Arsenal denied by late Demichelis header
Martin Demichelis’ late header saved Manchester City from a second successive defeat as the Premier League champions rescued a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Saturday.
City, who had lost at home to Stoke immediately before the international break, appeared set to leave the Emirates Stadium empty-handed when Arsenal staged a second half comeback with two excellent goals from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez overturning Sergio Aguero’s first half opener.
But Argentine defender Demichelis was allowed a free header from an 84th minute corner to ensure both teams go into their opening Champions League group games next week having avoided defeat.
City finished the stronger with Samir Nasri seeing a late effort ruled out for offside, but both managers could make a case that their side was hard done by.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will feel his side have made progress after suffering a succession of painful defeats against their top four rivals last season, but the Gunners have won only one of their first four league matches.
Wenger handed a debut to Danny Welbeck whose £16 million ($26 million) transfer from Manchester United had lifted the mood among Arsenal supporters critical of Wenger’s failure to bring in a striker during the transfer window.
Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, handed a first Manchester City start to Frank Lampard who joined the club on loan after leaving Chelsea as a free agent, with the former England midfielder replacing Yaya Toure who was rested following international duty with the Ivory Coast.
Of the two new faces, it was Welbeck who made the bigger impression early on with the forward clearly brimming with confidence following his two-goal display for England in Switzerland in midweek.
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