Arsenal finally ended their 12-game losing streak in Sunday’s encounter with Manchester City in the Premier League after Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 87th minute to secure a 1-0 win over the defending champions.
In a cagey match that featured few quality chances for either side, substitutes Kai Havertz and Martinelli combined for a late winner that made the Emirates crowd erupted.
Havertz laid the ball off for Martinelli, whose shot from outside the area took a deflection to wrongfoot City goalkeeper Ederson.
City had the better of the chances in the first half, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice clearing off the line early on to keep the champions at bay, while the hosts failed to register a shot on target in the opening period.
Arsenal upped the tempo after the break but still lacked that killer instinct in attack, with City still creating the better openings even though Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland was kept quiet all afternoon.
The game appeared to be edging toward a stalemate before Martinelli struck four minutes from time, with a deflection off City defender Nathan Ake taking the ball past keeper Ederson.
The goal sparked wild celebrations at the Emirates, as Arsenal moved above City into second place on 20 points, two above the champions, and trailing Spurs only on goals scored.