It is fair to say that the bar was set low for Arsenal. On eight previous ­occasions in all competitions, they had visited the Etihad Stadium to take on Pep Guardiola’s ­Manchester City. On all eight they had lost. This was much better. It was not the ­statement ­victory they had craved, the one to ignite dreams of a first ­Premier League title in 20 years.

But it was a result that kept them above the defending champions with another game chalked off, the ­margins narrowing further in the race for the title. If Liverpool, ­watching from the other end of the East Lancs Road after their home ­victory against Brighton, were the day’s winners, going two points clear, then Arsenal could not grumble.

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