In a highly anticipated and exhilarating football match held at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal defeated the defending Premier League champions, Manchester City, in a 1-0 thriller.
The home team’s unwavering defence, despite the numerous attempts on goal by the visitors, proved to be the decisive factor in the match.
It was a historic victory for Arsenal as they broke their losing streak against Manchester City in the league since December 2015.
The match started with Arsenal looking nervy in the early stages, missing their injured talisman, Bukayo Saka, for most of the game.
Nevertheless, they held onto their defence and capitalized on their chances.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli stepped off the bench and slammed in a late winner for the Gunners, securing their first win over Manchester City in the league in the last 12 matches.
The Brazilian winger had missed the last five matches with injury, but his return gave Arsenal added impetus when he came on at half-time.
He grabbed a dramatic clincher with just four minutes of normal time remaining, firing at goal after receiving the ball from Kai Havertz.
A deflection off Nathan Ake did for Ederson, and the ball found its way into the net.
Manchester City had only four shots in the match, which is the fewest shots a Pep Guardiola side has had in a top-flight game since April 2010 with Barcelona against Espanyol.
Arsenal struck first, and they were minutes away from going ahead of Man City in the table.
The long ball finds Tomiyasu to the left of the area, who feeds Havertz in the box.
The German holds it up and finds Martinelli on the edge, and he fires at goal.
A BIG deflection off Ake and Ederson had no chance.
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There was a bit of tension between some Manchester City players and the Arsenal bench as the visiting team walked back to the tunnel.
Erling Haaland, who did not look happy, was among them, and so was Arsenal coach Nico Jover.
The result would have been different if Mateo Kovacic had been sent off in the first half for a tackle that saw his studs collide with Martin Odegaard’s ankle.
However, he received only a yellow card and was not punished for a similar foul on Declan Rice six minutes later.
Arsenal will see the outcome as justice delivered.
With this victory, Arsenal goes into the international break level on points with their neighbours Tottenham at the top of the table.
As for Man City, they are just two points behind but have suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time in five years, suggesting that the treble holders may be more vulnerable than in previous campaigns.
Arsenal’s next match is against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the league on Saturday, October 21, after the international break, from 5 pm, with kick-off at 5.30 pm.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will host Brighton in the league on Saturday, October 21, with kick-off at 3 pm.
