City denied victory by late Gunners equaliser

City were denied what would have been a superb win at Arsenal by an equaliser three minutes into added time.

The Blues had led for a total of 84 minutes after taking a ninth-minute Erling Haaland goal, but the home side levelled in time added on to snatch a point at the Emirates.

It was harsh on a City team who had defended so well for so long, but a point away to Arsenal is a more than decent result for any team given the North London side's title credentials.

The game in 250 words

City got off to a fantastic start at the Emirates.

After a bright opening, the Blues took the lead after just nine minutes with a counter-attacking goal that will have delighted Pep Guardiola.

Haaland won possession inside his own half before playing it to Tijjani Reijnders who then drove forward towards the Arsenal box before playing it the charging Haaland who took one touch before slipping a low shot past David Raya.

It was superb from the Norwegian who has been in blistering form so far this campaign.

The rest of an often niggly, scrappy first-half was largely Arsenal probing, winning corners and attempting to force an equaliser from the five corners they won.

The impressive Khusanov made way at the break for Nunes after presumably picking up an injury.

The Gunners brought on the twin threat of Eze and Saka as well as the Blues prepared for what was likely to be a long second-half.

It was superb from the Norwegian who has been in blistering form so far this campaign.

The rest of an often niggly, scrappy first-half was largely Arsenal probing, winning corners and attempting to force an equaliser from the five corners they won.

The impressive Khusanov made way at the break for Nunes after presumably picking up an injury.

The Gunners brought on the twin threat of Eze and Saka as well as the Blues prepared for what was likely to be a long second-half.

It was backs-to the wall stuff as City absorbed wave after wave of attacks from he home side, with the Blues’ defence wonderfully marshalled by Donnarumma, Dias, Gvardiol and O’Reilly.

There had been tireless performances all over the pitch in what had been a resolute and stoic display by the Blues and as the clock ticked into added time, a ball over the top by Eze saw Martinelli race clear and lob Donnarumma to make it 1-1.

It was a momentary lapse of concentration in an otherwise exemplary defensive display and enough to earn Arteta's men a point.

A different City show defensive nous

It was almost the perfect defensive masterplan - but City saw victory snatched away in added time.

Rarely have we seen a Pep Guardiola side defend a lead with such numbers in defence, happy to counter-attack and let Arsenal have the ball.

As this City team evolves, it seems we are seeing new strings to our bow.

Winning matches - or collecting valuable points on the road by defending resolutely - is showing a new, steely element to a team we all know can play beautiful football.

Bernardo leads from the front

No one has ever doubted Bernardo's work ethic, but the captain's armband seems to have given the Portuguese even more energy and determination.

He popped up everywhere on the pitch against the Gunners and while he may be physically lighter than many of the players he was up against, he gave every ounce he had and didn't shirk a single challenge.

In other words, a captain's performance from start to finish.

STAR MAN: Doku

Yet again the Belgian showed he has the heart of a lion.

Fearless in possession, he worked hard tracking back and his trickery was a constant thorn in the Gunners' side.

Total effort and total endeavour, he almost snatched a late second, but a tremendous effort from our talented winger.

Teams

ARSENAL: Raya, Timber (Martinelli 80), Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi (Mosquera 90+8), Rice, Merino (Eze 46), Madueke (Saka 46), Trossard, (Nwaneri 84) Gyökeres

Subs: Kepa,, White, Norgaard,, Lewis-Skelly

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, (Nunes 46) Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly (Stones 87), Rodrigo , Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden (Ake 68), Doku (Savinho 87)  Haaland (Nico 76)

Subs: Trafford, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis

Attendance: TBC

Pep’s reaction

"We played tough games this week - Manchester United and in the Champions League - and today we played against a powerful team.

"Hats off to our team for the resilience. It's so difficult when you're not effective with high pressing, it's always tough in the build-up.

"We made some transitions. I think the result is fair. In general Arsenal were better.

"Since the transfer window finished the togetherness has been top. It was so demanding today, and Arsenal have everything - we defended the corners so well. We'll take the point; we have to improve but it is what it is.

"We were incredibly tired. The game against Napoli was so emotional and after that recovery day we have four or five hours to travel to London. Arsenal fought in the last two Premier League title races and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League so it's so difficult.

"We had a lot of fatigue with many players. We also have a lot of injuries."

REIJNDERS reaction

"Unfortunately, we conceded a late equaliser - it was a tough game. We had some possibilities to lead 2-0 but conceding late makes us unhappy.

"If you are 1-0 up you want the three points but everyone knows playing here at Arsenal it's difficult. We have to keep working."

"[On the assist], first I was looking for Doku but he would need to beat a player and Erling was free."

What it means…

City move up to the top half of the table into ninth place with a hard-earned point at the Emirates and remain just three points behind the Gunners and eight behind leaders Liverpool.

What’s next?

The Blues are in Carabao Cup third round action in midweek with a trip to face League One side Huddersfield Town at the Accu Stadium.

The game kicks off at 19:45 (UK).

Then we host Scott Parker's Burnley in the Premier League.

The match at the Etihad kicks off at 15:00 (UK) on September 27.