Arsenal late show denies Man City, Villa still winless
Gabriel Martinellis 93rd minute leveller rescued Arsenals Premier League title challenge from a costly loss against Manchester City, as Aston Villa stayed without a victory following a lacklustre 1-1 stalemate versus 10 man Sunderland.
The Gunners appeared set for their second loss in five league matches after Erling Haalands initial breakaway goal put City ahead.
Martinelli entered as a substitute to net his second goal within a week, securing a 1-1 result, though both teams slipped further behind table topping Liverpool.
Arsenal climbed to second place, trailing the frontrunners by five points, whereas City languish in ninth, eight points adrift.
"Really gutted we could not secure the win," commented Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. "We performed superior to our display last year against them (5-1 victory)."
Artetas squad had kept a clean sheet from open play across their opening five Premier League and Champions League outings this term, yet they were exposed after nine minutes by the electric prowess of perhaps the planets top forward.
Haaland initiated the sequence well inside his own territory with a pass to Tijjani Reijnders, then raced forward to collect the Dutch players return before calmly finishing past David Raya.
The Norwegian has now bagged 13 strikes for club and country across merely eight appearances this campaign.
Conversely, City are enjoying swift rewards from acquiring towering Italian shot stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Noni Maduekes fierce effort towards the near corner was thwarted by Donnarumma during Arsenals most promising chance in a subdued opening 45 minutes.
Mikel Arteta introduced the flair of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze right after the interval.
Eze challenged Donnarumma again, but the Gunners found it tough to penetrate Cities packed defensive setup, with Guardiola even withdrawing Haaland and Phil Foden post break to reinforce his rearguard.
That decision proved costly, however, as Martinelli raced clear onto Ezes lofted pass and chipped an exquisite effort over Donnarumma.
"Its not our preferred style, but against a stronger side, we drop back and hit on the break," explained Guardiola.
Villa lose 'identity'
Aston Villas ascent in recent seasons under Unai Emerys guidance has stalled completely, leaving them rooted in the relegation zone with only three points from five initial matches.
Emerys charges could scarcely have hoped for a kinder chance to claim their first success, following Sunderland full back Reinildo Mandavas dismissal on 33 minutes for lashing out at Matty Cash.
Villa had gone goalless in their prior four top flight fixtures, but they finally ended that run as Cash unleashed from distance, catching Sunderland custodian Robin Roefs off guard with the shots velocity and bend.
That advantage endured for only eight minutes, until Wilson Isidor capitalised on Granit Xhakas misplaced header to notch his third successive goal at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.
"We ought to have capitalised more readily (versus 10 players), yet we lacked our usual character and the principles we have developed over the past three seasons," reflected Emery.
Sunderland have begun their bid to avoid the typical fate of promoted teams tumbling back to the Championship in fine fashion.
The Black Cats occupy seventh position, having dropped points in just one of their first five contests.
Newcastle too are finding goals elusive sans the sold Alexander Isak.
Eddie Howes charges have shared the spoils in all three road trips this season at nil nil, and would have gladly accepted a draw at Bournemouth following their quick recovery from Thursdays 2-1 Champions League reverse to Barcelona.