‘I am shocked’ — Ex-Super Eagles captain laments Arsenal’s lacklustre draw against Man City

Former Super Eagles captain and Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed his surprise after Arsenal failed to claim all three points in their 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates.

Despite Gabriel Martinelli’s dramatic late equaliser, Oliseh felt Mikel Arteta’s men squandered a golden opportunity against a subdued City side.

Manchester City struck early in the ninth minute when Erling Haaland finished off a sharp counter led by Tijjani Reijnders.

From there, Pep Guardiola’s side settled into a defensive 5-4-1 formation, restricting Arsenal’s fluidity in attack.

The Gunners pressed but struggled to break through until stoppage time, when Eberechi Eze lofted a ball for Martinelli to lob Gianluigi Donnarumma and rescue a point.

For Oliseh, the late equaliser did little to mask Arsenal’s shortcomings. Taking to social media, he wrote: “I am shocked Arsenal did not beat Man. City today! This is, I believe, one of the weakest performances put up by Man. City.”

The former Super Eagles captain and coach insisted Arsenal should have punished their rivals and lamented the two points dropped.

Oliseh, however, highlighted the impact of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze after their second-half introductions.

Their presence gave Arsenal greater control and creativity, but the lack of finishing touch cost them. “Eze and Saka's introduction gave Arsenal a better grip of the game, if only Arsenal could better combine to strike at goal more. Sadly 2 points lost in my opinion, but then, it could have been worse!” he added.

The result leaves Arsenal with 10 points from five matches, three behind Liverpool, while Manchester City remain a further three adrift on seven points.