Martinelli rescues Gunners as Pep’s caution backfires

GABRIEL Martinelli rescued Arsenal as the Brazilian’s last-gasp equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw against Manchester cy on Sunday when Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics backfired at the Emirates Stadium.

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With City clinging to the lead given to them by Erling Haaland early in the first half, Guardiola made a series of unusually cautious substitutions that left his side without a recognised striker on the pitch in the closing stages.

It was the kind of rearguard action rarely associated with the attack-minded Guardiola, but his willingness to sacrifice purist principles for a more pragmatic approach came back to haunt him. A change made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta proved decisive, as Martinelli came off the bench to spare his team from a second defeat to a title rival after their loss at champions Liverpool in August.

Arsenal moved up to second place, five points behind Liverpool, while City languish in ninth with just two wins from their first five league matches. Already eight points adrift of Liverpool, Guardiola’s men need significant improvement to catch Arne Slot’s pacesetters, who have won their first five matches.