Numerous issues for Wenger to address

Arsene Wenger set the agenda before kick-off when he described the significance of this game to both teams.

“I think they [Manchester City] are in a situation where a draw will not be good enough, and we are in the same situation,” said the Arsenal manager.

By those terms of reference, then Arsenal were not good enough. It was a point even Wenger accepted as he uncharacteristically passed up the chance to direct his frustration on the match officials. Instead he accepted Laurent Koscielny’s early red card let them down and focused on the shortcomings of his players.