EPL Match Review: Arsenal 2 - 2 Manchester City

Danny Welbeck of Arsenal reacts after a missed chance during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium

A very pleasant afternoon in London, gave a false impression of what was to come at the Emirates. A thoroughly entertaining fixture between the two heavyweights ended level as both teams go home sharing the spoils.

Arsenal named an expected side, but one name stuck out on the team sheet: the recently transferred Danny Welbeck playing as a lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Aaron Ramsey passed a late fitness test to be included in the side.

Frank Lampard came in for the jet lagged Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero played the role of the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation after the in-form Stefan Jovetic injured his hamstring.

Arsenal were dominant in the first 25 minutes, with Welbecks movement causing plenty of problems and Arsenals midfield pressing aggressively.

The first real chance of the match fell to Welbeck as a horrendous back pass from silva fell right into his path. Welbeck cutely chipped Hart, and as the Emirates prepared for a rip-roaring celebration, the post spoiled the party.

City were tackling aggressively with Milner and Fernandinho at the forefront of it. It was working well as Arsenal lost their rhythm and at 28 minutes, after committing many men forward, they scored on the break through the mercurial Sergio Aguero. Aguero worked hard in midfield to win the ball back and it kindly fell to Navas, who was in acres of space. Navas drove into space and released a low cross that found the onrushing Aguero. 1-0 to the citizens.

Citys confidence grew with the goal as on 32 minutes Silva had a great chance to double the lead after fantastic work by Zabaletta and Navas on the right wing.

As the half came to a close, it seemed like the same old story for arsenal, lovely build up, attractive one-twos, but trailing by a goal to nil.

Nasri came on for the struggling Lampard after the break, as city took control of the game.

Things didn’t seem to be going in the right direction for the gunners, as the full backs were continuously caught out of position and the shape of the team look disjointed.

But this is football, and much like City in the first half, Arsenal equalized in the 63rd minute against the run of play. Ramsey found Wilshere after a slick passing move, and after gliding past Clichy, deliciously chipped it over Joe Hart.

Dzeko came on for Aguero as the gunners grew in confidence creating decent chances.

The positivity turned into a goal. Alexis Sanchez, rewarded after an afternoon full of running, volleyed the ball past Hart on the 74th minute. The most dangerous gunner on the night; Sanchez thoroughly deserved the goal, and the shirtless celebration.

The night turned sour for the Gunners as Debuchy went down in obvious pain in the 81st minute as he was stretchered off, replaced by the exciting Callum Chambers.

It was a test of fitness and concentration there on after, and the gunners failed the test, leaving Martin Demichellis totally unmarked in the 83rd minute, to head in the equalizer for city.

Chances came thick and fast then as Welbeck fired just wide from outside the box in the 87th minute. A minute later Kolarov hammered a shot rattling the post at the other end. A delicious chipped ball from Silva saw the ball ricocheted off Koscielny to hit the post again in the 93rd minute.

A minute later Nasri looked like he had silenced the Emirates after pouncing on a loose ball in the box, but was ruled offside.

It ended 2-2 on the night but there was a lot to reflect upon.

Arsenal need to sort out their defensive problems, and quickly. City were able to find too much space too often in the middle of the park and on the flanks. Against a first 11 City they would have been lucky to concede just 2 goals.

Alexis Sanchez was brilliant throughout the night, constantly tracking back and providing an attacking outlet in the final third of the pitch as well. His pace and trickery are something to watch out for the rest of the premier league season. I feel he will be a standout performer for Arsenal if he continues playing like this.

Mesut Ozil may be on top of the world after winning the ultimate prize this summer, but he was definitely was not on top of his game this evening. Too often did he misplace passes and completely ignore his defensive duties. If he wants to start impacting the Emirates like he did at the Bernabeu, he needs to pick up his performances.

Fernandinho was another noteworthy performer in the city ranks as he continuously disrupted Arsenal’s passing game. He got stuck into tackles and ruffled up their passing masters, ensuring that they don’t get into their rhythm. He shielded the city back 4 like a true general, again proving why he is so valuable to this City team.

Pellegrini should also be commended as City more than coped without midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure. They didn’t look to dominate the ball but play on the counter, and they did that to very good effect.

All and all, a wonderful game to resume the Premier League.