In pictures - Arsenal v Manchester City

Arsenal start brightly and almost take the lead after just two minutes when Wilshere hits the ball across the six yard box but Van Persie just can't reach the ball to knock it into the open goal Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Arsenal continue to press and hit the post in the eighth minute. Then it's Walcott's turn to charge into the area with Jo having trouble keeping up with the Arsenal winger. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

With Arsenal having so much possession Tevez has to track back and tackle Van Persie in an effort to get the ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Walcott's pace once again causes more problems for the City defence, but he takes two too many touches which allows Zabeleta to get back and block the cross Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Just before the half hour mark Arsenal come within inches of opening the scoring, not once but twice. Nasri jinks forward before laying the ball off to Fabregas who hits a low drive which beats Hart but rattles against the post. The ball ricochets back across the area to Walcott whose drive crashes against the other post. The City goal is living a charmed life but not as charmed as this one Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Wilshere beats De Jong in the air Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Robin van Persie not only has the expectation of the Arsenal faithful on his shoulders but also the whole weight of Vincent Kompany Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Now it's Fabregas's turn to feel the weight of a Kompany challenge Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Another foul, but this time it's an Arsenal player who's the culprit - Koscielny grabs hold of Kolo Toure Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Walcott is still causing problems for Pablo Zabaleta Photograph: Tom Jenkins

It looks like it's not going to be Arsenal's night. On the hour the ball is played to Van Persie, who is 25 yards out, and he hits a screamer towards the top corner. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Joe Hart scampers to his right and then soars through the air and makes the save Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger doesn't look too happy either. No doubt the reason for that is that despite his team's positive performance and the number of chances they're creating, the score is still 0-0 Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Jo and Sagna do battle in the air Photograph: Tom Jenkins

What a stinker! City's negative tactics don't go down well with the crowd at the Emirates, and Mancini has to endure chants of 'Boring, boring City!' Photograph: Tom Jenkins

With just two minutes to go Zabaleta and Sagna go head to head - literally - on the touchline. The referee sends both players off Photograph: Tom Jenkins

After the final whistle goes, the City boss is on the pitch quicker than you can say 'What a depressingly negative performance and such a waste to have upwards of £140m worth of talent sit behind the ball and not really attempt to win the match' to let referee Jones know what he thinks of the decision to send off Zabeleta. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Once he's finished with the ref, Mancini decides to have a few words with the Arsenal captain. The game finishes 0-0, and the only people that'll be pleased with that are Sir Alex Ferguson and the red half of Manchester. Photograph: Tom Jenkins