arsenal's 2-0 victory. This consistency suggests that Martinelli has the potential to be a player the Gunners can count on.

Manchester City, under the astute guidance of Pep Guardiola, resorted to the age-old tactics of time-wasting and strategic fouling to disrupt Arsenal's rhythm. Guardiola's decision to adopt a defensively-minded 5-4-1 formation in the later stages of the match served to stifle Arsenal's attacking impetus, much to the frustration of his former protégé, Mikel Arteta.

Arteta's team selection for the match raised eyebrows among some observers, with questions surrounding his decision to start with what some perceived as a cautious lineup. The absence of key attacking players in the starting eleven fueled the debate about whether Arteta had perhaps been overly respectful of the opposition.

For a significant portion of the game, the defining contrast between the two sides lay in their attacking spearheads. City boasted the services of Erling Haaland, a world-class Scandinavian striker with a proven goal-scoring pedigree, while Arsenal lacked a comparable figure to consistently lead their line.

Haaland's opening goal marked his 13th strike in just eight appearances for club and country this season, underscoring his remarkable form and his pivotal role in Manchester City's attacking arsenal. His ability to find the net with such regularity makes him a constant threat to any defense.

While Haaland was showcasing his imposing presence and relishing the physical battle against Arsenal's central defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba, Arsenal struggled to consistently penetrate City's well-organized backline. The Gunners needed to find a way to disrupt City's defensive structure.

Haaland's current form evokes memories of his sensational debut season in English football, when his prolific goal-scoring exploits sent shockwaves throughout the league and played a key role in Manchester City's historic Treble-winning campaign. He is back to the form that earned him such praise and adoration.

Questions had been raised about Arsenal's team selection, particularly the decisions to start with Madueke ahead of Saka or Martinelli on the left wing, and to deploy Merino in place of the injured Partey. These choices sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, with some suggesting that Arteta's lineup lacked the attacking firepower needed to truly challenge City.

The substitutions of Eze and Saka at halftime, in place of Merino and Madueke, felt like a tacit acknowledgment from Arteta that his initial tactical approach had not fully succeeded. The introduction of fresh legs and attacking impetus injected new energy into Arsenal's play.

Following a lackluster first-half performance, Arsenal showed signs of improvement after the interval. However, Guardiola's tactical switch to a more defensive posture made it increasingly difficult for Arsenal to break through. Then, Martinelli's late goal finally unlocked the City defense.

Guardiola's decision to name an unchanged starting eleven for the third consecutive match – a rarity for the Catalan tactician – reflected his belief in the consistency and cohesion of his team. That rare continuity paid dividends early on, as City established a foothold in the game.

Arsenal, who had enjoyed a flawless start to their home campaign with two victories and eight unanswered goals, found their defense breached within the opening minutes of the match. The early setback served as a wake-up call for the Gunners, highlighting the need for greater concentration and defensive solidity.

The move that led to City's opening goal showcased the team's slick passing and movement. A sweet reverse pass in the centre circle initiated the attack, followed by a well-timed run and a composed finish past Raya. The goal was a testament to City's attacking prowess.

Arsenal's sluggish start to the match was characterized by sloppy play, a lack of urgency, and an inability to win key battles. The team appeared to be lacking the sharpness and zip in their passing that had been evident in previous games, contributing to their early struggles.

As the first half wore on, the Emirates crowd grew increasingly agitated, directing their frustration towards the perceived time-wasting tactics employed by City goalkeeper Donnarumma. His delaying tactics when taking goal kicks drew the ire of the Arsenal faithful, who felt that City were deliberately trying to disrupt the flow of the game.

Amidst Arsenal's struggles, right-back Timber emerged as an unlikely source of attacking threat, showcasing his ability to drive forward and deliver crosses into the box. He was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating first-half performance for the Gunners.

The introduction of Saka and Eze at halftime injected fresh impetus into Arsenal's attack, and the team immediately displayed greater intensity and purpose. Saka's direct running and Eze's creativity helped to stretch the City defense and create more space for Arsenal's attacking players.

Arsenal's improved second-half performance saw them create several promising opportunities, with Saka and Eze both going close to scoring. A Saka cross found Martin Zubimendi, whose shot narrowly cleared the crossbar, while an Eze effort was pushed away by Donnarumma.

As the game approached its closing stages, Guardiola opted to prioritize defensive solidity, replacing Gyokeres and switching to a back-five formation. The tactical adjustment was a clear indication of City's desire to protect their lead and see out the game.

Donnarumma's persistent time-wasting tactics finally drew the attention of the referee, who issued the City goalkeeper a yellow card with just 14 minutes remaining. The caution served as a reminder that such gamesmanship would not be tolerated.

City's cynical approach in the closing stages of the match drew comparisons to the tactics often employed by Guardiola's old adversary, Jose Mourinho. The focus on stifling the opposition and running down the clock was a departure from Guardiola's usual expansive style of play.

Then, with just minutes remaining, Eze delivered a perfectly weighted pass over the City defense, and Martinelli calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing Donnarumma. The ball nestled inside the far post, sparking wild celebrations among the Arsenal supporters. It was the first goal Donnarumma had conceded in his three appearances for City, underscoring the significance of Martinelli's late intervention.