Manchester City's Champions League fate taken out of their hands after Arsenal draw

Manchester City have handed the advantage to rivals United in the race for Champions League football after twice surrendering the lead to draw 2-2 with Arsenal.

It had started well on Manuel Pellegrini’s final game in charge at the Ethiad Stadium, Sergio Aguero rifling a shot past Petr Cech. But the lead lasted less than two minutes, Olivier Giroud heading home a rare goal when left completely unmarked direct from a corner.

City reclaimed the advantage after the break, Kevin de Brunye beating Cech with a perfectly placed drive from distance. Yet again, the hosts were unable to capitalise on their advantage and a lovely exchange between Giroud and Alexis Sanchez saw the latter fire home.

With Tottenham having lost earlier in the day Arsenal could have gone joint-second on 70 points with a win, but instead the draw means that Arsene Wenger's men could yet be overtaken by both City and Manchester United. Arsenal are on 68 points, City 65 and United on 63 - though the Red Devils have a game in hand, to be played against West Ham on Tuesday night.

Arsenal host Aston Villa in their final game, City travel to Swansea and United play Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Spurs, meanwhile, need a point on the final day to secure second place, unless Arsenal can produce a 14-0 final day victory.

It’s up for grabs now. Arsenal have done old rivals Manchester United a huge favour. Two wins and the Red Devils will snatch a Champions League spot that looked so unlikely a month ago.

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal): Probably not the best player on the pitch but two vital contributions mean that Manchester United fans will be delighted that he had a rare good day at the office.

Man City: Hart 6, Sagna 6, Otamendi 5, Mangala 6, Clichy 6, Fernando 6, Fernandinho 7, Navas 6, De Bruyne 7, Iheanacho 6, Aguero 7. Subs: Toure 6, Sterling 6, Bony 7.

Arsenal: Cech 6, Bellerin 6, Gabriel 7, Koscielny 6, Monreal 6, Elneny 6, Ramsey 6, Welbeck 6, Iwobi 6, Alexis 7, Giroud 8. Subs: Coquelin 6, Wilshere 6, Walcott 6.

8’ – GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal: Fernando knocks it down to Aguero, who rifles a shot past Cech and into the bottom corner.

9’ – POST: It’s almost a comical own goal from Clichy, who heads back across Joe hart and onto the outside of the post.

10’ – GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal: Giroud heads Arsenal level, totally unmarked from the resultant corner.

20’ – WELBECK OFF INJURED: It’s a big concern for Arsenal and England as he gets up slowly and heads off down the tunnel with a grimace. Seems to be that troublesome knee.

51’ – GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal: a terrific individual effort from de Brunye, who arrows his shot into the corner of the net past Cech.

68’ – GOAL! Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal: Sanchez takes a lovely return from Giroud to plant his shot past Hart and draw Arsenal level.

88’ – CROSSBAR: a great effort from Bony, who clatters his volley onto the crossbar.

City drawing means that Tottenham Hotspur are assured of a top three finish in the PL and admission to the CL main competition next season. It will be their second participation in the competition, following 2010/11.

Manchester City have won only one of their 14 PL matches this season against teams currently in the top eight of the PL table (D4-L9). Only Aston Villa (0) have won fewer.

Olivier Giroud ends his scoring drought of 15 successive PL appearances. He last scored on 13 January at Liverpool.

Sergio Aguero becomes the first player to score in six consecutive PL appearances for Manchester City.