Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice praised his teammate Gabriel Martinelli for the equaliser while adding that he believed they deserved a point from the game.
Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City was a closely contested match that showcased the team’s resilience and determination. Declan Rice, the Gunners’ midfielder, admitted that his side struggled to break down City’s defense but felt they deserved the point they earned.
The match began with City taking the lead through Erling Haaland’s clinical finish in the ninth minute. Arsenal responded well, keeping possession and pressing City’s defense, but they struggled to create clear chances. Despite their dominance, the Gunners were unable to find a way past City’s goalkeeper.
Gabriel Martinelli’s introduction from the bench proved to be a turning point in the match. The winger scored the equalizing goal late in the game. Rice praised Martinelli’s impact, highlighting his ability to deliver in big moments. “Since I’ve come to the club, even before I’ve come, he [Martinelli] has always delivered in big games,” Rice said.
Rice also admired Martinelli’s attitude, stressing his desire to make a difference when introduced from the bench. “A lot of players can talk if they get put on the bench, but every time he comes in, he shows his desire,” Rice said.
The draw leaves Arsenal in second place in the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Liverpool. Rice insisted that the performance showed progress, even if the breakthrough was difficult to find. “So even though we didn’t win, I thought we deserved it because we dominated today and played really, really well,” Rice said.
Rice acknowledged that City defended strongly, but he felt that Arsenal merited the point they earned. “We just couldn’t break them down. Fair play to them. But Martinelli, he’s come on and produced a moment of magic. So we’re happy with that,” Rice said.
The draw is a positive result for Arsenal, given the quality of the opposition. Rice believes that the team’s performance was a step in the right direction, and they’re looking to build on this result as the title race continues.
