Arsenal ground out a backs-to-the-wall 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday, surviving the second half with 10 men.

For the second time in three league games, the Gunners had a player sent off for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart, resulting in them dropping in deep to hold onto a result.

It was a moment of madness from Leandro Trossard to kick the ball away, especially after Declan Rice’s second bookable offence for the same thing against Brighton a few weeks back.

At the time of the red card, Arsenal were 2-1 up, taking the fight to City on their own turf.

An excellent long-range strike from Riccardo Calafiori and a Gabriel header from a corner overturned Erling Haaland’s early goal, and the Gunners looked well-placed for the three points.

Within the frantic first half, Rodri, arguably City’s most important player, went down with an injury which did help to turn the tide, but the Gunners capitalised and took control.

For the second half, we saw a defensive masterclass as to a man, every single Arsenal player defended the box with their lives.

It’s difficult to pick out any individual as everyone played a vital role in restricting City to very little, only to concede from a goalmouth scramble at the death.

We know that City are the best attacking side in world football, and that’s always created a feeling that they are the best team in the world.

But Sunday we saw that even though Arsenal can’t match them going forward, there’s nobody better on the defensive side of the ball.

The defence, combined with Rodri being likely to miss the season with an ACL injury, should give Arsenal great hope.

This is the strongest Arsenal side we’ve seen under Mikel Arteta and this will be the best opportunity yet to make a run at the Premier League title.

A goalless draw at Atalanta last Thursday in their Champions League opener came after a remarkable double save from David Raya.

And after an EFL Cup tie against Bolton in midweek, the Gunners face Leicester City at the Emirates on Saturday (3pm).

The Foxes are yet to win a game in the Premier League this season following promotion, but do have draws against Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and have scored in every game so far.