City held goalless at home for the first time in 58 matches while Arsenal avoid defeat in the Etihad for the first time in nine attempts
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks with Arsenal's Declan Rice following the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. On all eight they had lost. This was much better. It was not the statement victory they had craved, the one to really ignite dreams of a first Premier League title in 20 years.
Arteta was boosted by the availability of Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, each of whom had stood down from national team duty over the past fortnight, while Gabriel Martinelli was back among the substitutes, making a late appearance. City, by contrast, were without the injured Ederson and Kyle Walker, with John Stones fit enough only for the bench.
City hogged the ball. They tried to draw the red shirts out of position with patient approach work. Arsenal measured their progress in the tightness of their shape out of possession, the muscularity of their challenges in the one-on-ones, Gabriel setting the example. That, and their ability to break out, which they did a few times before the interval.
Arsenal pushed for a bit at the start of the second half; they won a few balls and almost got the transitions to work. Martin Ødegaard fed Saka, whose cross was meant for Jesus. He could not get there, Akanji defending the situation well. Previously, Kovacic had bent wide at the other end.
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