Manchester City drew 2-2 with likely title rivals
Arsenal in a pulsating encounter at Emirates
Stadium.
City had taken a first-half lead through Sergio
Aguero, only for Arsenal to respond with fine goals
from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez before
veteran defender Demichelis earned the Premier
League champions a point.
Danny Welbeck was presented with an early chance
to vindicate his selection as Arsenal's main striker
when he seized on David Silva's poor pass, but the
deadline day signing's dink over Joe Hart came back
off the post.
Arsenal were in the ascendancy in the first half, but
were rocked on their heels on 28 minutes when City
broke with pace and Jesus Navas' excellent low ball
into the box was cleverly finished by Aguero.
The home side levelled on 63 minutes when Aaron
Ramsey played in Wilshere, who skipped past
former team-mate Gael Clichy before lifting a
delightful shot over Joe Hart into the net.
Wilshere turned provider for Arsenal to take the
lead on 74 minutes when he headed the ball back
into the box after City could only partially clear and
Alexis steered a firm volley beyond Hart.
England midfielder Wilshere appeared fortunate not
to concede a penalty for handball and, after Mathieu
Debuchy was stretchered off, City struck back with
seven minutes to go.
Substitute Aleksandar Kolarov curled out a corner
and Demichelis rose unmarked to head beyond
Wojciech Szczesny, who appeared to touch the ball
away from the covering Mathieu Flamini.
Welbeck whipped an effort narrowly wide in his last
act before being substituted due to injury, Kolarov
thundered a shot against the post, Laurent
Koscielny's clearance hit Edin Dzeko before
bouncing back off the upright and former Arsenal
midfielder Samir Nasri saw a goal disallowed for
offside as six minutes of added time failed to yield a
winner.
Frank Lampard made his City debut after Yaya
Toure played for the Ivory Coast in midweek but he
lasted only until half-time, with a foul on Ramsey
that earned a yellow card his headline moment.
Ramsey started in Arsenal's midfield after
recovering from an ankle injury, but all eyes were
on Welbeck's first appearance for the Gunners.
His first touch was greeted with a roar of approval
from home fans and expectation continued to grip
Emirates Stadium as Alexis tested Hart from long
range.
Somehow Aguero threaded a path between three
defenders, but the angle was too tight to produce a
meaningful shot and Arsenal immediately renewed
their offensive.
Welbeck failed to connect with Mesut Ozil's delicate
pass and moments later the England forward had a
glorious chance to put Arsenal ahead after
intercepting Silva's ill-judged back pass. Only Hart
stood between Welbeck and a debut goal but his
attempted chip drifted on to the left post.
Arsenal had bristled with intent in a superb start,
but City's ability to threaten on the counter was
highlighted when Navas broke clear and forced a
key clearance from Per Mertesacker.
Moments after Alexis had almost ghosted through
City's defence, the champions struck a clinical
opening goal after a 50-50 clearance in midfield
looped over to an unmarked Navas on the right
wing.
The Spaniard set off and delayed his pass perfectly
for the arriving Aguero to slide his shot past
Szczesny.
Szczesny then had to prod clear a shot by Silva after
Pablo Zabaleta exploited Arsenal's left flank - and
particularly outclassed full-back Nacho Monreal -
once again.
Aguero's goal had clearly deflated the Gunners and
it was not until the opening exchanges of the second
half that they threatened again - only for Zabaleta to
prevent Welbeck from reaching Alexis' cross.
Just as Arsenal appeared to be fading once more,
they struck a 63rd-minute equaliser through
Wilshere.
Aguero lost the ball in midfield and Alexis pounced,
threading a pass to Ramsey who found Wilshere.
The England international still had work to do, but
he expertly rounded Clichy with a wonderful touch
before lofting the ball over Hart.
And 11 minutes later Wilshere was involved as
Arsenal surged ahead through Alexis, who volleyed
his team-mate's header into the net after a failed
clearance from Vincent Kompany.
Demichelis capitalised on poor defending to plunder
City's equaliser and Arsenal were relieved to see the
flag go up after their former player Nasri stabbed
the ball into the net in stoppage time.
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