City and Arsenal cancel each other out at Etihad

Manchester City and Arsenal had to share the spoils as the two sides remained deadlocked after a 0-0 stalemate bursting with intensity, but lacking in goalmouth action. 

With the Etihad Stadium pulsing with energy at kick-off, Pep Guardiola's side made a fast start and pinned Arsenal back during the opening exchanges. 

However, the first shot of the high stakes contest came courtesy of the Gunners Gabriel Jesus, who fired wide. 

Truth be told, a highly-competitive encounter between two well-matched sides was always likely to be tight and clear openings were at a premium in a cagey first-half. 

There were fascinating tussles all over the pitch with Declan Rice and Rodri wrestling for control of midfield, but the obvious intensity in each's side play was not translated into chances - although former City forward Jesus was a bright spark for Arsenal and flashed another shot wide of the target. 

Nathan Ake was forced off with a potential calf injury, to be replaced by Rico Lewis, but neither side was able to fashion a breakthrough in the first 45 and they remained deadlocked at the break.

Half-time: Man City 0-0 Arsenal

The hosts started the livelier after the interval, but Arsenal were again threatening to create something going forward, Bukayo Saka skidding a dangerous cross along the six-yard line without anybody to convert it. 

Flurries of substitutions aside, there was little of note to report as the game entered its final quarter - City encamped inside Arsenal's half for the most part, but Mikel Arteta's side standing firm at the back. 

With the clock counting down, City had a sniff of an opportunity when a cross found Erling Haaland at the back stick, but the Norwegian's fluffed shot rather typified a game lacking in goalmouth action. 

On the stroke of full-time, Arsenal had arguably the biggest chance of the contest - a quick break releasing Leandro Trossard down the left wing for a shot that was palmed out by Stefan Ortega when the Belgian arguably should have squared the ball for the onrushing Gabriel Martinelli. 

The result leaves Arsenal second, two points behind leaders Liverpool, with City a further point back in third. 

xG: Man City (0.85) 0-0 (0.73) Arsenal