If offered a draw before kick-off, most Arsenal fans would have taken it; at half-time there is not a chance any would even consider it. Agonisingly close to an amazing result but with 10 men, how they defended it was heroic.
Writing lines for full-time is an art which can be both painful, exciting and unpredictable. As Arsenal went in at half-time against Manchester City with a surprise lead but a deficit in terms of the number of players on the field, literally anything was possible for the second half.
One decision made was to bring on Ben White for Bukayo Saka to help cover the loss of Leandro Trossard to a maddening second yellow card. Mikel Arteta is a man who has been judged on the progression of his Arsenal side but criticised for his management of some games such as the home tie with Aston Villa last season which proved pivotal in the title race.
