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The points are shared at between Arsenal and Chelsea the Emirates Stadium, as both teams now head to Germany for crucial Champions League encounters.
Next up for both teams in the Premier League are tough assignments. Arsenal are due for a tricky away fixture at Aston Villa, while Manchester City are at home against Chelsea, who they notably lost twice against last season.
The match was a thriller, but it didn’t have to be. In the end, the better team lost two points through some absolutely awful defending, and thanks to Jack Wilkshere and Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal get something out of the game.
It’s a third straight Premier League draw for the Gunners.
Manchester City were not at their best, but they are nothing if not professionally obdurate.
Without Yaya Toure, they were magnificently lead in the midfield by Fernandinho.
After going down 2-1, Martin Demichelis found a free header past Szczesny.
FULLTIME:
Arsenal 2
Manchester City 2
The English Premier League resumes after the FIFA international break, with a heavyweight meeting, as Arsenal host champions Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in north London. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9.30pm AEST.
No club has endured more in creating the modern Manchester City than Arsenal.
Since the 2008 takeover of the Abu Dhabi Group, Manchester City have successfully lured five players that previously called Arsenal home.
The latest was right back Bacary Sagna, who left first team football at the Emirates to virtually become Pablo Zabaleta’s understudy in Manchester sky blue.
Alongside Sagna are former Gunners and fellow Frenchmen Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri, who return to the Emirates in a game where both teams will be desperate for a win following recent disappointments. Arsenal have endured two successive away draws at Everton and Leicester City, and now confront the champions having had their wings severely clipped.
Arsenal will likely be without Aaron Ramsay, who sustained an ankle problem playing for Wales earlier this week. The potential absence of Ramsay will arouse nervous jitters among Arsenal fans, who saw their title challenge last year collapse during the Welshman’s prolonged injury layoff.
The absence of Olivier Giroud has now been offset by the arrival of Danny Welbeck, fresh from his two-goal exploits for England during the week. Having left Manchester United following the Red Devils’ spending spree, Welbeck now has a golden opportunity to establish himself as first choice Gunners’ forward while Giroud is on the sidelines.
Supporting Welbeck are the deadly duo of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, who are as likely to breach an obdurate Manchester City defence as any. Playing at home, Arsene Wenger won’t hesitate to unleash Arsenal’s firepower against the slightly suspect champions.
After a bright start, Manchester City was brought undone at home by Stoke City via a superb Mame Biram Diouf strike. While City can reassure themselves that Stoke’s victory was through only one shot (albeit successful) at goal, the reality is that Arsenal possess a greater offensive threat, requiring a stern defensive effort.
Captain Vincent Kompany braved injury to play for Belgium during the international break and should be available, while Zabaleta is also likely to feature despite getting a knock during international duty. However, City’s best player in early part of the season, Stevan Jovetic, is doubtful after incurring a hamstring injury during his involvement with Montenegro.
In a game where both teams are expected to attack freely, it may come down to the team that shows greater defensive presence. Kompany and Martin Demichelis are likely to be retained as first choice centre defence, with Eliaquim Mangala to remain on the bench, while Manuel Pellegrini may opt to start the Brazilian pairing of Fernandinho and Fernando to nullify Arsenal’s threat.
However, as always, central to City’s hopes of gaining a precious away win will be the imposing Yaya Toure and the majestic David Silva.
Expect a thrilling contest between two teams unafraid to attack. Such was the case in these two teams’ last meeting during last month’s Community Shield, where Arsenal triumphed 3-0 over an understrength City.
Such charity is unlikely to reoccur, and Manchester City should be strong enough to earn a draw at the Emirates.
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