LIVE BLOG END

Thank you for joining me today for a very exciting game between two of the Premier League's most entertaining teams.

Stay logged into Bleacher Report for analysis of both of today's big matches. I'll be back today with ratings for all of Arsenal's players.

Until next time, thank you for your company and have a great Sunday. I hope you'll join me again soon.

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Post-match

Manchester City keep pace with Manchester United, and do not fall further behind their cross-town rivals than they already are. Seven points separate the two teams.

Arsenal, meanwhile, fall further adrift of the top four, and pressure will mount on Arsene Wenger to sign at least one new player before the end of January.

A gap in class was evident, but City's first win at Arsenal in 23 years was not totally even.

Post-match

This would have been a more interesting game if Laurent Koscielny had not hauled down Edin Dzeko in the first quarter of an hour, but Manchester City had to take care of business and they did.

Arsenal put in a shift in the second half, but they never really had a chance down a man to the reigning champions. Jack Wilshere more than earned his pay and it's good to see Abou Diaby back, but the negatives will outweigh the positives for Arsenal.

FULL TIME

90+5'—One more minute to play now, as Arsenal will go down at home, but not without a fight. Very commendable second-half performance from the Gunners.

90+4'—Manchester City substitution

Aleksandr Kolarov comes on for David Silva to waste a bit of time.

90+2'—Virtuoso performance by Jack Wilshere, he's been everywhere today and is the heartbeat of this Arsenal side.

He plays a great ball to Gibbs, who crosses for Giroud, but the Frenchman's tame flick is easily saved by Joe Hart.

90+1'—Oh brilliant defending from Joleon Lescott! Theo Walcott was just about to celebrate a wonderfully worked goal by Lescott was in the right place at the right time and cleared it off the line.

90'—We'll have five minutes of stoppage time, but don't expect any miracles.

90'—

Balotelli on. Still plenty of time for another red card.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 13, 2013

89'—Manchester City substitution

Mario Balotelli relieves Edin Dzeko, and I'm just happy I get to see that lovely blonde hair on my television.

89'—Corner Arsenal, Olivier Giroud crashes into Joe Hart and City get a free-kick.

88'—Yet another foul on Jack Wilshere. This time it's Gareth Barry who commits the offense, and he will receive a yellow card. Wilshere limps off, but he doesn't look too injured.

Six yellows and two reds today from a referee who had only given one red all season.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

86'—Jack Wilshere has been fouled several times today, this time by David Silva. He takes the resulting free-kick, but Manchester City defend it extremely well.

Shout for handball against Gael Clichy, but the ball never went anywhere near his hands or arms, and he was helpless to prevent it, anyway.

Very much kick-and-run football from Arsenal, quite atypical.

83'—Mike Dean went to his pocket immediately after Kompany's challenge, and it certainly looked a dangerous one. I think the decision can be justified either way, but he did play the ball.

Arsenal come forward again.

80'—Certainly has a better chance than Koscielny:

I predict Kompany red card will be rescinded. Played ball. Never left ground. Not excessive force. Not likely to endanger opponent

— Ian Darke (@IanDarkeESPN) January 13, 2013

78'—Manchester City substitution

Joleon Lescott replaces Carlos Tevez to fill Kompany's void at center-back. No-brainer.

76'—RED CARD MANCHESTER CITY.

Vincent Kompany is off after a very tough challenge on Jack Wilshere. He went in with two feet, and while that may or may not have been a red, it was certainly very harsh.

Now Arsenal have the lifeline they needed, but they still need to capitalize.

74'—Oh what a chance for Arsenal! That was really their best of the game, and they absolutely cannot afford to waste them.

The free-kick was met about six yards out by Olivier Giroud's head, but he fizzed it over the bar when he needed to hit the target. That would have made things a bit interesting.

73'—Free-kick Arsenal on the right side, near the corner flag, as Gael Clichy is given a yellow card for a foul on Bacary Sagna.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

72'—Absolutely outstanding goalkeeping by Wojciech Szczesny.

Carlos Tevez raced into the box, had a one-on-one with Bacary Sagna closing him down, and Szczesny did just enough to nick the ball off the striker's feet and prevent the clinching goal.

Outstanding, that's what a world-class goalkeeper does.

70'—Outstanding header by Bacary Sagna to prevent Edin Dzeko from getting a shot on goal from point-blank range.

Dzeko has been involved in almost every battle for possession today, and he is whistled for a foul on Bacary Sagna in a 50-50.

Free-kick Arsenal near the halfway line.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

66'—Very commendable defending by Arsenal every time Manchester City go forward. Someone's always sticking out a leg or hurling themselves at the ball. No organization, just effort.

Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere puts a good free-kick into the box, Vincent Kompany does just enough to keep it away from Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla whips the knock-down over the bar.

65'—Don't expect any miracles.

65 - Man City have won 65 of the last 67 Premier League games they have lead by at least two goals in, drawing the other two. Comfortable.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 13, 2013

62'—Arsenal substitution

Aaron Ramsey relieves Abou Diaby, who deservedly gets a warm cheer from the crowd after a long spell on the sidelines.