Arsenal Needed the Draw, While Pep’s Defensive Strategy Backfired

Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike carried the feel of a season-defining moment in the title chase. Yet while Arsenal fans will savor a late equalizer at the Emirates, the biggest beneficiaries of the result were neither side on the pitch but rather Liverpool, the reigning champions and current league leaders.

Neither Arsenal nor Manchester City has started this campaign in ideal fashion. Arsenal have managed only a single point in matches against their closest competitors, while Pep Guardiola’s team have stumbled to seven points from their first five league outings. This has been City’s poorest opening since the 2006/07 season.

For Guardiola, it could have been far better. His team came within minutes of three consecutive wins without conceding, a streak that would have sent a message across the division. Instead, the late goal left City with their leanest start in two decades.

Arsenal Avoid Disaster with Last-Gasp Goal

Arsenal entered this game knowing defeat was not an option. Having already fallen 1-0 at Anfield earlier in the season, a second straight loss to a direct rival could have been a damaging psychological blow.

For that reason, Mikel Arteta will privately accept a point with satisfaction, even if supporters glance nervously at the table. Liverpool’s flawless record has placed them five points clear of both Arsenal and City, and with Chelsea dropping points over the weekend, Arne Slot’s squad is beginning to look firmly in control.

Still, Arsenal’s position could have been worse. The Gunners have only one point from possible six against their two biggest challengers, raising questions about whether their progress has stalled. Yet the atmosphere after Martinelli’s equalizer felt more like a victory. Securing second place in the table with such resilience offers encouragement that would have vanished in the gloom of defeat.

Guardiola Goes Old-School Defensive

The biggest surprise of the evening was Guardiola’s tactical approach. Known for his expansive, possession-heavy football, the City manager instead adopted a strategy more reminiscent of Jose Mourinho at his peak, defending deep, slowing the tempo, and counter-attacking when opportunities arose.

Why such conservatism? Perhaps Guardiola had noticed Arsenal’s difficulties breaking down compact defenses. Maybe he feared a repeat of last season’s 5-1 humiliation at the Emirates. Or, as he hinted, fatigue from Thursday’s Champions League clash with Napoli forced his hand.

Speaking to Sky Sports afterward, Guardiola admitted, “They [Arsenal] were better, and we were incredibly tired. We don’t want to play like this, but when the opponent is stronger, we defend deeper and look to counter.”

City’s shape told the story. They dropped into a low block, leaned on the pace of Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku on the break, and even switched to a back five for the closing 20 minutes. It was arguably the most defensive setup ever fielded by a Guardiola team.

The numbers back this up. City recorded just 32 percent possession, the lowest figure across Guardiola’s 601 top-flight league matches. They also managed only eight touches inside Arsenal’s penalty area, their fewest in 327 Premier League games under his reign.

Remarkably, the system was working until the final minutes. Only once did City’s defensive discipline falter, pushing too high instead of holding position. In that instant, substitute Eberechi Eze lofted a clever ball over the top, and Martinelli pounced.

It highlighted the psychological strain of defending for so long. Holding shape and concentration until the final whistle demands enormous focus, and City’s one slip cost them dearly.

Arteta’s Bold Substitutions Shift Momentum

While Arteta may face criticism for his initial cautious selection, mirroring the approach that backfired in the loss at Anfield, his in-game management deserves credit.

Recognizing the need for creativity, Arteta replaced Mikel Merino with Eberechi Eze at halftime, a move that immediately added spark. Eze’s assist for Martinelli underscored why Arsenal invested in squad depth: last season, when Martin Ødegaard was unavailable, the Gunners lacked anyone to replicate his playmaking role.

This time, however, they had options. Eze’s influence suggested that Arsenal finally have the tools to break down deep defenses, something that could prove vital as the campaign progresses.

The question is whether Arsenal’s improved depth can keep pace with Liverpool. The champions’ bench against Everton featured the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, game-changers who underline just how strong Slot’s squad remains.

Both Teams Drop Ground in the Title Race

Despite the drama, the outcome ultimately suits Liverpool best. Arsenal rescued a point that preserves optimism, City saw their defensive gamble undone, and both contenders ceded ground to the leaders.

For Arsenal, Martinelli’s late equalizer feels like proof of resilience. For City, the match exposed both fatigue and an unusual vulnerability under Guardiola. And for Liverpool, watching from afar, it was another step toward establishing early control of the title race.

The season is still young, but the Emirates showdown showed how fine margins can shape momentum. Arsenal may celebrate a hard-fought draw, City may lament two points lost, but Liverpool will walk away as the weekend’s true winners.