Late Demichelis goal earns deserved point
A point away at a potential title rival can never be deemed as a bad result, but there is perhaps a slight sour taste in the mouths of fellow City fans today, as we could, and perhaps should, have taken all three points.
There was a debut given to Frank Lampard, the former Chelsea legend given the nod over Yaya Toure, with the latter only arriving back in Manchester on Friday afternoon. For Arsenal, there was a start for Danny Welbeck, and the former Manchester United man should have given Arsenal the lead after a poor back pass from David Silva. Welbeck raced through and clipped the ball over Joe Hart but, thankfully for City, it bounced back off the post.
City soon found a foothold in the game. Milner and Silva were particularly impressive, linking up well and causing Flamini and Wilshere numerous problems. Sergio Aguero started only his second game of the season, and the fabulous Argentine gave City the lead with an excellent finish after great work from Jesus Navas. City were 1-0 up at half time, and more than good value for their lead.
The second half saw Samir Nasri come on for Frank Lampard, and of course, the boring and inevitable boos followed the former Arsenal man. City again started brightly, but it was Arsenal who levelled. Jack Wilshere took on Clichy far too easily, and the Arsenal man finished excellently. It was undeserved, and their was also more reason for City to be unhappy, with Aguero arguably fouled in the build up.
The goal seemingly galvanised Arsenal, and the hosts took the lead after a wonderful cushioned volley from Alexis Sanchez. Again though there was arguably a foul in the build up, this time Welbeck barging into Kompany. City were again incensed with referee Mark Clattenburg, who rarely gives City anything in a big game away from home.
City did, however, demonstrate why they are the league champions bygoing on the front foot straight after Arsenal scored. The Blues dominated possession and allowed the hosts no time on the ball. The equaliser eventually came from the most unlikely of sources; Martin Demichelis leapt higher than anyone to powerfully head home from an Aleksandar Kolarov corner.
City didn't stop there, and could have won it when the fabulous David Silva picked out Edin Dzeko, only for the Bosnian to be denied by an excellent save by Wojciech Szczesny. Nasri did follow up the rebound, but was correctly ruled offside.
The game finished 2-2,and whilst a point away from home isn't a bad result, on another day perhaps we could have taken all three.