With Mikel Arteta isolating at home after testing positive for Covid, it was left to his first team coach Albert Stuivenberg to take the reins on the touchline, and the Dutchman came so close to overseeing a battling point against Manchester City.
The Gunners were well on top in the opening half, and looked to be on track for all three points before a City penalty and a red card for Gabriel in the space of a few minutes changed the complexion of the game.
The ten men of Arsenal rallied after that, only to be denied a point by a late Rodri goal.