GABRIEL MARTIELLI stole a late winner for Arsenal to kick their title problem into life.
The Gunners had been off the tempo and disjointed – as they’ve been for a lot of the season – going ahead till the Brazilian marked his return from damage with an enormous winner.
Arsenal defeated Manchester Metropolis because of a late winnerCredit score: Getty
It was 4 subs who mixed for the aim, Thomas Partey launching a ball ahead for Takehiro Tomiyasu to nod down for Kai Havertz.
The German laid the ball off to Martinelli, whose highly effective drive deflected off Nathan Ake and previous Ederson.
That ended a run of 12 straight Premier League defeats towards the champions.
SunSport’s Jack Rosser charges every Arsenal participant on the Emirates beneath:
David Raya – 6
Survived a particularly erratic first half during which his passing was wayward and nervy, however recovered with a formidable and commanding show within the second.
Had little to cope with in the way in which of pictures from Metropolis however claimed crosses and corners nicely and improved on the ball.
Ben White – 7
Confronted with Phil Foden attempting to pull him all around the present after which the pacey Jeremy Doku seeking to race past, White stood agency towards something all afternoon.
Restricted going ahead however protecting this Metropolis facet out is a mammoth process earlier than you’ll be able to even take into consideration attacking.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Gabriel made an outstanding flying interception to cease a cross reaching a Metropolis shirt within the first half and held on in nicely when there have been spells of stress from the guests.
A clear sheet which may show so precious come the tip of the marketing campaign.
William Saliba was immaculate on the ball towards Metropolis
William Saliba – 8
The largest reward you may give Arsenal’s central pairing is that Erling Haaland didn’t rating, because of barely being allowed a contact by Saliba.
Arsenal’s French centre half adopted the Norwegian in every single place and all the time appeared a step forward.
Saliba was calm on the ball on the again when goalkeeper Raya was struggling within the first half, too.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7
Struggled to get ahead for probably the most half however dealt extraordinarily nicely with the specter of Kyle Walker and Julian Alvarez down Metropolis’s proper – earlier than being additional examined by each Doku and Foden.
Jorginho – 6
The Italy worldwide was a composed presence within the center for the Gunners.
Neat and tidy on the ball, however Jorginho struggled to take a agency maintain on the midfield battle towards a weakened Metropolis facet.
Jorginho loved loads of possession towards Man Metropolis
Declan Rice confirmed why Mikel Arteta was so determined to signal him
Declan Rice – 7
The previous West Ham man confirmed precisely why these two sides had been combating over his signature in the summertime.
Rice made a significant clearance off the road after simply 5 minutes and chipped in with some essential challenges when Arsenal had been struggling early on.
Has introduced management and ambition to Arsenal’s midfield however couldn’t contribute as a lot as he would have appreciated going ahead.
Martin Odegaard – 6
Took the lead when Arsenal had been underneath the cosh within the first half, pumping up followers to get issues going once more.
His actions on the ball, nonetheless, bought few off their seats because the skipper was restricted to efforts from vary – and poor ones at that.
Leandro Trossard – 5
The Belgian labored laborious off the ball to attempt to maintain Metropolis at bay however provided subsequent to nothing in possession and was hooked at half-time.
It was hardly a robust case to maintain Martinelli or Saka out of the facet after the worldwide break.
Gabriel Jesus was caught out vast on the suitable wing
Gabriel Jesus – 6
A number of flashes of inspiration from the Brazilian, however the former Metropolis man struggled to make too massive an affect towards his outdated facet from a place on the wing.
Many Gunners followers will really feel he’d be much more precious by the center.
Eddie Nketiah – 5
Fought nicely from the entrance after a tough begin for the Gunners however needed to go searching for the ball at instances and was largely ineffective within the remaining third.
SUBS
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Injected some life into the Arsenal assault instantly after the break.
Few had been anticipating to see Martinelli launched as early because the restart however the Brazilian winger despatched one harmful cross in along with his first involvement and adopted it rapidly with Arsenal’s first shot on track.
He got here up with the essential winner after 88 minutes too, nonetheless pushing ahead and rewarded for his gamble of a strong effort on aim.
Kai Havertz – 6
Confirmed composure to put the ball off for Martinelli when surrounded by Metropolis gamers on the sting of the field.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
Not recognized for his attacking skills however picked Havertz out nicely earlier than the German arrange the late winner.
Thomas Partey – 6
A participant Arteta and Arsenal will probably be delighted to have again. Having sat and watched the regular, affected person construct up come to nothing all afternoon the midfielder determined to go lengthy late on which introduced concerning the winner.