Arsenal snatches late point, but fails to make a statement

LONDON — Arsenal's second big test of its title credentials this season ended inconclusively, with a late Gabriel Martinelli goal sparing it a damaging defeat at home to Manchester City, as it failed to make a telling statement in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

After losing 1-0 at Premier League champion Liverpool last month — its first defeat in 23 league games against the so-called big six — victory over City felt like a requirement.

Trailing to Erling Haaland's well-taken early goal, Arsenal lacked a real goal threat, with big-money summer signing Viktor Gyokeres again struggling without quality service.

It looked like City, content to sit deep and defend its area, would hold out until Martinelli's deft lob from a precision pass by fellow substitute Eberechi Eze allowed Arsenal to avoid a second league defeat of the season.

"We've obviously gained the respect of the opposition," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said.

"We probably haven't dominated a game against Man City as we did today."

Summer signing Eze, and Bukayo Saka, were both introduced at halftime, and, while that underlined the attacking tools Mikel Arteta has at his disposal, it also fueled suggestions that he is yet to find the best way to utilize them.

While Arsenal's record against the big six — Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur — under Arteta looks decent, his side has only won one of its last five against Liverpool in the league and two against City.

Those clashes have generally proved pivotal in recent Premier League title races and the fear for Arsenal fans after Sunday's draw is that the team will rue the defeat at Anfield and these points dropped against a City side still in flux.

On the positive side, Arteta is now the first manager to go five games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola in league games (winning two and drawing three), but once the dust settles, he will feel as though an opportunity to damage City was missed.

"That doesn't make me happy, the thing I wanted today was to win the game," he said.

The Spaniard argued that his side played better than it did when beating City 5-1 at home last season, but second-placed Arsenal is already five points behind clinical defending champion Liverpool.

"We cannot control that. They win every match. It's going to be very difficult, but if we play at this level, like we did against Manchester City, we will be fine," he said.

Such was the impact of Arsenal's substitutes, questions might be raised about Arteta's starting lineup.

"They are all going to play. They will all have an opportunity. We're going to need them at that level. There is no question," Arteta, whose side has finished runner-up three seasons in succession, said.

"I'm so proud of my players, the way we played, the way we dominated almost every aspect of the game. Very disappointed not to win the game."

Arsenal is away at Newcastle United this weekend, before London derbies against West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace — and the target will be 12 points if it is to keep on the heels of Arne Slot's relentless Liverpool team.

REUTERS