Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
REMINDER: Stay online NOW for our post-match debate. Tim Peters and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
90
SILVA'S GOAL MAKES THE DIFFERENCE: But RVP and Vermaelen were so close to equalising and City will not have a much tougher game this season
Full Time IT'S ALL OVER: ARSENAL LOSE... BUT DID THEY DESERVE MORE?
90
VERMAELEN AGAIN! Wonderful effort from the Belgian and it curls just wide. So unlucky again - Arsenal DEFINITELY deserve a point here. Joe Hart puffs out his cheeks
90
DZEKO CHANCE: It comes to him quickly and he can only fire wide of the near post
90
FOUR MINUTES OF STOPPAGES: And we're already into the added time
90
NASRI MAN OF THE MATCH? That's the announcement we've just heard. I thought he was pretty anonymous. Intended to rile the away fans I guess
90
WONDERFUL SAVE FROM HART! Arteta squared to Vermaelen and he struck it well but Hart tips over. Great reflexes but if that had been a yard either side it's the equaliser
90
CHAMAKH GOES DOWN... and that's a free kick to Arsenal. Good position, on the left
89
ARSHAVIN CHANCE: Koscielny crossed, RVP controlled and laid it off and Andrey slotted it... wide. A confident Arshavin would probably have nailed that
88
ARSENAL GET THE FREE-KICK: Aguero leaves a leg in on Vermaelen and this is a chance to get the ball into the box
87
ATTACK RICHARDS? He's clearly got a knock, let's get Gervinho over there to take him on. Arsenal need to create a chance here
86
Substitution NASRI ALSO COMES OFF: And on comes Edin Dzeko
86
Substitution DOUBLE CHANGE FOR CITY: Yaya Toure comes off, on comes Nigel de Jong
85
HERE COMES RICHARDS: Barnstorming run from the right back ends with a cross that no one can convert. The right back appears to have injured himself in the process
84
FOUL BY ARSHAVIN: He clips Kompany and City can waste a few seconds before taking this free kick
83
TACTICS: Song drops back into defence alongside Vermaelen and Chamakh joins RVP up front
82
Substitution FINAL CHANGE FOR THE GUNNERS: Off comes Mertesacker, on comes Chamakh. The sound you can hear is Wenger making his last throw of the dice
82
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Tim Peters and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
81
AGUERO WITH THE SHOT: Szczesny parries and City will get a corner but Mertesacker gets up well to clear. Can Arsenal get the chance they need? We've got 10 minutes left
80
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want you have your say on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your tweets right here
79
MATCH STATS: Arsenal have had 50 per cent of the ball and 11 attempts to City's 12. It has been a very tight game and they will feel aggrieved not to get something from it
78
KOSCIELNY WITH THE CROSS: Vermaelen is there but Kompany beats him to it. Handball! Richards controls with his hand, possibly inadvertently. The ref gives nothing
77
NICE SKILL RVP: Arshavin finds the skipper and with his back to goal RVP tries to flick the ball past his marker. He gets a throw
76
CORNER TO CITY: Arsenal's good spell has ended as the home side push on. In comes a corner but that's headed away
75
'OFF OFF OFF OFF!' The City fans want Arteta dismissed after a foul on Barry but there's no way that's going to happen. Not yet, at least
74
Yellow Card ANOTHER CARD: This time it's Arteta...
73
Substitution CITY MAKE A CHANGE: Milner replaces Balotelli as Mancini looks to shore up his midfield
72
Yellow Card AGUERO IS BOOKED: He's the next to incur the wrath of Phil Dowd after a poor challenge
71
ANDREY! Another excellent attack from Arsenal but Arshavin's low ball into the box is too close to Hart and he gathers gratefully. The Gunners are really going for it here - and you have to say they deserve something
70
VERMAELEN LETS FLY: And that takes a flick off a defender, corner to Arsenal... headed away by City but the visitors are enjoying some good pressure
69
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Off comes Walcott, on comes Arshavin. Theo was improving I thought...
69
ARSENAL BREAK AT PACE... but Gervinho's pass to Walcott is delayed and the chance goes begging. He needed to be more alert there
67
RVP WITH THE HEADER! And Hart saves brilliantly. It was a fine cross from Walcott but the flag is up again. Once again that was surely level? If Silva gets the benefit of the doubt why doesn't everyone else?
66
IN IT COMES... and Szczesny claims well. But Arsenal have lost it and Zabaleta rattles the post with Szczesny stranded!
66
CITY HAVE A FREE-KICK: It's about 30 yards out, level with the right corner of the penalty area. Silva lines this one up...
65
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want you have your say on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your tweets right here
65
GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
64
GERVINHO THE KEY? He is getting on the ball a lot and now darts forward on the left. He cuts it back and RVP shoots low, but Hart is down to save
63
CITY MUST SCORE... as Nasri slides it across to Balotelli, but Nasri has overhit that. The striker was offside anyway - not that it seemed to matter earlier
62
AGUERO JUST WIDE: That wasn't far away. Arsenal stretched at the back after Vermaelen's surge and Aguero fizzes one a yard past the post
61
VERMAELEN CHARGES FORWARD: He finds Gervinho, points to where he wants the return, gets it, tries a trick and then wins the ball back... breathless stuff as City break at pace...
60
IT'S END-TO-END NOW: Arsenal are pushing on and I'd be very surprised if there aren't more goals as spaces open up
58
CONTROVERSY? Judging by the replays, Silva was marginally offside when Balotelli shot - and he should have been flagged when he scored. As for the RVP one... well, that was very tight
57
AGUERO INSIDE THE BOX: Mertesacker deals with him well and wins the free kick
56
RVP FINDS THE NET... but the flag is up for offside. I need to see that again, he looked level to me
54
WALCOTT WITH THE SHOT! Great effort from Theo and Hart does well to tip that over
53
CITY HAVE THE LEAD: Balotelli was released down the left, he cut inside and shot, Szczesny parried, Vermaelen stopped Aguero but Silva tucked in the loose ball
52
GOAL! - David Silva 1 : 0 SILVA PUTS CITY IN FRONT!
52
SONG GETS FORWARD: He picks out Theo, takes the return pass but City get a fortunate bounce and Hart claims
50
POOR START FROM MIQUEL: Iggy swings at a Nasri cross and concedes a corner. But he recovers well with a good tackle inside the box on Silva
49
LET'S GET THEO INTO THE GAME: He didn't get on the ball more than once or twice in the first half - time to use his pace in behind Zabaleta
48
TACTICS: Koscielny goes to the right, Vermaelen replaces him in the centre and Miquel comes on at left back. Will we miss Koscielny's pace in the centre?
47
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Well, that WAS quick. Djourou goes off, Miquel comes on and Arsenal's back four gets a reshuffle
47
SONG BROUGHT DOWN: That's a foul from Yaya Toure
Kick Off OFF WE GO: We're back underway at the Etihad
45
JOJO SPEAKS TO IGGY: The players are out and Miquel comes over to see how Djourou is. Johan pulls a face - it looks like he'll see whether his injury improves but I reckon we'll see Miquel pretty soon
45
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want you have your say on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your tweets right here. I'll be back in a bit...
45
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW: An entertaining half draws to a close with the deadlock unbroken. Djourou looks in trouble but Arsenal have done well, weathering the inevitable City storm and creating a few chances of their own
45
GERVINHO IN SPACE: Ooh, that was a shame. Gervinho gets a run down the left but his cross is wayward. That was a decent position
45
DJOUROU HAS A KNOCK: He's holding his groin and is grimacing with pain. Colin Lewin will be busy at half time
44
Yellow Card KOSCIELNY IN THE THICK OF IT: The free kick bounces out to him, he shoots but it's blocked and City break. Koscielny catches up with Aguero but fouls him and that's another yellow card
43
TWO BAD FOULS: Zabaleta crunches RVP and he is down. The ref waves play on and Gervinho is also brought down, much further forward on the right. Free kick for Arsenal
42
GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
41
SZCZESNY TO THE RESCUE: Aguero finds a yard of space in the area and shoots low but Wojciech is down to his right to deny him once more
40
GOOD ARSENAL POSSESSION: The visitors keep the ball well but Walcott is challenged - fairly - and City can break
39
Yellow Card THAT'S NASTY: Barry goes in the book for a tackle from behind on Arteta. No need for that
38
MERTESACKER AWAY: That's a big challenge from the big German as Nasri crosses and City look for scraps as the ball is half-cleared
36
GERVINHO AND RAMSEY LINK UP: Good interplay down the left right in front of Roberto Mancini
35
SO CLOSE ARSENAL! Koscielny brings the ball out, finds RVP, he gets a shot away and it deflects towards Ramsey and Koscielny but Hart is able to grab the ball
34
RAMSEY WITH YAYA TOURE... That's six of one, half-dozen of the other but the ref gives the free kick to City
33
RVP WITH THE HEADER: It's looping but it's wide. Good break though with Gervinho scooting down the left and Ramsey getting the cross in
32
NASRI THREAT: Samir tries to thread a ball through the Arsenal defence but that runs through to Szczesny. Nasri looks in decent form though
31
SUPERB FROM KOSCIELNY: He keeps with Aguero, nicks the ball away, stays at it and Arsenal eventually clear through Arteta
30
GOOD DELIVERY: But RVP heads it clear. He does a good job at that near post
30
CORNER TO CITY: Silva trots over to take it for the home side...
29
ENGROSSING STUFF: There is so much attacking talent on display here and as such it's a really watchable game. Arsenal don't really know how to shut up shop but they have created chances as well as conceded them
28
SONG SUSPENDED: That booking was Alex's fifth of the season, by the way. So he'll miss the Villa game on Wednesday
27
RVP WILL TAKE THIS ONE... he clips it in towards Koscielny but City head clear. Lots of Arsenal bodies in the box but it would not fall their way
26
SONG STOPS AGUERO: That's a great tackle from Alex and he starts another Arsenal attack. Gervinho gets hauled down, free kick to the Gunners
25
RVP GETS DOWN THE LEFT... he gets his cross in but that's too deep for Walcott
24
SILVA SERVICE: The Spaniard is such a special talent and Arsenal are struggling to contain him when City go forward. Silva is nominally on the right but he drifts inside and is so hard to pick up
23
GREAT SAVE SZCZESNY: Richards with the cross, it fell nicely for Balotelli and he shoots low but Wojciech smothers well
22
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want you have your say on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your tweets right here
22
GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
21
COME ON THEO! Koscielny does really well to shrug off Balotelli and then find Gervinho down the left. He cuts the ball back for Walcott but he dawdles and loses possession
19
BETTER FROM ARSENAL: The home fans are grumbling and that's a good thing from an Arsenal perspective. Three efforts on goal in one minute after none in 17 - they have a foothold
18
RAMSEY GOES FOR GOAL: RVP plays the corner deeper and Hart tips Ramsey's first-time effort past the post. RVP swings the next corner in and Vermaelen gets his head on it... but Hart claims
17
GERVINHO SHOOTS! Oooh, Hart bundles that one behind! Suddenly the Ivorian had a sight of goal and Hart had to get down quickly
16
FINALLY, A LULL: The crowd has gone quieter now, with the honourable exception of the travelling Arsenal fans. All the same, the visitors can't keep hold of the ball
15
UNLUCKY DJOUROU: Johan gets past his man on the right and hunts the ball when his attempted cross is blocked... but that's a goal kick to City as the clearance hits him and bounces out of play
14
ARSENAL CANNOT GET GOING: Walcott and Gervinho are not involved at all at the moment while RVP is isolated when the ball does get knocked forward
13
CITY SO GOOD: Is this really the same side that looked so functional and dreary last season? Mancini has got them playing some great stuff - and they are still solid
12
SONG ON THIN ICE: He'll be walking the proverbial tightrope now. Szczesny meanwhile is in action again with a low save to his left
11
Yellow Card AGUERO AGAIN: He tiptoes past a challenge but Arsenal get back in numbers to clear the danger. But Song goes in the book for a foul on Silva, committed before the ref waved play on
9
AGUERO MUST SCORE! But he doesn't! The Carling Cup matchwinner controls a cross but lashes his shot over the bar with only Szczesny to beat. Cracking chance
8
MORE LIKE IT: Finally some possession for the away side. Song tries to play in RVP but that's easy for Joe Hart
7
WALCOTT GETS A RUN: Theo pops up on the left and goes at Kompany. The defender does well but that's promising from Theo. Arsenal hadn't threatened at all until then - and there is still a storm to weather
6
ARTETA PENALISED: That's a foul and Nasri comes over to take the free kick. He whips it in... and Szczesny does well to get there first
5
CITY LOOK STRONG: Koscielny has to cover - twice - as City move through the gears. So much pace and invention from the league leaders
4
CAREFUL WOJCIECH: A Cruyff turn gets the keeper out of trouble in his own area but he can't keep on doing that and get away with it...
4
SORT THAT ZIP OUT! The boss has only just managed to do his coat up... that's a tricky zip
3
DJOUROU SLIDES IN... and gets the ball away after a slick City move. Silva was at the heart of it as the home team push on
2
COAT FOR WENGER: The boss pulls on one of those duvet-style jackets as he strolls to the edge of his technical area
2
EARLY ARSENAL POSSESSION: The visitors pop it around in midfield and at the back. Good early touch for most of them
Kick Off OFF WE GO: A quick rendition of 'Blue Moon' and we're underway at the Etihad
GOOD FROM YOU RVP: The Arsenal players head to the centre circle to wave to all four corners of the ground - a traditional gesture which has been brought back. Now they embrace and encourage as we wait for kick off
HERE THEY COME... Sky blue to the left of me, red and white to my right. Man City and Arsenal are here, most of the fans are too and the Premier League handshake music accompanies the, er, pre-match handshakes
PLAYERS IN THE TUNNEL: 'Hey Jude' rings out across the Etihad - that must be their 'Wonder Of You' - and RVP is all smiles as he prepares to lead Arsenal out
THURSDAY NIGHT, CHANNEL FIVE: The away fans taunt the City supporters with their new European broadcast slot following that Champions League exit
BOOOOOOOOOOOYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH: That was the reaction as Nasri's name was read out once again. The Arsenal fans were first in before the City faithful responded
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want you have your say on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your tweets right here
GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
ARE YOU WATCHING THE SHOW? If not, for heaven's sake log in now. Tim Peters and Martin Hayes are in the studio while commentary Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke are sat poised just behind me, headphones and mics at the ready
HELLO KOLO: Former Arsenal favourite Kolo Toure starts for City today but, while Nasri plays, Gael Clichy does not. He's suspended so Pablo Zabaleta shunts across to left back. Theo Walcott - get at him
TRAVELLING FANS: The Gooners off to my right are already in good voice. Predictably they gave Samir Nasri a rousing jeer when his name was announced over the tannoy and now RVP is the centre of attention. 'He scores when he wants...'
LIMBERING UP: I've swapped the warmth of the press lounge for a chilly press box and both teams are warming up down in front of me. Arsenal's starters have just finished a possession drill while the subs are taking pot-shots at Szczesny
ARSENAL UNCHANGED: As expected Wenger has gone with the same XI that started the 1-0 win over Everton. Vermaelen continues at left back, Djourou is on the right
SUBS: Rosicky, Almunia, Arshavin, Frimpong, Chamakh, Benayoun, Miquel
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie
DO YOU AGREE WITH DAN? Our commentator has spoken - tell him what you think at www.arsenal.com/studio
DAN ROEBUCK: 'I bumped into a few Arsenal fans on the way up and they were in buoyant mood. I have to say I'm with them - this might just be a great time to face City'
WHO SHOULD START? To my mind the team picks itself and I'm expecting the same starting XI as last weekend. Would you make any changes? Have your say on Twitter at #ArsenalLive
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Dan and Richard - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
Tim Peters is your presenter for the day and he'll cross live to our commentary team of Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke before City and Arsenal get started. Here comes a reminder of how to play YOUR part in our coverage
Our Matchday Show gets underway at 3.45pm (UK time), that's 25 minutes before the slightly unusual kick-off time of 4.10pm. Coming your way: highlights from the win over Everton, exclusive interviews with Arsene Wenger and Robin van Persie, plus analysis from studio guest Martin Hayes
We're at the Etihad Stadium for a game that could thrust Arsenal into the heat of the title race or cut them adrift of the leaders. We'll hope for the former while fearing the latter
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of arguably our toughest test of the season so far - Manchester City away
01 HART, Joe
02 RICHARDS, Micah
28 TOURE, Kolo
04 KOMPANY, Vincent
05 ZABALETA, Pablo
TOURE, Yaya
34 DE JONG, Nigel (86)
18 BARRY, Gareth
08 NASRI, Samir
10 DZEKO, Edin (86)
21 SILVA, David
16 AGUERO, Sergio
45 BALOTELLI, Mario
07 MILNER, James (73)
30 PANTILIMON, COSTEL
06 LESCOTT, JOLEON
15 SAVIC, STEFAN
34 DE JONG, NIGEL
07 MILNER, JAMES
21 JOHNSON, ADAM
10 DZEKO, EDIN
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
20 DJOUROU, Johan
54 MIQUEL, Ignasi (47)
04 MERTESACKER, Per
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (82)
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
25 SONG, Alex
08 ARTETA, Mikel
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
14 WALCOTT, Theo
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (69)
27 GERVINHO
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
01 ALMUNIA, MANUEL
54 MIQUEL, IGNASI
12 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
30 BENAYOUN, YOSSI
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
I think that was very close. For a short time, Joe Hart was very concerned about that.