Arsenal finally crack champions City as Martinelli settles tense tussle
Premier League: Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City 0
It is what is called getting your substitutions right. As Mikel Arteta luxuriated in his first league win against Manchester City as a manager, one to enhance seriously the title prospects of his Arsenal team, to fortify their belief, he could reflect on how his stars had aligned after a triple change on 76 minutes.
For so long, it had looked as though it could be another refereeing story. Nobody knows how this showpiece would have panned out if Mateo Kovacic had been sent off in the 35th minute. But Arsenal would have liked to find out.
The City midfielder was a lucky boy. Already booked for a terrible tackle on Martin Ødegaard, Kovacic was playing with fire when he stretched in on Declan Rice to commit a clear foul. Rather than wave a second yellow card, which felt inevitable, the referee, Martin Oliver, allowed Kovacic to stay on.
Arsenal rode out the storm. Arteta had sent on the fit-again Gabriel Martinelli at the start of the second half for his first action in three weeks and his mass move was to introduce Thomas Partey (also back to fitness), Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz. The trio would link up to create the big chance for Martinelli towards the end and how he took it.
Partey played a high diagonal, Tomiyasu headed back, Havertz made the lay-off. And when Martinelli shot, it deflected wickedly off Nathan Aké to sink City. Arsenal had lost their previous 12 games against the champions in this competition. They sorely needed to make a statement.
The victory was built on emotional control and concentration out of possession. Arsenal restricted City, especially Erling Haaland, and Martinelli blew a cagey game open to spark delirium; a bit of post-match tunnel
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