Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny’s late strike secured a deserved point for Arsenal away to Man City. The performance will give Arsenal fans plenty to be optimistic about for the rest of the season.

Before the game, Arsenal fans saw that they were missing their captain due to injury, so Koscielny was given his first start of the season, partnering Per Mertesacker at the back. A draw was a good result, but Arsenal could have won the game. They were the better team in the first half, Cazorla and Gibbs got themselves into good positions, but ultimately didn’t trouble the goalkeeper. Aaron Ramsey put Gervinho through on goal in the 16th minute, but his first touch was awful and the chance was gone.

Carl Jenkinson went forward and was rewarded for his ambition when he went past Lescott on the byline. Jenkinson, who put in a great performance, cut the ball back for Lukas Podolski who blazed over the bar.

As half time approached, City upped their game. Five minutes before the half, City had a corner that Mannone flapped at and Lescott rose highest to head in. Mannone’s fingertip save kept Arsenal in the game moments later, denying Dzeko a second.

In the second half, City tried to kill the game off when Aguero fired over the bar. Arsene Wenger threw on Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott on with 20 minutes left to try and find an equaliser. 10 minutes from time, Mannone saved from Aguero to again give Arsenal a chance of getting a point. Cazorla had a shot from 25 yards saved and put behind for a corner. That corner wasn’t cleared properly by City and Koscielny’s rocket of a shot hit the back of the net to the delight of both the players and travelling fans that they celebrated in front of.

City had chances late on from both Aguero and Kompany before Gervinho nearly stole it at the end but he got his finish all wrong and fired over. Gervinho had found some form before this game with two against Southampton last weekend and 1 in the Champions League against Montpellier, but he disappointed in this game.

Arsenal had the better of the first half and City had the better of the second. Oddly enough, City scored in the first and Arsenal scored in the second. City’s great home record was well documented before the game, so a point at City is a good result for the Gunners.

Next up for Arsenal is Coventry at home in the League Cup before another big game in the league, this time against Chelsea.

Koscielny is mobbed after his equaliser.