Giroud ends drought in City draw

Olivier Giroud finally got back on the goal trail as Arsenal picked up a very credible point in a 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

The Frenchman has come under fire in recent months and his goal at the Etihad was his first in his past 16 Premier League appearances. For a striker that sort of statistic simply isn't good enough and up front is an area we have been severely lacking in, but he did perform well against City.

Giroud's goal cancelled out Serigo Aguero's opener before City retook the lead through Kevin de Bruyne within six minutes of the restart. Alexis Sanchez netted 22 minutes from time to ensure that Arsenal would at least get a share of the spoils.

After taking an impressive four points out of a possible six against Manchester City this season, and also beating champions Leicester twice, it makes it all the more frustrating that we were not in the title race for longer. Instead, as it stands, the Gunners lie third with a chance of leapfrogging rivals Spurs second or dropping lower than their current position.

Manchester City were playing in their last home game under Manuel Pellegrini, who is set to be replaced by Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola in the summer. In truth, it didn't feel like it was his last home game in charge and I am unsure how many will be that sad to see him go.

City started strongly and took the lead after just eight minutes when Aguero fired a low shot into the bottom corner. This could've led to City opening the floodgates but instead the Gunners battled back well and levelled matters just two minutes later. A mix up between Joe Hart and former Gunner Gael Clichy saw City conceded a sloppy corner and, from the resulting set-piece, powered home a header.

Arsenal were dealt a blow when Danny Welbeck was forced off with a knee injury after 24 minutes. The extent of the damage is not yet known and the England forward will undoubtedly be sweating on whether or not he will be available for England in the upcoming European Championships.

City looked the more likely to score again in the first half with Aguero seeing his effort deflect just over the bar, but the scores remained level going in at the break.

Sloppy defending allowed City to regain the lead as De Bruyne raced towards goal with far too much ease before his drilled effort beat Gunners' goalkeeper Petr Cech at his near post.

Arsenal once again pegged back their opponents when Giroud set up Sanchez to race forward and fire a clinical strike beyond Joe Hart in the City goal.

The visiting fans had to endure a heart in mouth moment when Aguero's shot flashed just past a post before the hosts very nearly won it two minutes from time. Substitute Wilfried Bony hit a sweetly struck volley towards goal that beat Cech but, fortunately for the Gunners, it crashed back off the crossbar.

Neither side was able to find a winner and, although a draw was a decent result, it was still a shame that we couldn't take full advantage of Tottenham's slip-up.

OPPOSITION VIEW
Man City fan Joe Barnes feels his side should have got more than a draw from their encounter with Arsene Wenger's men.

"We deserved more," said Barnes. "Aguero and Fernandinho were brilliant.

"The rest of the midfield needs an overhaul. Pep (Guardiola) needs to prove his worth and earn his money.

"Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point."

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
A draw away at City would be considered a good result normally but it begs the question how we can get a credible point there yet lose to sides like West Brom. We definitely need to be a lot more consistent.

The title is obviously out of reach and if we did finish second or third there isn't much difference in terms of the end outcome - qualifying for the Champions League and not winning the title. But with the chance of overhauling bitter rivals Spurs, depending on their next result, means the players will have no excuse not to be motivated for the final game of the season at home against already-relegated Aston Villa.

If we beat Villa and Spurs were to lose at Newcastle we would finish second but we can't afford any slip-ups as we could yet finish fourth or even outside the Champions League places.

In terms of the league it is winding down with an all too familiar feeling but that won't stop me from wanting the lads to get a big win against Villa, so let's go end the season on a high.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS