Shkodran Mustafi rescued a point as Arsenal twice came from behind to hold Manchester City 2-2 in a draw that leaves the Gunners well off the pace in the race for the Champions League places.
The German nodded in the returning Mesut Ozil’s second-half corner to earn a share of the spoils for under-fire boss Arsene Wenger after the Citizens had threatened to inflict a fifth defeat in six league outings on their hosts.
Manchester City’s German midfielder Leroy Sane celebrates after scoring against ArsenalAFP
Sergio Aguero’s 26th goal of the season just before half time had looked like moving City back up to third spot after Theo Walcott had cancelled out Leroy Sane‘s early opener.
But Mustafi’s header means Pep Guardiola‘s men remain fourth, seven points clear of Arsenal having played a game more.
The Citizens had hoped to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to nine points ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, but will have to be content with extending their unbeaten league run to eight matches and consolidating their place in the top four.
TALKING POINT
Arsenal face an uphill task to qualify for the Champions League. This was the game Wenger had been waiting for. The Frenchman needed a big win to reignite his team’s season and ease the pressure amidst growing fan unrest. Instead, his side had to fight to earn a point that will do little to impress his doubters. The Gunners are now seven points off the top four with just 10 matches to play. The draw will suit their other rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, leaving Arsenal facing the very real prospect of no Champions League football for the first time in over two decades.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) – Helped keep City’s vibrant attack at bay in the second half and handled the change of centre back partner well when Gabriel replaced Koscielny at the interval. Scored the all-important equaliser and was key to his side’s hard-fought point.
PLAYER RATINGS
ARSENAL: Ospina 7, Bellerin 6, Monreal 6, Koscielny 5, Mustafi 8, Xhaka 6, Coquelin 7, Ozil 6, Walcott 6, Sanchez 6, Welbeck 6. Subs: Gabriel 6, Giroud 6, Iwobi 5.
MAN CITY: Caballero 6, Clichy 6, Stones 6, Otamendi 6, Fernandinho 7, De Bruyne 7, Sane 7, Silva 7, Sterling 5, Navas 6, Aguero 6. Subs: Toure 6, Zabaleta n/a.
Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary
KEY MOMENTS
5′ – GOAL! ARSENAL 0-1 MAN CITY. De Bruyne fires a long ball through from his own half for Sane who easily holds off Bellerin, rounds Ospina and tucks home.
10′ – OFF THE POST! De Bruyne cracks the post from 20 yards. The rebound falls for Silva who cuts inside and fires in a low shot that Ospina beats away down to his left.
40′ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 MAN CITY. The hosts are level! Walcott prods home from close range after Mustafi had headed a half-cleared short corner back into the mix.
42′ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1-2 MAN CITY. What a response! De Bruyne sees a shot deflect off the post again. The visitors keep the pressure on and Silva tees up Aguero on the right of the area. The Argentine takes a touch and drills a low shot across Ospina into the far corner.
53′ – GOAL! ARSENAL 2-2 MAN CITY. Mustafi rises brilliantly to meet a left-wing corner and guide it into the far corner. All square!
58′ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Ospina flings himself to his right to keep out a 25-yard piledriver from Fernandinho.
Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas (L) vies with Arsenal’s French striker Olivier GiroudAFP
KEY STATS
Leroy Sane scored the quickest PL goal at the Emirates for a visiting team since Louis Saha for Spurs in Feb 2012.
There were just 131 seconds between Arsenal’s equaliser and Sergio Aguero’s goal for Man City.
Theo Walcott has scored five goals in his last five Premier league games against Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger has won just two of his 10 competitive meetings with Pep Guardiola (W2 D3 L5).
Aguero has scored six goals in his last five Premier League starts in London.
Mesut Ozil’s assist in this game was his 50th for Arsenal in all competitions
Arsenal have lost just one of 20 home PL encounters versus Man City (12 D7).
Arsenal have won the same number of points after 28 games this season as they did in 2015/16, with the same record (W15 D6 L7).
No Premier League team has scored more headed goals this season than Arsenal (level with WBA).
