Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, 21 September 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Blimey, what a nail-biter at the Emirates! Arsenal and Manchester City battled it out to a 1-1 draw, with the Gunners snatching a last-gasp equaliser in injury time. Coming off a solid win against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal looked to keep their momentum going, but City, fresh from a thumping of Manchester United, were no pushovers. The result might raise a few eyebrows given Arsenal's dominant possession, but it's a testament to City's resilience. Gabriel Martinelli's late heroics ensured Arsenal didn't drop points at home, keeping their unbeaten run intact at the Emirates.

Erling Haaland put City ahead early on, showing why he's one of the most feared strikers in the league. But Arsenal, despite their recent loss to Liverpool, showed grit and determination, especially in the second half. The draw means both teams have something to build on, with Arsenal maintaining their strong home form and City proving they can hold their own against top competition. It was a match that had everything – early goals, late drama, and a reminder that in the Premier League, anything can happen.

The stats tell a story of Arsenal's dominance, with a whopping 67% possession and 11 corners to City's single one. Yet, the final scoreline suggests City made the most of their limited opportunities. It's surprising to see such a disparity in possession and corners but still end up with a draw. Arsenal's high possession and corner count indicate they were on the front foot, but City's efficiency in front of goal and solid defending kept them in the game.

Both teams had an equal number of successful dribbles, showing their intent to play on the front foot. The yellow card count was low, with Arsenal picking up one and City two, indicating a relatively clean game. The injury time goal from Arsenal was the game-changer, highlighting their never-say-die attitude. Despite the stats favouring Arsenal, City's clinical approach ensured they left with a point.

Erling Haaland's early goal in the 9th minute set the tone for Manchester City, giving them a lead they held onto for most of the match. It was a classic Haaland finish, showing his knack for finding the net. City's defense held firm until the dying moments, but Arsenal's persistence paid off. The yellow card to Bernardo Silva in the 36th minute added a bit of spice to the game, but it was City's manager Pep Guardiola who also saw yellow in the 68th minute, showing the tension on the sidelines.

Arsenal's late surge was sparked by a flurry of substitutions, with Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka coming on at halftime. The game-changer was Gabriel Martinelli's introduction in the 80th minute, leading to his dramatic equaliser in the 90+3rd minute. It was a moment of pure class from Martinelli, who showed why he's a key player for Arsenal. The late substitutions and Martinelli's goal turned the tide, ensuring Arsenal salvaged a point from the match.

Arsenal lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with David Raya in goal and a solid backline of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, and Calafiori. The midfield trio of Merino, Zubimendi, and Rice provided stability and control, while Madueke, Gyökeres, and Trossard led the attack. The halftime substitutions of Eze and Saka injected fresh legs and creativity into the team, with Eze's impact being particularly notable.

The late introduction of Martinelli proved to be the game-changer, as he scored the crucial equaliser in injury time. His goal highlighted the importance of having quality options on the bench. Overall, Arsenal's lineup was strong, and their tactical adjustments in the second half paid dividends, ensuring they didn't leave the Emirates empty-handed.

Manchester City opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks and a backline of Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, and O'Reilly. Rodri anchored the midfield, with Foden, Silva, Reijnders, and Doku providing support and creativity. Up top, Erling Haaland was the focal point of the attack, and he didn't disappoint with his early goal.

The substitutions of Nunes, Aké, González, Stones, and Sávio in the second half aimed to maintain City's lead and control. However, despite their efforts, Arsenal's late surge caught them off guard. Haaland's performance was a standout, but the team as a whole showed resilience and tactical discipline, even if they couldn't hold onto the lead.

Erling Haaland is Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match, and it's no surprise given his impact on the game. Scoring the opening goal in the 9th minute, Haaland showed his clinical finishing and why he's one of the best in the business. Despite not registering any assists or key passes, his goal was enough to earn him this accolade, highlighting his importance to Manchester City's attack.

Recent Premier League Matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Manchester City (H)

• Win: 3-0 vs Nottingham Forest (H)

• Loss: 0-1 vs Liverpool (A)

• Win: 5-0 vs Leeds United (H)

Recent Premier League Matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Arsenal (A)

• Win: 3-0 vs Manchester United (H)

• Loss: 1-2 vs Brighton & Hove Albion (A)

• Loss: 0-2 vs Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Sitting comfortably in 4th place with 9 points, Arsenal will look to build on this result when they face Port Vale in league Cup action on September 24, 2025. The late equaliser against Manchester City will boost their confidence, and they'll aim to secure another win to keep climbing the table. With their strong home form and the ability to come from behind, Arsenal will approach the game with optimism and a focus on maintaining their momentum.

Manchester City, currently in 12th place with 6 points, will need to regroup quickly before their next match against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup on September 24, 2025. The draw against Arsenal showed their resilience, but they'll need to be more clinical in front of goal. City will look to use this result as a stepping stone to improve their performance and secure a much-needed win.

• Brentford Vs Man United

• Leeds United Vs Bournemouth

• Chelsea Vs Brighton

• Man City Vs Burnley

• Aston Villa Vs Fulham

• Crystal Palace Vs Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest Vs Sunderland

• Tottenham Vs Wolves

• Newcastle Vs Arsenal

• Everton Vs West Ham

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.