Arsenal showed signs of recovery from their recent dismal run of form as they twice fought back from behind to draw with Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners had lost four out of their previous five Premier League games and faced City against uncertainty surrounding manager Arsene Wenger’s future, with more protests staged before kick-off.
With Arsenal fans once again calling for Wenger to resign during a pre-match protest march outside the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners boss desperately needed a dominant display from his team.
Instead, Arsenal twice had to come from behind to avoid a third successive Premier League defeat.
The north Londoners remain in sixth place, seven points behind fourth-placed City in the fight to qualify for the Champions League via a top-four finish.
Arsenal fell behind after only five minutes when Leroy Sane held off Hector Bellerin as he accelerated onto Kevin De Bruyne’s pass before rounding David Ospina and slotting home.
Theo Walcott equalised for Arsenal in the 40th minute when he stabbed in after City defender Gael Clichy played him onside following a half-cleared corner.
Just two minutes later, Sergio Aguero restored City’s advantage with a predatory finish after more sloppy Arsenal defending.
Arsenal lost French defender Laurent Koscielny to an Achilles tendon injury at the interval.
But Wenger’s side were back on level terms again eight minutes after halftime as Shkodran Mustafi headed in from Mesut Ozil’s corner.
City had a penalty appeal turned down when Nacho Monreal appeared to handle in the final seconds.
Pep Guardiola’s side have now drawn their last three league matches and have a five-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand on their local rivals.
