Good morning! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for today's huge Premier League clash between two expected title rivals as
Arsenal host
Manchester City at the Emirates. Both sides have suffered surprising slip-ups in the opening weeks of the campaign and will be hoping to return to winning ways and steal an early march in the title race this afternoon. Let's start with a look at the hosts...
The Gunners have made an unbeaten start to the new campaign, but they not necessarily be too happy with it. Two draws and a win has left them seventh in the embryonic league table with five points to their name, but they would have expected more than that when the fixture list was announced. As expected title contenders, they would have been fancied to get three points against both Crystal Palace and Leicester City, as well as something from the Everton game.
On the other hand, the way the matches have actually progressed, Arsenal could well have a much worse tally than five points. They needed a late winner to overcome Palace on the opening weekend, while they were 2-0 down going into the final 10 minutes against Everton before rescuing a draw thanks to Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud. They also had chances to win their match against Leicester but, on the balance of play at the King Power Stadium, a draw was probably a fair result.
So it has been a mixed start for
Arsene Wenger's side, and there is no doubt that they will need to improve if they are to fulfil their ambitions as title contenders. Everton was, of course, a big test for the Gunners, but this afternoon provides the biggest challenge to their title credentials so far. Defeat to City would make their start to the season look very bad indeed, but victory would have the opposite effect. There is still a long, long way to go, and Wenger will know that more than anybody, but an early-season victory over one of the big boys would give Arsenal the confidence that they can mount a serious challenge this season.
It is these sorts of matches that Arsenal really struggled in last season, posting the worst record in the mini-league between the top four. They won just one of the six matches against City, Liverpool and Chelsea, losing three and conceding a whopping 18 goals in the process - an average of three per game. It is worth noting, however, that none of those defeats came at the Emirates, where Arsenal were strong last season.
Indeed, they are unbeaten at home in the Premier League since the opening day of last season, when Aston Villa stunned
Arsene Wenger's side. It is 19 matches now since they tasted a league defeat in front of their own fans, with 14 victories and five draws in that time. In all competitions, only Bayern Munich have won here in the last 23 competitive matches.
Their unbeaten run home and away now stretches back 11 matches in all competitive competitions, and that extends to 12 if you include the Community Shield, where Arsenal thumped today's opponents 3-0 at the start of the current campaign. They are without a defeat in all six of their outings this season, and their last loss was way back at the start of April, when Everton swept them aside at Goodison Park.
As mentioned earlier, Arsenal did not fare well in matches against their fellow top four dwellers last season, and they won't welcome the stat that they conceded five or more goals in three Premier League games last season - all of which were 12.45pm kickoffs against other members of the top four. City were responsible for one of those, hammering the Gunners 6-3 at the Etihad.
The visitors would certainly welcome a repeat of that scoreline today, but they will need to pick themselves up after an early setback that suggested a hint of complacency creeping into the champions. Not even the most optimistic of Stoke fans will have predicted a win for their side at the Etihad before the international break, but Diouf superb solo effort gave them exactly that as City dropped an early three points in the defence of their crown.
The result was even more surprising as it came off the back of a very good start to the season for
Manuel Pellegrini's side. They may not have hit full flow in terms of performances, but they looked ominous in two-goal victories over both Newcastle United and title rivals Liverpool. To have beaten the Reds 3-1 and then lost to Stoke in their very next game will worry Pellegrini, as it undoes all of the hard work from the week before, so he will be looking for a response from his side this afternoon.
The defeat to Stoke ended a seven-match winning streak in the Premier League stretching back to last season's late run that saw them clinch the title ahead of Liverpool. Their unbeaten streak stood at eight matches before the defeat, which was also just the second time City have failed to score in front of their own fans in their last 71 outings at the Etihad.
City's free-scoring nature went a long way towards carrying them to the title last season as they netted 102 times - one more than second-placed Liverpool. However, there may be a slight concern for Pellegrini on that front this season as they have already failed to score twice in the current campaign - in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal and the 1-0 loss to Stoke. The Chilean boss let Alvaro Negredo leave on loan this summer, leaving him short of options up front, particularly if the injury-prone
Sergio Aguero spends another spell on the sidelines.
It was City's away form towards the start of last season that saw them having to play catch-up in the Premier League at times, with shock defeats at the hands of Aston Villa, Cardiff and Sunderland before Christmas. However, they soon found their stride on the road, and only Liverpool and Arsenal had a better away record in the end. City amassed 34 points on their travels - just one fewer than the Reds and the Gunners.
However, their record away to Arsenal is poor. They have won just one of their last 29 league visits to the Gunners, a run that includes eight matches at the Emirates and 17 in the Premier League era. That victory was fairly recent, coming in January of last year, but it is still a poor record for a top team. They haven't, however, lost consecutive Premier League games since October 2010 - although one of those matches was also against Arsenal.
Home and away, it is a slightly different story for City. They have lost just two of their last nine meetings with Arsenal, winning four and drawing three - including the corresponding fixture here last season. Pellegrini will know that he needs his side to be at their best, however, so he can't afford to look ahead to a very tough week ahead, with Bayern Munich and then Chelsea next up for his side.
TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in from both sides, and the headline news is that
Danny Welbeck has been handed his debut for the Gunners following his deadline-day move. He is joined by
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in attack, while Ramsey has shaken off a knock and is also named in the starting lineup. City, meanwhile, name Aguero up front alone, while Frank Lampard makes his debut for the club in midfield alongside Fernandinho. Full team news coming up for both sides...
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Wilshere; Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil; Welbeck
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski
MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Lampard; Navas, Silva, Milner; Aguero
MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Kolarov, Sagna, Mangala, Nasri, Sinclair, Dzeko
So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, starting with Arsenal, the main focus will be around Welbeck this afternoon after he was brought in on deadline day to appease the striking situation at Arsenal, with Giroud sidelined for the rest of the year. The new signing scored twice for England against Switzerland in midweek and will have a point to prove after being ruled not prolific enough by former Man United boss Louis van Gaal. In fact, Welbeck has a better goals per minute ratio than Giroud since the start of last season, and many have tipped him to thrive in a central role with plenty of service. He will become just the third player to play for both Arsenal and United in the Premier League this afternoon, following in the footsteps of Mikael Silvestre and Robin van Persie.
Behind Welbeck is a deadly trio of Ozil, Sanchez and Ramsey, all of whom can be match-winners on their day. Ozil is yet to rediscover his best form since his move to Arsenal last summer, but he certainly has the quality of open the defence up, while Sanchez has starting to find some goalscoring form after a relatively slow start to his career in England. Ramsey, meanwhile, is arguably his side's most important player at the moment, and Wenger will be delighted that he has managed to shake off an injury suffered on international duty to feature today.
There is no Arteta in midfield this afternoon, with the club captain left on the bench having suffered from an ankle problem recently. Wilshere, who featured in an unfamiliar holding role for England in midweek, partners Flamini in the centre of the park, and that duo will be key to stopping City's midfield from supplying Aguero this afternoon.
It is a familiar-looking backline, with Debuchy having settled into life at the Emirates quickly, replacing Sagna, who sits on the City bench today. Mertesacker and Koscielny are seasoned partners in the centre of defence by now, with the latter having overcome the knock to the head he received in the draw against Leicester just before the international break. Gibbs, meanwhile, is only fit enough for the bench, which means Monreal comes into the side at left-back.
Sergio Aguero is the man charged with breaking down that defence, and he will be the lone target man this afternoon. Dzeko has been left on the bench, while Jovetic is injured and Negredo is out on loan. Aguero is more than capable of causing problems, though, and even with his injury problems he has the best goals per minute ratio of any player in Premier League history with 50 or more goals. He has also netted eight times in his last 10 league away games, so he will be a player that Arsenal will keep a very close eye on this afternoon.
The Argentine may be the lone striker, but he is unlikely to be isolated today, with Navas, Silva and Milner all providing support. The latter will offer extra defensive solidity when Arsenal have the ball, which is very important in these big games, but he can also break quickly and City will be a threat on the counter-attack. There is no place for Yaya Toure due to injury, which is a big blow for the visitors, but it does allow Lampard to make his debut. He is partnered in defence by Fernandinho, who replaces the injured Fernando.
The defence is very much settled for City, although there may be a bit of pressure on Hart going into this match. The keeper played well for England during the international break, but there is no getting away from the fact that he should have saved Diouf's effort against Stoke. He was dropped after a few high-profile errors last season and, with Cabellero waiting in the wings, he can't afford too many more. New signing Mangala, meanwhile, is on the bench should Kompany or Demichelis have to be replaced.
PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Emirates, which means that it is time for a prediction! Arsenal really struggled in these matches last season, but at home they were far better than they were away. City will need a response from the Stoke defeat, and they generally tend to perform in the big games, but with Arsenal having home advantage, it won't be easy for the visitors. Add into it their injury problems and they may be happy to come away with a draw. I'll go for 2-2.
A draw was the result the last time these two teams met here, with Flamini and Silva both getting on the scoresheet as the match ended 1-1. There has been a huge range of results between these two over the last year, with City winning 6-3 at the Etihad last season and Arsenal winning 3-0 at Wembley in the Community Shield. City won't look too far into that latter result, however, as they simply didn't look interested in that game.
Arsenal won 18 of their first 22 Premier League games against City, but since then have won just three of their last 12. They have won 52 of their 86 home league games against the Citizens overall, and in all matches home and away have averaged 1.63 goals to City's 1.17.
City have already overcome one big test this season by beating Liverpool 3-1, but this is Arsenal first major challenge against a side expected to be in with a chance of winning the title. We will learn a lot about both teams this afternoon, with the Gunners looking to prove they can mix it with the big boys, and City looking to bounce back from that damaging defeat to Stoke.
Welbeck is the headline act on show tonight as the Manchester boy takes on the city rivals of his former club. Here is what Arsenal legend Paul Merson has had to say on the England international:
"He ticks a lot of boxes for Arsenal. He will go beyond and is not worried about coming short like everyone else. People like Ozil, Ramsey and Cazorla will be licking their lips," he told Sky Sports News.
"If you're a midfielder, you're only as good as the centre-forward and vice-versa. You could be the best centre-forward in the world, but if you do not get the service, you won't score a goal."
KICKOFF: Arsenal get us underway in front of their own fans as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season against the champions.
Good early spell of possession for City as they knock the ball about amongst themselves to get a foothold in the match in the opening exchanges. They are pressing Arsenal quite high up the field as well.
Early moment of controversy as Arsenal win the ball back in midfield and immediately burst forward. Wilshere is at the heart of the move as the hosts approach the edge of the City area, but Mark Clattenburg is having none of his claims for a free kick. Good decision from the referee, who would have been within his rights to book the England man there.
SHOT! Arsenal come forward again and Ramsey finds a bit of space outside the box before hammering a long-range effort off target. That was a bit of a waste from the Welshman, but it was worth a go.
SAVE! Arsenal are beginning to look dangerous here. Ozil is the latest to have a go from range, firing a low effort towards the bottom corner that Hart needs to save. He did well to hold on to the bouncing ball as well, with Ozil lurking around for any scraps.
Hart is called upon again to make an important interception, getting a hand to a dangerous cross into his box. This has been a very bright start to the match from the Gunners, who are well on top at the moment.
Superb play from Aguero as he weaves his way into the Arsenal box, but he is forced too far wide and can't turn the ball back into a dangerous area as Szczesny collects his low cross.
OFF THE POST! Oh my word, Welbeck is inches away from making a perfect start to his Arsenal career! Silva gifts the ball straight to the debutant, who races through on goal with only Hart to beat. He tries an impudent chip over the keeper and looks to have got it spot on, but it comes back off the post with Welbeck already beginning to celebrate!
This match has started at a really good pace, and it is Arsenal who will be happiest with the opening quarter of an hour or so. They are on top in the midfield area at the moment, and that is resulting in the Gunners controlling the match and creating the better openings.
SAVE! Arsenal are just all over City at the moment. They flood forward again, taking a quick free kick and knocking the ball about nicely inside the City half. Welbeck knocks it back to Ramsey, whose drilled shot is straight at Hart, who holds on.
City come forward themselves as Fernandinho picks the ball up in space around 30 yards from goal. He shapes to shoot from range but instead tries to disguise to clever pass in to Zabaleta, only to put too much on it. Good idea, but the application was narrowly off.
Welbeck has made a good start to life at Arsenal, it must be said. He has been bright so far, contributing a few nice touches here and there to help with the ebb and flow of his side's movement. It could have been even better had his finish been just an inch or two to the right rather than hitting the post, though.
Hart has looked very assured so far this afternoon. He made a mistake against Stoke last time out for City, but his handling has been exemplary so far and he has made a few vital stops already.
YELLOW CARD! Frank Lampard becomes the first man in the book on his City debut, and he can have no complaints. He slid in and brought down Wilshere from behind, and it is not his first offence either.
YELLOW CARD! Zabaleta quickly follows his City teammate into the book for a foul on Sanchez. Clattenburg let play continue before pulling it back to caution for the Argentine.
City have stemmed the tide a little in the last few minutes, preventing Arsenal from gaining the sort of momentum they had earlier on. The hosts are still on top, however, and the supporters are enjoying what they're seeing so far. It has been an entertaining encounter, but still we remain goalless.
CLOSE! Nice football from City as Milner knocks the ball to Aguero, who returns the favour to find the midfielder on the move. Milner hits a first-time effort from 25 yards, and his shot whistles a yard or so over the bar. Szczesny probably had it covered, but it wasn't too far away from the England international.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Man City (Sergio Aguero)
First blood to Manchester City! They hit Arsenal on the break, and it is the pace of Navas that plays a huge part. He keeps the ball in play down the right following a challenge by Flamini on Aguero, before advancing towards the edge of the area. He delays his pass until Aguero is racing into the box and then threads a perfectly-weighted pass to the Argentine, who sweeps it home.
What a huge blow that is for Arsenal. They have been on top for the opening half an hour of this game but have not been able to make the most of it, and now they find themselves behind. The atmosphere took a turn for the worse as soon as that goal went in, and the Arsenal fans don't seem too encouraged right now.
CHANCE! Huge chance for City to double their lead! Aguero does really well to keep the ball in play in the corner, knocking a pass back to Navas, who in turn threads a fine ball through for Zabaleta. The right-back cuts it back for Silva, who takes a touch to beat one man but is then thwarted by a good save from Szczesny. That should have been 2-0!
City are playing with so much more confidence now after that opening goal. They were under heavy pressure for a lot of the opening 30 minutes, but now they are suddenly playing some really nice football and looking more threatening in the final third.
Arsenal are now strangers to nice football themselves, and Wilshere almost flicks a lovely pass into the box for Sanchez. However, it is just too hard for the Chilean and goes out for a goal kick. Another trip into the final third provides nothing for the hosts.
SHOT! Arsenal win a free kick in a very good position as Navas brings Sanchez down with a trip from behind. It is Sanchez who takes on the responsibilities, but he curls a disappointing effort well over from almost 30 yards.
Arsenal have had quite a few shots from range today, which is not something we are really used to seeing from Arsene Wenger's side. The latest comes from Ozil, but he drags a low strike well wide of the target.
There have been quite a few niggly tackles in this match, most of which have come from Man City. Wilshere in particular looks to be getting a little wound up, which could be something to keep an eye on here.
SHOT! As a result of another one of those challenges, Arsenal have a free kick in a good crossing position. The initial delivery is disappointing, but it is only cleared as far as Ozil, who hammers a ferocious effort over the bar from just outside the box.
Silva is beginning to have more of a say on this match, which is a big reason behind City's increasing control of the game. The goal has really changed things, with Arsenal struggling to recapture the rhythm they had before it and City growing in confidence.
Milner trips Debuchy with a robust challenge on the Arsenal right, but he is spared a yellow card by Clattenburg. You get the feeling that that is his last chance, however.
There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
Mark Clattenburg brings an end to the first half, and it is City who go into the break with a narrow lead after an entertaining opening 45 minutes. Arsenal began the match really well and had their chances to be leading at the halfway stage, but City were more clinical than their hosts and got the opener against the run of play.
It was Sergio Aguero who got the goal, sliding the ball home after being found by an inch-perfect low cross from Jesus Navas. Aguero had a big say in the build-up as well, beating Flamini to the ball to knock it out to the right, where Navas used his pace to keep it in play. It was a well-worked goal, but Arsenal could have felt justifiably aggrieved at having fallen behind despite being on top for the opening half an hour.
The Gunners should have been ahead in the 12th minute as Silva gifted Welbeck a glorious chance on the striker's Arsenal debut. The England man raced through on goal and chipped the ball over Hart, only to see it come back off the post. It was a confident finish from Welbeck, who clearly thought he had marked his debut with the goal, but it was just an inch or so off.
That was the highlight of a very bright opening 30 minutes for the hosts as they put the champions under heavy and sustained pressure. Hart was forced into saves from Ozil and Ramsey but, aside from Welbeck's chance, Arsenal have largely been limited to shots from outside the area. They have certainly not made the most of all of their possession and time in the final third.
The goal completely changed the course of the match, with City growing into the game having taken the lead. They were in control in the final 15 minutes or so, with Silva beginning to dictate things in the middle of the park. The Spaniard should have made it 2-0 shortly after the opening goal when he found himself at the end of a slick move from the visitors, but Szczesny made an important stop.
Most of Arsenal's early joy came as a result of their dominance of the midfield area, with Lampard and Fernandinho struggling to deal with the likes of Sanchez, Ramsey and Ozil. That is an area they will need to restore control over if they are to get back into this match and avoid their first defeat of the season.
KICKOFF: We're back underway for the second half at the Emirates as Man City kick us off. They will be looking to pick up where they left off in that first half, while Arsenal will be looking to begin this half like they did the last.
MAN CITY SUB: There was a change for City at the break, with debutant Lampard making way for former Arsenal player Samir Nasri.
CHANCE! Beautiful football from Arsenal on the edge of the box as they produce some short and concise passes to cut City open. Sanchez is slipped in down the right channel, but Zabaleta is there to block his low cross towards Welbeck. Vital interception.
YELLOW CARD! Another card for City as Fernandinho goes into the book for a foul on Wilshere. He has made a number of those challenges already today, so can have no complaints at becoming the third player in the book.
Good spell of possession at the start of this second half from City, taking the momentum out of what was another good start to the half from Arsenal. Clever play from the visitors as they look to exert their authority on the match.
Fernandinho is really having an impact in the middle of the park now. He breaks up a dangerous Arsenal counter here, sparing the blushes of Milner, who had lost the ball. The Brazilian is getting through so much work and, while he has been guilty of a few fouls, he is doing an important job for his side.
SHOT! City come forward and Aguero picks up the ball just outside the box. He is allowed a little room on his left foot and uses it to fire a powerful effort towards goal, but it is always going high and wide.
City are doing a good job of just slowing this match down and killing the atmosphere at the moment. That is what they need to do right now as Arsenal are looking to play at pace whenever they get the ball.
YELLOW CARD! Arsenal first booking of the afternoon is shown to Flamini, who pulled Silva back in midfield.
CHANCE! Really good opening for City to double their advantage as Clichy bursts into the box to latch on to a lofted through-ball. He gets to it before Szczesny, lifting his effort over the keeper but wide of the post.
Frustration is starting to grow for the home side inside the Emirates. Man City are making this a scrappy affair with a number of robust challenges in midfield, breaking the game up and preventing Arsenal from getting into their flow. The visitors are playing this game at their own pace right now.
YELLOW CARD! Another yellow for the hosts as Monreal goes into the book for a challenge from behind on Navas. Not too much in it, but you can see why the card was produced.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Man City (Jack Wilshere)
A scrappy little period ends with a moment of class from Wilshere, who restores parity for the hosts in style. Arsenal broke forward having won the ball back in midfield, with Ramsey slipping a pass to Wilshere down the right side of the box. The England man shows good footwork to get past his marker before clipping a composed finish over Hart from a tight angle.
YELLOW CARD! Aguero was shown a yellow card in the aftermath of that goal having protested too much for a foul in the build-up.
SHOT! Arsenal pour forward again as they continue to build momentum. Debuchy finds himself in an advanced position down the right, receiving the ball inside the box before slicing an effort wide of the near post.
MAN CITY SUB: The visitors make a change as goalscorer Aguero goes off to be replaced by Edin Dzeko. Aguero is moving slowly as he comes off the field, but it appears to be more through disappointment at coming off than an injury.
Just as the City goal did in the first half, that Arsenal goal has changed this game here. The visitors were looking fairly comfortable and in control before Wilshere's strike, but now it is the hosts who look more dangerous and they will be confident of going on to win this one now.
SAVE! Nasri would certainly be the most unpopular goalscorer today, but he has a chance to go for goal here as he is given space from 25 yards out. He doesn't catch his shot right, however, and it is easy for Szczesny to collect.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Man City (Alexis Sanchez)
Arsenal have done it! The hosts come from behind to lead, and it is a magnificent finish from Sanchez! Ramsey's initial cross is cleared to the edge of the box, and Wilshere loops a header back in towards Sanchez. The summer signing watches the ball onto his foot before controlling a sensational volley past Hart and into the top corner. Superb strike, and the Emirates has erupted!
YELLOW CARD! Sanchez was booked in the aftermath of that goal for taking his shirt off in celebration, but who can blame him? It was a sensational strike that could have given his side all three points against the champions.
CHANCE! Wilshere is having a real impact on this game now. He clips a fine pass over the top for Ramsey, who just mis-times his shot and can't turn it goalwards.
MAN CITY SUB: The third and final change for the visitors as Fernandinho makes way to be replaced by Aleksandar Kolarov.
This is a really worrying sign for Arsenal. Debuchy goes down with no-one near him, and he looks to be in a lot of pain indeed. The oxygen mask is out, and this one could be a serious blow for the Gunners.
ARSENAL SUB: Debuchy is stretchered off to be replaced by Calum Chambers. That is a huge blow for Arsenal, who are already light in defence this season. It looks like he may be out for a while.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Man City (Martin Demichelis)
City have the equaliser! It is terrible marking from Arsenal as Demichelis is left unmarked inside the area to loop a header into the far corner. Szczesny got a hand to it in his attempts to keep it out, and that may well have taken it away from the man on the line.
What a final five minutes we are in store for now. Both teams will be looking to push on and win this one, and both are dangerous on the break. The momentum is with City, but Arsenal will be spurred on by the home crowd.
SHOT! Arsenal fans will not be happy to see Welbeck struggling with an apparent injury, but he gets back on his feet and is immediately involved as he curls a decent effort narrowly off target.
ARSENAL SUB: Welbeck does not last the full distance on his debut as he makes way to be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the closing stages.
OFF THE POST! City almost grab a winner late on as Kolarov comes from nowhere to reach the ball first before firing a shot towards the near post from a tight angle. His powerful effort comes off the outside of the post, and it looked like Szczesny had it covered, but that is certainly a warning shot for the Gunners.
There would be no fewer than SIX minutes added time at the end of this match. Still plenty of time for late drama!
OFF THE POST! Oh my word, almost a bizarre winner for City as Dzeko challenges Koscielny to reach a ball inside the box. It looks like the Arsenal defender got the last touch as the ball squirms over the head of Szczesny before hitting the post and landing back in the keeper's arms.
CHANCE! Huge chance for City to win this one! The ball is slipped through to Dzeko, who looks to slide his effort into the bottom corner from close range, However, Szczesny produces a stunning stop to deny the striker. He parries it into the path of Nasri, who puts it into the back of the net from an offside position, so it won't count. Massive chance for the visitors.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City
The referee brings an end to a thoroughly entertaining clash at the Emirates as Arsenal and Man City share the spoils in North London. Both teams will have felt that they could have claimed all three points this afternoon, but it was a really good contest between two teams playing exciting football.
City took the lead in the first half courtesy of a Sergio Aguero strike against the run of play, but Arsenal produced a second-half comeback to take the lead through goals from
Jack Wilshere and a stunner from Alexis Sanchez. However, a late equaliser from Demichelis ensured that City came away with a point, leaving them winless in two and Arsenal without a victory since the opening day but still unbeaten in the league.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for what was an absorbing match between Arsenal and Manchester City. Both teams go away with a point following a 2-2 draw, adding an early twist to the Premier League title race. I will leave you with our
match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!