Arsenal's already slim hopes of winning the Barclays Premier
League title have disappeared after a goalless draw with Manchester
City at the Emirates Stadium.
The
point, which left third-placed Arsenal seven points behind Manchester
United with only six available from their remaining two games, was of
more use to City.
Roberto Mancini's men are currently fifth and hope to overtake
Tottenham for fourth place and qualify for the Champions League next
season.
City's hopes of doing just that, which will hinge on a home game
with Tottenham next month, have been hit, however, by what appears to
be a serious injury to goalkeeper Shay Given.
The Republic of Ireland international was carried off on a stretcher in the second half after hurting a shoulder making a save.
Former Arsenal title winners Patrick Vieira and Kolo Toure were both in the City starting line-up.
Emmanuel Adebayor began on the bench, however, on his return to the
club he left acrimoniously before this season started, with the Togo
forward barracked by a large section of the Arsenal fans.
Adebayor angered Gunners' supporters earlier this season by running the length of the field to celebrate his goal in City's 4-2 win over Arsenal at Eastlands in September.
Robin van Persie was handed the Arsenal captaincy on his first start since suffering an ankle injury in November.
Bacary Sagna, the Arsenal defender, headed wide from an early corner but opening exchanges saw no clear chances.
Arsenal
winger Theo Walcott was dazed when Vincent Kompany's fair challenge saw
his head hit the turf, but he was soon able to recover.
City defender Wayne Bridge had already taken a knock and was replaced by Micah Richards just before the half hour mark.
Van Persie used his pace to get into a shooting position but Toure arrived just in time to block.
Arsenal forced a couple of corners as the first-half neared an end but the second saw Mikael Silvestre head harmlessly over.
Van
Persie headed a Nasri cross over as Arsenal began the second half
looking like they intended to change that sorry statistic.
On came Adebayor in the 51st minute to a hail of abuse after Vieira had been applauded off.
The
City striker had passed a pre-match fitness test on a thigh injury to
make the bench and was soon the subject of a robust challenge by Alex
Song.
Tomas Rosicky sent a drive from the edge of the box straight at Given, who hurt a shoulder tipping a Diaby drive round a post.
The
Irishman needed lengthy treatment and was eventually replaced by rookie
Gunnar Nielsen, the Faroe Islands international, who was making his
City and Premier League debut.
Nielsen was far busier in the
closing minutes than Given had been all game but kept his composure to
ensure City went back to the north-west with a valuable point.