Arsenal deny City late as Martinelli rescues point after Guardiola kiss moment

Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time equaliser earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday, moments after Pep Guardiola was seen leaning in to kiss fourth official Craig Pawson on the cheek. Cameras captured the moment just minutes before Gabriel Martinelli latched on to an Eberechi Eze through ball and finished calmly past Gianluigi Donnarumma to rescue a point for Arsenal. The stoppage-time drama kept the contest in balance and sparked online debate about the touchline moment as the final whistle approached.

City had led since the ninth minute after Erling Haaland rolled a low finish past David Raya at the end of a sweeping counter-attack. The early opener suggested City were on track to take all three points, but Arsenal regrouped after the break and pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half. The stoppage-time strike capped a late-pressing period for Arsenal, who were boosted by changes introduced at halftime.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had again deployed a midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, but the team struggled for cutting edge before the break. The introduction of Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka at half-time gave Arsenal greater urgency, and they pressed City higher up the pitch as the hour mark passed. City, who shifted to a back five late on to protect their lead, continued to threaten on the counter through Jeremy Doku, but could not finish the game off and were left to rue the late concession.

Martinelli's equaliser arrived in the 93rd minute after Eze threaded the ball through to the Brazilian, who calmly lifted his finish over the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma. The goal extended Arsenal's recent progress against Guardiola, with Arteta's side going five successive matches unbeaten against City in all competitions.

Liverpool now lead the Premier League by five points, while City sit ninth on seven points and Arsenal reclaimed second place with 10 points from their first five matches. The result adds to the sense that the early season title race remains open, with both teams taking positives and learning lessons from a dramatic late twist. Arteta acknowledged the shift in momentum, noting that his side's performance showed character after a quiet first half and a sharper response after the break. The two clubs will look ahead to upcoming fixtures hoping to convert chances into control, and fans will be watching closely for how rarely seen touchline moments influence on-pitch outcomes in a season that already promises high drama.