A resolute defensive display from Arsenal earned the Gunners a point as they played out a goalless draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, leaving Liverpool top of the table.
City dominated the ball, with 72 per cent possession, but were unable to create many clear-cut chances, with Gabriel and William Saliba superb for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's side drop to second, two points behind Liverpool following the Reds' 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the day. City are a point further back in third.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Man City
MCI
|
38 | +62 | 91 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
38 | +62 | 89 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +45 | 82 |
How the match unfolded
Pep Guardiola made two changes to the side that beat Newcastle United in the FA Cup a fortnight ago, with Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne replacing Jeremy Doku and the injured Kyle Walker.
First-choice goalkeeper Ederson remained sidelined, so Stefan Ortega continued to deputise, with 38-year-old Scott Carson, who has not made a Premier League appearance since May 2021, named on the bench.
There was just one change for Arsenal - Gabriel Jesus replacing Leandro Trossard up front - while Bukayo Saka was passed fit after missing England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
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Man City began the match on the front foot, and had a chance to go in front from a corner through Ake, but the ball hit his shoulder before falling kindly for Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Ake limped off shortly after, being replaced by Rico Lewis, and as the first half developed, Arsenal grew into the contest.
Jesus flashed a shot narrowly wide before his jinking run ended in another effort on goal being blocked as it remained goalless at the break.
Saka fizzed into life early in the second half, getting to the byline before sending the ball across goal, but Jesus was unable to get onto the end of it.
Guardiola made a double change on the hour mark, introducing Doku and Jack Grealish, with Arteta responding by bringing on Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu for Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior.
The two City substitutes combined to create an opening, with Grealish crossing for Doku, but the Belgian shot well wide.
Erling Haaland was then unable to make the most of a half-chance from a corner, failing to produce a finish at the far post.
Arsenal substitute Trossard forced a save from Ortega at the other end as the Gunners looked to catch City on the break, but neither side were able to find a winner.
One concern for Arteta will have been the sight of Saka limping off during the second half, with Arsenal next in action at home to Luton Town on Wednesday.
City, who only managed one shot on target, were held to their first 0-0 draw in the Premier League since March 2022 against Crystal Palace, ending their run of 75 consecutive league games without any being goalless.
Club reports
Man City report | Arsenal report
Next Premier League fixtures
Key facts
Man City failed to score in a Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium for the first time since a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in October 2021; they had scored in 47 straight home league matches prior to this draw with Arsenal.
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in both of their league meetings with Man City this season, making them just the fourth side to shut out a Guardiola side in two league matches in the same season, after Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014/15, Manchester United in 2020/21, and Crystal Palace in 2021/22.
This match saw just three shots on target (1 Man City, 2 Arsenal), one of just three games to see three or fewer in the Premier League this season, which also includes the reverse meeting between the two sides in October (also 3 shots on target).
Man City and Arsenal played out a goalless draw for the first time since January 2011, with each of the last 33 meetings between the two sides in all competitions seeing at least one goal prior to today.