Arsene Wenger knows the pressure is off a little now, as they are very close to cementing that Champions League spot for next season.
90
In the end, good work from Arsenal.
Full time
It's all over for City. That fine run comes to a dissapointing end at the Emirates.
89
Substitution
A final Arsenal change, as Phillippe Senderos is introduced for Rosicky.
89
Substitution
A last throw of the dice for Pearce, as Vassell is replaced by Stephen Ireland.
86
Now Samaras shoots for City, who are fast running out of time, but Lehmann deals with it.
85
Substitution
A second Arsenal substitution, with Denilson on for Cesc Fabregas, who has earned a sit down.
82
Corradi tries his hand, but Gallas blocks the effort from the sub.
80
Hleb huffed and puffed into the box and teed up Baptista for a 10-yard tuck-in.
79
Goal
But Distin is missed almost immediately. Julio Baptista tucks home Alexander Hleb's pass.
77
Substitution
And Distin leaves the action as well. Corradi is on for him. Pearce has gone for it.
77
Substitution
Right on cue: two changes. First Samaras is on for Sun Jihai.
75
Surely now Pearce will be thinking about some fresh legs? He has all those attacking options on the bench.
75
That means it is the same two Gunners scorers as those that downed Bolton here on Saturday.
74
Isaksson had no chance with that one. The ball curled away from him at some pace.
73
Goal
A second goal for the Gunners, as Cesc Fabregas volleys home powerfully from 20 yards.
71
It's been a clean game. Ref. Mark Halsey hasn't had to show a single card as yet.
70
That was definitely a curse on Adebayor: he's had three good chances in this half. Isaksson saved two and Distin blocked the third.
69
Still no changes from Pearce. You have to wonder if he'll try and win this with an attacking sub.
68
Now Adebayor gets a header on target, but Isaksson saves.
67
He looks so much stronger alongside a specialist goal scorer like Henry or van Persie
66
Adebayor has a shot blocked, but the Togo man has done little tonight.
64
Hleb shoots again, but the Belarus midfielder fires off target.
62
We're virtually straight up the other end, where Barton forces Lehmann to make another good save.
61
But it is Alex Hleb who shoots next. Again Dunne blocks it and Arsenal cannot break through for a second time.
60
Their confidence is building - and why not with that fine away record
59
City are definitely getting more and more of the ball.
57
Fabregas tries his luck from 25 yards, but City block and clear as they are doing fairly reliably tonight
53
City, on the other hand, could introduce any of Stephen Ireland, Georgios Samaras, Bernardo Corradi or attacking defender/midfielder Hatem Trabelsi - should they choose
52
Turning to the two benches, Arsenal have only Denilson who plays in an offensive role
49
The game could use another goal right about now. We're a little off the boil.
49
Looks like more of the same, with the Gunners dominating possession without turning it into dangerous chances
47
The China defender hasn't scored a senior goal for City since August 2003!
47
Sun Jihai claims the first shot of the second half at The Emirates, but that one comes to nothing.
46
The action restarts in London, where City came back to pull Arsenal level at the break
Half time
That's it for the first half. Arsenal led and should have created more from their possession, but City finished the half strongest.
44
Lehmann redeems himself with a smart save from Barton there. City could have been up at the break totally against the run of play then.
41
But Johnson should never have got the ball in the first place. Jens Lehmann has to take some of the responsibility for that
41
That's Beasley's fourth of the season. He latched onto Michael Johnson's probing pass to tuck in at the far post
41
That was a neat finish form the US star: it will have done his hopes of a new contract no harm surely?
40
Goal
Against the run of play DaMarcus Beasley has equalised
35
Diaby has only been involved for the first team 16 times since last May! His time here has been blighted by injuries.
32
Fabregas looks to emulate Rosicky in getting two in two, but the Spaniard's drive is parried by Isaksson and cleared.
30
Substitution
Julio Baptista is on for Abou Diaby. Diaby is only just back from injury, so Arsene Wenger will be unhappy to be making that forced substitution.
30
Speaking of changes, Arsenal have had one forced on them...
30
It's hardly frantic at the Emirates. At least City do have attacking options on the bench.
27
Fabregas tries to threaten with a free-kick, but Isaksson easily gathers that one and looks to launch City on an attack
25
Abou Diaby is back on in a bandage. He got caught by the boot of Richard Dunne, but it looked accidental.
19
It's settled down a bit in London, where Arsenal are still up on possession but have not troubled Andreas Isaksson a second time
17
Adebayor needs to be careful. He's fouled Hamann again and it's still early days in this game
14
City need to compose themselves. They were caught napping with that goal. Pearce won't be happy.
14
Not a common sight for the home fans: Arsenal have taken the lead and they only needed two shots to score a goal!
13
Rosicky was in something of a drought, but that's two goals in two games for the Czech midfielder
12
Goal
The first goal of the game, and Tomas Rosicky grabs it. He half-volleys home a good deep cross from Emmanuel Eboue on the right
8
Goal-shy Alexander Hleb tries a rare shot, but Sylvain Distin won't be beaten with that effort
8
City are combining well between Beasley and Vassell. Their partnership from their left has looked promising, but the final ball hasn't been there
6
Arsenal are passing the ball around adequately, but they have not created anything of note in the early stages
4
In-form City winger DaMarcus Beasley tries a shot, but Kolo Toure blocks it and there was no real danger
2
A foul by Emmanuel Adebayor causes the ref. to blow up, but no team has threatened anything yet
Kickoff
So the action kicks off at the Emirates
Awaiting Kickoff
By contrast, City are thankful that top marksman Barton is on the field today, though his bag of seven goals highlights the club's lack of a deadly striker this campaign
Awaiting Kickoff
Henry has 12 goals this season, while his Dutch team-mate is beating him with his haul of 13
Awaiting Kickoff
More good news for City is that Arsenal are still without their two top scorers: Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie
Awaiting Kickoff
City are in impressive away form, with the travelling fans tonight doubtless hoping they can add to three straight wins on the road
Awaiting Kickoff
That clearly looks like a defensive move for Pearce, with Vassell likely to push up front after impressing in the weekend draw
Awaiting Kickoff
So he is replaced in the Blues team by midfielder Didi Hamann
Awaiting Kickoff
Emile Mpenza injured his hip in the draw with Liverpool
Awaiting Kickoff
Likewise, Stuart Pearce makes a solitary change too
Awaiting Kickoff
He is replaced in the side by Abou Diaby for this clash
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsene Wenger makes just the one change from that match, with Freddie Ljungberg forcing that issue with a hamstring injury
Awaiting Kickoff
But Arsenal were impressive in their last match, in which they beat Bolton here by a 2-1 score at the weekend
Awaiting Kickoff
City won the last encounter between the sides: Joey Barton's spot-kick the difference back in August
Awaiting Kickoff
Manchester City, of course, have travelled to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium for the first time this evening
Arsenal
Manchester City
Arsene Wenger knows the pressure is off a little now, as they are very close to cementing that Champions League spot for next season.
In the end, good work from Arsenal.
Full time
It's all over for City. That fine run comes to a dissapointing end at the Emirates.
Substitution
A final Arsenal change, as Phillippe Senderos is introduced for Rosicky.
Substitution
A last throw of the dice for Pearce, as Vassell is replaced by Stephen Ireland.
Now Samaras shoots for City, who are fast running out of time, but Lehmann deals with it.
Substitution
A second Arsenal substitution, with Denilson on for Cesc Fabregas, who has earned a sit down.
Corradi tries his hand, but Gallas blocks the effort from the sub.
Hleb huffed and puffed into the box and teed up Baptista for a 10-yard tuck-in.
Goal
But Distin is missed almost immediately. Julio Baptista tucks home Alexander Hleb's pass.
Substitution
And Distin leaves the action as well. Corradi is on for him. Pearce has gone for it.
Substitution
Right on cue: two changes. First Samaras is on for Sun Jihai.
Surely now Pearce will be thinking about some fresh legs? He has all those attacking options on the bench.
That means it is the same two Gunners scorers as those that downed Bolton here on Saturday.
Isaksson had no chance with that one. The ball curled away from him at some pace.
Goal
A second goal for the Gunners, as Cesc Fabregas volleys home powerfully from 20 yards.
It's been a clean game. Ref. Mark Halsey hasn't had to show a single card as yet.
That was definitely a curse on Adebayor: he's had three good chances in this half. Isaksson saved two and Distin blocked the third.
Still no changes from Pearce. You have to wonder if he'll try and win this with an attacking sub.
Now Adebayor gets a header on target, but Isaksson saves.
He looks so much stronger alongside a specialist goal scorer like Henry or van Persie
Adebayor has a shot blocked, but the Togo man has done little tonight.
Hleb shoots again, but the Belarus midfielder fires off target.
We're virtually straight up the other end, where Barton forces Lehmann to make another good save.
But it is Alex Hleb who shoots next. Again Dunne blocks it and Arsenal cannot break through for a second time.
Their confidence is building - and why not with that fine away record
City are definitely getting more and more of the ball.
Fabregas tries his luck from 25 yards, but City block and clear as they are doing fairly reliably tonight
City, on the other hand, could introduce any of Stephen Ireland, Georgios Samaras, Bernardo Corradi or attacking defender/midfielder Hatem Trabelsi - should they choose
Turning to the two benches, Arsenal have only Denilson who plays in an offensive role
The game could use another goal right about now. We're a little off the boil.
Looks like more of the same, with the Gunners dominating possession without turning it into dangerous chances
The China defender hasn't scored a senior goal for City since August 2003!
Sun Jihai claims the first shot of the second half at The Emirates, but that one comes to nothing.
The action restarts in London, where City came back to pull Arsenal level at the break
Half time
That's it for the first half. Arsenal led and should have created more from their possession, but City finished the half strongest.
Lehmann redeems himself with a smart save from Barton there. City could have been up at the break totally against the run of play then.
But Johnson should never have got the ball in the first place. Jens Lehmann has to take some of the responsibility for that
That's Beasley's fourth of the season. He latched onto Michael Johnson's probing pass to tuck in at the far post
That was a neat finish form the US star: it will have done his hopes of a new contract no harm surely?
Goal
Against the run of play DaMarcus Beasley has equalised
Diaby has only been involved for the first team 16 times since last May! His time here has been blighted by injuries.
Fabregas looks to emulate Rosicky in getting two in two, but the Spaniard's drive is parried by Isaksson and cleared.
Substitution
Julio Baptista is on for Abou Diaby. Diaby is only just back from injury, so Arsene Wenger will be unhappy to be making that forced substitution.
Speaking of changes, Arsenal have had one forced on them...
It's hardly frantic at the Emirates. At least City do have attacking options on the bench.
Fabregas tries to threaten with a free-kick, but Isaksson easily gathers that one and looks to launch City on an attack
Abou Diaby is back on in a bandage. He got caught by the boot of Richard Dunne, but it looked accidental.
It's settled down a bit in London, where Arsenal are still up on possession but have not troubled Andreas Isaksson a second time
Adebayor needs to be careful. He's fouled Hamann again and it's still early days in this game
City need to compose themselves. They were caught napping with that goal. Pearce won't be happy.
Not a common sight for the home fans: Arsenal have taken the lead and they only needed two shots to score a goal!
Rosicky was in something of a drought, but that's two goals in two games for the Czech midfielder
Goal
The first goal of the game, and Tomas Rosicky grabs it. He half-volleys home a good deep cross from Emmanuel Eboue on the right
Goal-shy Alexander Hleb tries a rare shot, but Sylvain Distin won't be beaten with that effort
City are combining well between Beasley and Vassell. Their partnership from their left has looked promising, but the final ball hasn't been there
Arsenal are passing the ball around adequately, but they have not created anything of note in the early stages
In-form City winger DaMarcus Beasley tries a shot, but Kolo Toure blocks it and there was no real danger
A foul by Emmanuel Adebayor causes the ref. to blow up, but no team has threatened anything yet
Kickoff
So the action kicks off at the Emirates
Awaiting Kickoff
By contrast, City are thankful that top marksman Barton is on the field today, though his bag of seven goals highlights the club's lack of a deadly striker this campaign
Awaiting Kickoff
Henry has 12 goals this season, while his Dutch team-mate is beating him with his haul of 13
Awaiting Kickoff
More good news for City is that Arsenal are still without their two top scorers: Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie
Awaiting Kickoff
City are in impressive away form, with the travelling fans tonight doubtless hoping they can add to three straight wins on the road
Awaiting Kickoff
That clearly looks like a defensive move for Pearce, with Vassell likely to push up front after impressing in the weekend draw
Awaiting Kickoff
So he is replaced in the Blues team by midfielder Didi Hamann
Awaiting Kickoff
Emile Mpenza injured his hip in the draw with Liverpool
Awaiting Kickoff
Likewise, Stuart Pearce makes a solitary change too
Awaiting Kickoff
He is replaced in the side by Abou Diaby for this clash
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsene Wenger makes just the one change from that match, with Freddie Ljungberg forcing that issue with a hamstring injury
Awaiting Kickoff
But Arsenal were impressive in their last match, in which they beat Bolton here by a 2-1 score at the weekend
Awaiting Kickoff
City won the last encounter between the sides: Joey Barton's spot-kick the difference back in August
Awaiting Kickoff
Manchester City, of course, have travelled to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium for the first time this evening