Man City remain unconvincing title challengers

Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal has prompted faint title talk from the visitors’ camp, but their Emirates Stadium stalemate only exposed the enduring frailties that persist with Pep Guardiola’s side.

Twice City took the lead, through Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero, but twice they were pegged back as Arsenal equalised through Theo Walcott and Shkodran Mustafi.

While City can move within eight points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, their inability to kill off troubled Arsenal suggests Guardiola has his work cut out to cultivate a side that can mount a challenge for the title, let alone eclipse Chelsea this season. Defensively, City were regularly troubled by an Arsenal attacking unit that have themselves flattered to deceive in recent fixtures.

Guardiola praised stand-in right back Jesus Navas, who applied himself manfully despite the ominous prospect of a tussle with Alexis Sanchez, though the City winger’s cameo in defence only served to highlight the paucity of options.

Fit-again club captain Vincent Kompany remained on the bench despite being available and cut a frustrated figure watching his team mates toil defensively.

City have conceded 32 league goals this season — 11 more than second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, nine more than Chelsea — and the backline requires a significant overhaul this summer.

Guardiola has crafted a sleek offensive unit but, after a breathless opening 15 minutes at The Emirates, they appeared to ease off as their intensity levels dropped and they allowed Arsenal back into the match.

The draw leaves Arsenal sixth on 51 points, with 10 games to play, two behind Manchester United in fifth and seven adrift of Manchester City, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying position and have played a game more.