Arsenal ended their eight-year wait for a Premier League win over Manchester City as Gabriel Martinelli’s late strike sealed a dramatic 1-0 victory before the champions lost their cool in an ugly spat following Sunday’s damaging loss.
After 12 successive league defeats at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s men, the Gunners enjoyed a moment of sweet redemption at the Emirates Stadium.
With just four minutes left, Martinelli’s shot took a hefty deflection off City defender Nathan Ake, sparking wild celebrations as Arsenal clinched a top-flight success against the treble winners for the first time since December 2015.
Tempers flared after the final whistle as City stars Erling Haaland and Kyle Walker argued with members of Arsenal’s backroom and security staff as they walked towards the tunnel.
There appeared to be pushing between Haaland and Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, but Guardiola said: “I know what happened and I don’t want to say anything”, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refused to shed light on the incident.
Arsenal had beaten City on penalties in the Community Shield in August, but that victory in the curtain-raiser to the domestic season could not be taken as seriously as this potentially crucial result.
It lifted unbeaten Arsenal two points above third-placed City into second place, leaving them behind leaders Tottenham on goals scored.
