Although drawing at Man City would almost always be seen as a positive result for Arsenal, the way in which the point came about will surely have left all connected with the club disappointed.
After taking a 2-1 lead into the break, the Gunners then set about defending for their lives at the Etihad Stadium as they looked to preserve their advantage with ten men, having had Leandro Trossard sent off on the stroke of half-time.
More drama after City vs Arsenal battle
A backs-against-the-wall performance, the likes of which have possibly never been seen against City, saw the visitors heading deep into injury time with the lead intact, but in what was the game’s final piece of action, Jon Stones scrambled home the equalizer.
After having dominated the second half, there’s an argument that it was no more than Pep Guardiola’s side deserved, but for Arsenal and the neutrals, it was the cruelest way for the game to end.
In any event, there was tension throughout much of the 90 minutes, with little battles and niggles between players going on all over the pitch.
That spilled over after Michael Oliver had blown the final whistle, with TV pictures showing both benches scrapping with each other, as heated arguments were continuing between opposition players.
It’s now come to light that it wasn’t just down at ground level where all of the fun was taking place either.
According to The Sun, something unheard of happened between board members in the director’s box at the full-time whistle.
Apparently, Arsenal CEO, Tim Lewis, refused to shake hands with his counterparts and instead turned on his heels and walked away from his hosts.
That’s not a good look for the North London outfit, and it will be interesting to see what happens in the reverse fixture.
Top photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
