City-Arsenal talking points

Manchester City’s top-four hopes are hanging in the balance after Arsenal twice fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Super Sunday.

Sergio Aguero gave Manuel Pellegrini’s men a perfect start when he scored his eighth goal in six Premier League games after eight minutes, but Olivier Giroud headed Arsenal’s equaliser from a corner just two minutes later.

Kevin de Bruyne put City back in front with a low drive shortly after half-time, but Alexis Sanchez pulled Arsenal level again midway through the second half as the Gunners claimed a valuable point.

From City’s Champions League chances to Giroud’s improved performance for Arsenal, here are five talking points from the game…

Manchester City at risk

Manchester City’s top-four hopes are out of their hands, and they are in real danger of starting Pep Guardiola’s reign without Champions League football. Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday left City needing three points against Arsenal, but they could now drop to fifth if Louis van Gaal’s side win their game in hand against West Ham on Tuesday.

The home supporters at the Etihad showed their disappointment by leaving in their droves long before Pellegrini’s leaving speech, and City only have themselves to blame for their current predicament. “It’s not just about today, it’s about results before today,” said Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.

“City were good today but if you’re a City supporter watching that first half you’re saying to yourself: ‘Why are we not like that every week?’ City have the best players but week after week this season they’ve gone out and not matched the opposition for effort. That’s why they are where they are.”

Welbeck injury hands Wilshere chance

Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck looked disconsolate as he trudged down the tunnel after hurting his knee in the first half. The 25-year-old faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury ahead …

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