Premier League: Arsenal 0 Manchester City 0

Arsenal wasted the chance to close the gap on leaders Manchester United after failing to break down Manchester City in a 0-0 draw.

Arsene Wenger’s side dominated at the Emirates and struck the post twice in a frantic first half which they dictated from start to finish.

But, even in the face of almost constant Arsenal pressure, second-place City somehow managed to hang on to claim a point.

Both sides finished the match with 10 men as full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna saw red for a confrontation in the second half that ended in a clash of heads.

Although Roberto Mancini’s side might be happier with the point, their cross-city rivals United will be the happiest. United stay two points clear of City and four points clear of Arsenal in the table.

Arsenal started with the fluidity which saw them sweep Birmingham aside 3-0 on New Year’s Day.

They should have scored within two minutes of kick-off after some brilliant work from Samir Nasri.

The Frenchman found Jack Wilshere inside the area but the youngster got caught in two minds with his angled shot flashing wide of the post and evading the onrushing Robin van Persie.

But Van Persie himself would go even closer six minutes later after wriggling free of former Gunner Kolo Toure on the edge of the area before drilling a low effort against Joe Hart’s post.

And the upright had barely stopped shaking when Cesc Fabregas struck it with a sliding effort from the edge of the box as Arsenal continued to dominate.

City, meanwhile, were operating mainly on the counter-attack and Carlos Tevez linked nicely with Jo but then fired his strike a yard over Lukasz Fabianski’s bar.

The first half belonged to Arsenal and they emerged from the interval still very much in control.

Van Persie drilled an effort just wide, nine minutes after the break. The Holland international then forced Hart into a flying save with a sizzling 25-yard strike.

But City managed to get to grips with Arsenal’s pressure and the home side were unable to find a way through.

The only real incident in the final 20 minutes of the match came between Zabaleta and Sagna, who were both dismissed for an altercation in stoppage time.