London: Arsenal prevented Manchester City from going top of the Premier League on Saturday while keeping up their own pursuit of the title with a spirited fightback to draw 1-1 on Saturday.
With Arsenal still reeling from a demoralising 6-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend, David Silva completed a counter-attack to put City in front in the 18th minute.
But conceding early made Arsenal more assertive and Mathieu Flamini turned Lukas Podolski's cross into the net to level eight minutes into the second half.
Arsenal, who haven't lost at home since the opening day, stays fourth but are now only five points behind Chelsea.
Chelsea's shock 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace presented third-placed City with a chance to take control of the league. Although City are two points behind Chelsea in third, they have two games in hand on the London club.
"Arsenal still has a chance to fight for the title, we'll see which team is better from now until the end," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said.
Even for a side without a league title in a decade, it's far too soon to write off Arsenal. This was a result that will have restored morale in the Emirates Stadium just when it seemed the team's title prospects were evaporating.
The thrashing at Chelsea in Arsene Wenger's 1,000th game in charge was followed by a 2-2 home draw to Swansea on Tuesday.
Such a porous defense accounts for Arsenal's slump this season, and the hosts were breached on the break by City's impressive attacking unit.
Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski conceded possession all too easily in the City half, allowing Yaya Toure to set Silva off on a rampaging run from the halfway line.
The Spain midfielder bamboozled Arsenal's defense as he cut in from the right and released Edin Dzeko. Although Dzeko hit the post, Silva was well place to clip the rebound beyond Wojciech Szczesny from close range.
But there would be no capitulation by Arsenal this weekend. If anything, Arsenal displayed more fighting spirit and control in midfield while searching for the equalizer.
It didn't take Arsenal long after the break to end City's five-game run without conceding in the league.
Santi Cazorla signaled Arsenal's intent by testing Joe Hart before Flamini knocked the ball past the City goalkeeper from close range.
Hart's agility prevented Arsenal from claiming all three points, using his legs to block Podolski, while Cazorla saw a free kick headed wide by Olivier Giroud to leave Arsenal with just two points from three games.
City will feel more relaxed about its title prospects, sitting three points ahead of Arsenal in third having played two fewer games than the Gunners.
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