Amid the thunder and fury, the deflation and the pride, came the hint of a smile. It was not an Arsenal victory, denied at the last by John Stones. But it was a point taken at the home of the champions, despite half a game played with 10 men.
On the pitch, Declan Rice urged sunken team-mates to rise and see the worth in their defiant, punctured stand. Arsenal now are unbeaten against Manchester City in three Premier League matches, having lost all of the previous 12.
