Arsenal revive title hopes after holding City

Manager Manuel Pellegrini was content with Manchester City's 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Saturday, saying he expected the four title contenders to continue to drop points until the end of the season.

"It's been a good week for us, gaining four points against Manchester United and Arsenal, both away games," Chilean Pellegrini told reporters. "We had clear chances in the first half to win it and were a bit unlucky.

"Arsenal had a better second half but in the first half we had four clear chances and maybe we could have finished the game before halftime.

"The four teams will drop points between now and the end of the season. It's always very difficult at the end of the season because sides in danger of relegation will fight to the last," said Pellegrini.

City are third on 67 points but have played two games fewer than Chelsea. Fourth-placed Arsenal have 64 points.

Pellegrini's team dominated the opening period at the Emirates with David Silva, who scored an early goal, ruling the midfield and Arsenal rarely troubling the visitors' defence.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger pushed men forward in the second half and Mathieu Flamini's equaliser was just reward for a much improved performance by the home side.

The title challenge of Arsenal, thrashed 6-0 by Chelsea last week despite being top of the table for long stretches of the season, has deflated over the last eight days with the north London side gaining just two points from three games.

Wenger, while admitting the "nightmare" against Chelsea had affected his team early on against City, vowed Arsenal would "fight until the end".

"In the first half we were insecure in our own attitude because of our last two results but we controlled the second half. It was a game of quality between two good teams," said the Frenchman.

"What happened to Chelsea today could happen to anyone," Wenger added in reference to the Stamford Bridge side's 1-0 defeat at lowly Crystal Palace.

"It shows we absolutely have to fight until the end of the season because everybody can beat everybody. All of us have to be careful and all of us have to be consistent.

"Mathematically we are still in there but it's not in our hands. We have to look above us and behind us as well," said Wenger.

Arsenal, in the final Champions League spot, are seven points clear of Everton in fifth place but Roberto Martinez's team have played two fewer games.

Manchester City missed the chance to move to the top of the Premier League as Arsenal fought back to earn a deserved point at Emirates Stadium.

After Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, City knew victory at Arsenal would see them overhaul Jose Mourinho's side on goal difference and still have two games in hand.

They looked on course to achieve that when David Silva gave them an early lead, but Arsenal showed great resilience and commitment to claim a draw through Mathieu Flamini's 53rd-minute equaliser.

Neither side could fashion a second goal, leaving Liverpool as the big winners of a dramatic day. They will go top if they gain at least a point against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

City were unable to repeat the impressive performance that brought them a 3-0 win at Manchester United on Tuesday - but great credit should go to Arsene Wenger's side for the manner in which they overcame an early setback to keep their own top-four hopes on track and stay in touch with the leaders.

As they did at Old Trafford, City exerted their authority from the kick-off though this time they had to wait 18 minutes before they made their superiority count with a goal.

City were causing major problems down Arsenal's left flank, where Lukas Podolski was affording Kieran Gibbs little or no protection. The German was the culprit, conceding possession to Yaya Toure and when Edin Dzeko's shot hit the post, Silva was on hand to bundle home the loose ball.

Arsenal, who collapsed in such abject fashion in the 6-0 defeat at Chelsea, showed plenty of resolve this time although they were unable to test Joe Hart, with Olivier Giroud demonstrating a hint of desperation with a speculative effort from the halfway line.

City had not driven home their advantage and were punished eight minutes after half-time - seconds after they were inches away from doubling their lead.

Jesus Navas's cross was touched out by Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, only to rebound off Per Mertesacker and roll inches wide.

Arsenal capitalised on their reprieve and were level moments later when Flamini timed his arrival in the penalty box perfectly to sweep Podolski's delivery out of the reach of Hart.

Podolski then had an opportunity to turn the game on its head completely but his shot was blocked by Hart's legs when it seemed certain he would put the hosts ahead.

Both teams needed the win and it took some frantic Arsenal defending to block Dzeko and Toure when they found space in the area.

Mathieu Flamini fired in the second half as Arsenal battled back to ensure a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

Earlier, David Silva struck to put Man City in the lead.

FULL TIME

90": With just a few minutes left Arsenal created a chance but a kick from Cazorla from the left wing went a little too high.

86": Free kick for Man City after Villa is tackled from behind. Rosicky is the culprit but lucky to get away. Kick goes waste.

83": Substitution Dzeko is replaced by Negredo for City while Giroud is replaced by Sanogo

80": Final 10 minutes left and the situation's getting tense. Javi Garcia comes in for Samir Nasir and Alex Oxlade-Chamberian replaces Lukas Posolski

78": Man City are dominating at the moment. But have not been able to strike. Pressure on Arsenal.

74": Man City had a great opportunity. Yaya Toure takes control but can't fire. Nasri and Dzeko also get to shoot but none are successful.

72": Less than 20 minutes remain as Giroud does not make much of the free kick.

70": Corner for Man City. Nothing comes off it.

68": The game finely poised with a great effort can put either of the team into the lead.

64": Substitution: James Milner replaces Jesus Navas for Man City

62": Fernandinho gets the kick going close but it goes way above the crossbar for a corner.

60": Disappointment as Podlski almost scores before Hart deflects his efforts. He can't believe it. City breathe easy.

57": Huge cheers form the home fans. But Man City not letting things slip out of their hands.

55": Free kick taken by Navas on the right but it's easily deflected by the Arsenal defenders.

54": Corner for Arsenal but nothing much comes of it.

52": After misses at both end, Arsenal strikes to level it as Mathieu Flamini gets it all right to the botttom right corner of the box.

48": Giround manages to enter the danger zone before Kompany takes control of the ball. No harm for City.

46": Action begins as Arsenal will have to push hard to get the equaliser as early as possible.

FIRST HALF

49": Tomas Rosicky lets a great move break down by trying to dribble one too many players. Gets a yellow card for his tackle after losing the ball.

48": A pensive Theo Walcott watching from the stands. Arteta and Gibbs on the pitch try to get it going.

46": Cazorla sets up a wonderful move, but DeMichelis clears the cross that comes in.

35": Kompany and Toure both on yellow cards. How crucial will that be late in the game... if Arsenal can find a goal or two,

Gary Lineker ‏@GaryLineker Podolski tracking Zabaleta is laughable. Gibbs is being hung out to dry confronting him and Navas.

29": Arsenal give the ball away again in their third and Nasri fires a shot that is saved.

27": Arsenal pressing high up but can't find the final pass. Good reaction from the Gunners, but can they keep City out.

25": The goal has woken up Arsenal and they get on the attack now. Joe Hart has to be alert to smother a cross.

22": Come on you Gunners. Arsenal get the ball in the net, but Flamini is offside.

19": What will Arsenal's reaction be? Another goal glut or a great comeback?

GOAL!

Flamini gives the ball away, Silva starts the move, Dzeko hits the post, before Silva continues his run and finishes off.

BBC @BBCSport Mourinho: "We've lost our chance of finishing 1st. We depend too much on other results" https://bbc.in/1dYayo9  #cfc pic.twitter.com/DDLSxZqmwX

15": Arsenal begin to get into the game. The Emirates has been a fortress, but the Gunners have to believe.

12": Tomas Rosciky leaves his leg trailing to seek contact in Man City's box and the ref waves away the penalty appeal.

10": Kieran Gibbs being targetted by City. However, can Arsenal exploit the one chink in City's armour - Martin D.

Piers Morgan ‏@piersmorgan: City are cutting us to ribbons. Horrific to watch. #afc

6": Arsenal survive City onslaught, but City looking for that killer final pass. Arsenal's right hand side main focus of attack.

4": All attack from right, Zabalet, Nasri and then Jesus Navas, with Navas curling one past the far post. City have started where they left off against United.

2": City pressing early. Joe Hart has not conceded for 510 minutes.

michael owen ‏@themichaelowen: If Man City win today they will be hard to peg back. If they don't, it will be a dream day for Liverpool fans and the title race is on!!!

TEAM NEWS: City are unchanged from the side that won at Man Utd, while Arsenal bring in Podolski for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Manchester City will look to compound Arsene Wenger's woes when they visit the Emirates stadium this weekend, knowing a win would take them closer to the Premier League title and inflict a potentially fatal blow to Arsenal's chances.

However, Chelsea losing to Crystal Palace opens the door for Arsene Wenger again, though City will look to slam it shut.

Wenger's side have capitulated in recent weeks and a win for Manuel Pellegrini's team in London would almost certainly leave the battle for the Premier League crown as a three-way race between City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Arsenal, humiliated 6-0 at leaders Chelsea and held to a 2-2 home draw by Swansea City after conceding a last-minute equaliser on Tuesday, would have hoped for an easier match to revive their ailing title bid.

City lie third with 66 points, three behind Chelsea but with two games in hand, and they will look to build on their impressive 3-0 win at bitter local rivals Manchester United on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea travel to struggling Crystal Palace and second-placed Liverpool, only a point off the top on 68 points, host Tottenham Hotspur.

It is 10 years since Arsenal last won the league and they approach the match on Saturday looking not only to keep their slim title hopes alive but to cement a place in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League.

Fifth-placed Everton are breathing down their necks, six points adrift of Wenger's men but with a game in hand and a trip to bottom club Fulham on Sunday presents the chance to move a step closer to the top four.

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