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 City on Sunday when Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics backfired at the Emirates Stadium.

- 

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.