3 standout players from Arsenal's last gasp draw with Manchester City

Arsenal's great run of home form in the Premier League continued as they snatched a late equaliser against a stubborn Manchester City side at the Emirates today. Three players in particular stood out above the rest.

Mikel Arteta's decision to leave Eberechi Eze on the bench until half-time may have given Manchester City the upper hand in a contest that they could ill-afford to lose.

Despite an encouraging start, City scored a classic counter attacking goal when Calafiori's misplaced cross set Tijjani Reijnders away through the middle with all three of Arsenal's midfield in pursuit. Reijnders' through ball was controlled and dispatched expertly by Erling Haaland to give the visitors the lead.

Consequently, Arsenal offered very little attacking threat aside from Noni Madueke, who put in another excellent shift before being withdrawn at half-time.

Neither Mikel Merino or Viktor Gyökeres gave City any cause for concern in a first half which saw Arsenal have just two shots on target. Merino has struggled in a more attacking midfield role. It's an experiment that hasn't worked in the slightest and he has been carried through the last two games.

After the break, the introduction of Eberechi Eze in a more central position enabled the Gunners to link up play far more fluently and gain control. Furthermore, replacing Madueke with Saka reinvigorated the Arsenal attack.

As the Gunners pressed for an equaliser, Pep Guardiola switched to a back five to completely nullify the impact of both Eze and Saka.

This was so nearly a tactical and pragmatic masterclass from Guardiola, whose City side must never be under-estimated.

Eze's hopeful ball over the top of City's defence deep into injury time found Gabriel Martinelli who flicked the ball sublimely over the advancing Gianluigi Donnarumma. His second goal of the week after coming on as substitute earned Arsenal a valuable point that lifted them to second in the table, five points behind leaders Liverpool.

1. Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke continues to justify Arteta's faith in him. After an impressive performance against Athletic Club in midweek, he was once again Arsenal's most threatening attacking player. The decision to replace him at half-time with Saka only continues to emphasise Arsenal's new strength in depth.

In a first half that saw the Gunners create very little, only Madueke made anything happen in the attacking third. His determination to get to the byline at every opportunity was reminiscant of a late eighties John Barnes. City were hard pushed to stop him.

With Bukayo Saka looking on from the bench, Madueke had his best half of the season. Late in the first half, his back-heel to put Jurriën Timber in behind was as effective as it was tekkers.

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