Martinelli magic saves Arsenal

Villa still clueless, Black Cats bite back

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Gabriel Martinelli’s 93rd minute equaliser saved Arsenal's Premier League title bid from a damaging defeat to Manchester City, while Aston Villa remain winless after a limp 1-1 draw at 10-man Sunderland.

The Gunners were heading to a second defeat in five Premier League games due to Erling Haaland’s early strike on the counterattack for City.

Martinelli came off the bench to score for the second time in a week to salvage a 1-1 draw, but both sides lost more ground to Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal went second, five points behind the champions, while City are eight points off the top in ninth.

“Very disappointed not to win,’ said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “I think we played better than last year when we beat them [5-1]?

Arteta’s men had not conceded from open play in their first five Premier League and Champions League games this season, but were opened up on nine minutes by the scintillating form of arguably the world’s best striker.