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London - Martin Demichelis scored an 83rd-minute equaliser as champions Manchester City held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
As it happened: Arsenal v Manchester City
Arsenal looked set for victory when Alexis Sanchez slammed home a sumptuous volley in the 74th minute, after Jack Wilshere's neatly constructed goal had cancelled out Sergio Aguero's first-half opener for City.
But Argentina centre-back Demichelis headed in an Aleksandar Kolarov corner to prevent Manuel Pellegrini's side from slumping to a second consecutive defeat after their shock 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City.
"I think it was a great game: two very good teams, which try to play. Both teams are very creative," City manager Pellegrini told BT Sport.
"But both goals by Arsenal were very clear fouls: the first one, two or three continuous fouls, and the second one, (Danny) Welbeck on Vincent (Kompany)."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger drew encouragement from the way his side came from behind to lead, but he was also given serious cause for concern by an ankle injury to right-back Mathieu Debuchy.
"It was a game of top quality and we did remarkably well to come back, but then we gave a cheap goal away," Wenger said.
"Debuchy has a bad ankle sprain. I don't know how long he will be out for, but it doesn't look too good."
Wenger handed a first start to Danny Welbeck and the £16 million former Manchester United striker saw an early chipped effort hit the post after he had raced clear.
City, who gave a debut to former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, made the breakthrough in the 28th minute when Aguero met Jesus Navas's carefully weighted low cross with a delicate near-post finish.
Wilshere equalised in the 63rd minute, gathering a pass from Aaron Ramsey, drifting past Gael Clichy, and lifting a cool right-foot shot over City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Eleven minutes later the England midfielder's header set up close-season signing Sanchez to crash an emphatic volley into the top-right corner from around 12 yards.
But after Debuchy had been stretchered off following an awkward landing that required him to be given oxygen, Demichelis met Kolarov's left-wing corner with a pinpoint header to bring City level.
City came closest to snatching victory, with Kolarov hitting the post, Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny seeing a misjudged clearance hit the frame of his own goal, and Wojciech Szczesny saving from Edin Dzeko.
