ARSENAL fans are only just realising they won their crunch league game against Manchester City thanks to Mikel Arteta’s genius tactical tweak.
The Gunners recorded their first win over City since 2015 after a late deflected howitzer from Gabriel Martinelli.
ReutersArsenal have Mikel Arteta’s tactical tweak to thank for their win over Man City[/caption]
ReutersSub Gabriel Martinelli scored after being set up by other Arsenal replacements[/caption]
The Brazilian’s strike sent the Etihad into raptures, with Arsenal now joint-top of the table with Spurs and two points clear of defending champs City.
However, the north Londoners have boss Arteta to thank for their epic win.
That’s because all four of his Arsenal substitutes were involved in the winning goal.
The Spaniard made his first change at half-time when Martinelli replaced Leandro Trossard on the wing.
Kai Havertz, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu soon followed onto the field as well.
And the move for Martinelli’s winner started when Partey won the ball in midfield.
He lobbed the ball forward to Tomiyasu, who then headed it down to Havertz.
The German forward held the ball up before laying off a delicate pass to Martinelli.
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ReutersTakehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey all played a role in Arsenal’s winner[/caption]
And the Brazilian wasted no time in wrapping his foot around the shot, with the ball deflecting off Nathan Ake and past Ederson into City’s net.
Arsenal fans were full of praise for Arteta’s changes on social media.
One said: “You cannot match his energy. What a difference maker Martinelli is.”
Another declared: “Partey to Tomiyasu to Havertz to Martinelli then goal.”
One noted: “Interesting thing about this was all the subs were involved.”
Another added: “It’s wild how the game changed with Havertz and Tomiyasu in the box, we added height and City suddenly looked vulnerable.”
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