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Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji (2nd-L) is fouled by Arsenal forward Kai Havertz during their Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Sunday. | X photo.

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji says Arsenal have become masters of the 鈥榙ark arts鈥� but is bullish over his team's Premier League title chances after a gripping 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The champions needed a John Stones equaliser deep into stoppage time to level against the 10-man Gunners in a full-blooded contest on Sunday.


That brought relief for City after a frustrating second period in which the visitors had sat back to protect a 2-1 lead earned before Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Pep Guardiola's unbeaten team, aiming for a fifth straight title, are top of the table on 13 points, two clear of Arsenal, who have also not lost yet this season.

The Gunners, runners-up for the past two seasons, did their best to disrupt and slow City, who totally dominated possession in the second half.

City forward Bernardo Silva accused Mikel Arteta's side of 鈥榯ime-wasting鈥� while Stones was also critical of the visitors' approach.

鈥榊ou can call it clever or dirty, whichever way you want to put it, but they break up the game which upsets the rhythm,鈥� he told the BBC.

When Switzerland international Akanji was asked if Arsenal had mastered the game's 鈥榙ark arts, he replied: 鈥榊es, I don't think there are many better than them at it.

鈥楤ut in the end we always won the title and I don't think it's going to be different this year.

鈥楢lways when we play against them, that's what they're looking for -- going hard in the duels, defence, 11 players in their own box and then go on set-pieces and try to score a goal.

鈥業t worked for them so if they're happy with the one point. We're not, we tried to get more but that's what they're happy with.

鈥楢t the end of the day we're still top of the league. We haven't lost a game yet.鈥�

City were quickly in front, with Erling Haaland scoring his 100th goal for the club in his 105th appearance.

Arsenal hit back with a superb equaliser from Riccardo Calafiori on his full debut, although it was not without controversy with Kyle Walker caught out of position moments after being summoned to speak to the referee.

Gabriel then headed Arteta's men in front from a corner but the tone of the game changed when Trossard received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after committing a foul.

Gunners defender Jurrien Timber told the club's website: 鈥業t felt like two hours of defending. It was hard but (would have been) all worth it if we'd have won it.

鈥楨ven with this draw we can be proud of ourselves. We're gutted, disappointed, but also proud of the team because we gave everything we could.鈥�