Another 2 points dropped at home after Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennesey kept his side in the game with a string of outstanding saves.
Positives: Gervinho, who has looked fairly average at times this season, managed to bag a goal which will no doubt boost his confidence endlessly. We were also full of zest going forward and on another day, would have walked away with the three points easily.
Negatives: Football is a game of points and after dropping two of them at home to Fulham a few weeks ago, it was disappointing to drop more here against a side we should be dispatching easily.
Conclusion: The battle for fourth intensifies after this result and though we have been in great recent form, Wenger will want to make sure complacency isn't creeping in. The continuous injuries to full-backs may see the Frenchman dip into the January transfer market for a short term solution.
In a game where the 20,000th Premier League goal was scored, Yossi Benayoun's vital late header snatched an almost champion-like three points.
Positives: Aston Villa played out of their skins and on what was a tough night at Villa Park, walking away with the three points was key. It was the kind of result we would have found hard to graft out in years gone by and Wenger was left delighted with sub Benayoun's late impact, grabbing the win just three minutes from time.
Negatives: At times, it was hard to know which way the game would swing and after poor work from Mertesacker to allow Marc Albrighton in for the equaliser, we were under the cosh for a while until securing our late winner.
Conclusion: It's 25 points from 30 now and to grab a victory tonight was really crucial.
"The result showed the importance of the squad but also the quality of the spirit,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “That makes a difference if you have players who come on that have a real desire to help the team. You always have a chance because teams have to fight so hard against us that in the last 20 minutes fresh players can have a big impact. Benayoun and Rosicky did and that’s why we were very grateful after the game.”
Our toughest game of the season so far ended in a valiant defeat. It was a game we dominated for large periods.
Positives: After such an abysmal start to the season, not many would have imagined we could compete with the table topping Manchester City jugonaut in the way we did. Yet in all truth, we were more than a match for the champions-elect and should have equalised late on through two wonderful Thomas Vermaelen efforts.
Negatives: A defeat is a defeat and after tonight, the table toppers have edged 12 points clear of us. That extra bit of quality eventually told as Balotelli left Koscielny tangled and out of position and David Silva poked home.
Conclusion: Despite losing here at the Etihad, our performance was great and on another night, would have warranted the three points. It's important we bounce back from this and carry on piling up those points and continue moving up the table.
Robin Van Persie's stunning volley 14 minutes from time gave us another three points as a valiant Everton side were dispatched on the anniversary of the club's 125th birthday.
Positives: It was a great team effort once more. From the back and the solidarity Szcesczny is beginning to spread throughout the team at such a young age. Through to the make shift back line of centre-backs, the wonderfully creative Alex Song in midfield, and of course the irrespresible Robin Van Persie leading our line like nobody we've ever seen before (bar perhaps Thierry Henry) - It was fitting that on our 125th anniversary, one of our current legends was the man to provide the moment of brilliance. A superb volley that not only won us the game, but meant that the Dutchman is now only 2 goals behind Alan Shearer (36) for record league goals in a calendar year.
Negatives: At times, it was hard to break Everton down. The Toffees packed the midfield with a resilient attitude and at times, it looked as though we missed our old creative talents, Fabregas and Nasri.
Conclusion: It's 22 points from 24 now and 15 goals in his first 15 league games of this season for RVP. On a weekend when Man City and Tottenham both lost, our race for that fourth place slot is looking more and more handsome each week.
Olympiakos ran out deserved winners in Greece as our second string succumbed to a deserved defeat in Athens.
Positives: There were no real positives during a woeful performance, but with Champions League qualification already assured as group winners, it didn't really matter. The experience would have done the young players the world of good whilst Benayoun's goal was superbly taken.
Negatives: There was no real conviciton from senior players like Arshavin and Chamakh during our second defeat at Olympiakos in two years. Fabianski's injury leaves us with no senior back-up to Szcesczny whilst Mannone's flap at the the second goal was Non-League worthy.
Conclusion: With qualification secured, this result never fully mattered, though Wenger will be disappointed with the way his side surrended so easily.
After some terrific play from our youngsters, it was a cruel late breakaway from Sergio Aguero that ruptured our Carling Cup hopes at the Quarter Final stage.
Positives: This competition has always been a stepping stone for Arsene to blood fresh faces and tonight was no different. The way the Arsenal kids dominated a Man City starting eleven worth a combined £117m showed some great signs for the future and don't be suprised to see the likes of Ignasi Miguel, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Emmanuel Frimpong as regular starters for the first team anytime soon.
Negatives: One more chance of silverware has again elapsed from our grasp for another season - a trophy some say was our best shot at winning. And the players will have to learn that for all their domination, against quality opposition like Man City, you can be punished with just one chance.
Conclusion: A cruel counter-attack 6 minutes from time has dispersed our Carling Cup hopes for another year but Wenger will take more positives than negatives from this performance with the likes of Yossi Benayoun and Francis Coquelin now banging very loudly on his door for a starting berth.
Our recent surge of Premier League victories came to an abrupt end against a well drilled Fulham side as Thomas Vermaelen scored at both ends.
Positives: Another 90 minutes, and another game undefeated. We always looked dangerous and on this occasion, it just have been a case of midweek Champions League action taking a chunk of fatigue out of the players. Vermaelen was highly unlucky with his deflected own goal and on another day, things could have been very different.
Negatives: Two points dropped at home against a side we really should be beating if we are to maintain our surge towards the top 4. Arshavin, starting his first Premiership game since Swansea in September, looked anonymous once more, whilst Djourou looked flat-footed at right-back, stepping in for the impressive Laurent Koscielny.
Conclusion: Such is the quality of all opposition in the Premier League, you can't expect to win every game and today that was the case. Fulham looked strong, but more importantly we have kept our two month long unbeaten run in stead and still look in a great position to gatecrash that top four finish.
With a recent resurgence in form, many pundits are asking if Arsene Wenger;s doubters were wrong. Has the Frenchman found the formula to keep his side competing with the very best? With that in mind, it's time to take a look at a half-century of great Gunners goals since Wenger's arrival at the club in 1996...
50) Kanu Vs. Deportivo La Coruna (2000)
A clever finish here from Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu in this 2000 UEFA Cup clash, showing clever feet to trick fellow African, Deportivo goalkeeper Jacques Songo.
49) Robert Pires Vs. Liverpool (2003)
A stunning curled finish from French winger Robert Pires here at Anfield as the Gunners came from behind to seal victory during their unbeaten season.
48) Sylvain Wiltord Vs. Manchester United (2002)
Not so much a great goal in terms of quality, but one that will hold deep sentimental meaning to many Arsenal fans after Wiltord's goal sealed the Premier League title in their fierce rival's very own back yard.
47) Marc Overmars Vs. Manchester United (1998)
Equally important to Arsenal's title charge was this Marc Overmars goal in 1998. The Dutchman, who had terrorised Gary Neville all game, finally put this effort away to see the title pendulum swing in Arsenal's favour. They never looked back and went on to seal a Premiership and FA Cup double.
46) Emmanuel Adebayor Vs. Vilarreal (2009)
After going a goal down to a Marcos Senna stunner, an away goal would have been a crucial factor to take back to the Emirates. Cue Emmanuel Adebayor and a superb overhead finish from captain Cesc Fabregas' lofted pass.
45) Cesc Fabregas Vs. AC Milan (2008)
With the scores locked at 0-0 and this 2008 Champions League clash at the tie headed for extra-time, a moment of inspiration was needed. Step forward Cesc Fabregas whose rasping shot secured an away goal for Arsenal and effectively sealed an historic victory at the San Siro.
44) Thierry Henry Vs. Liverpool (2007)
In an FA Cup tie of stunning goals, it was Thierry Henry who had the final say with this clever run and finish, demonstrating how no other player could match him for raw pace and acceleration.
43) Emmanuel Adebayor Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (2007)
Arguarbly the greatest goal in North London derbies over recent years, here we see Togolese striker Adebayor flicking up Cesc Fabregas' pass and hammering the ball past Paul Robinson with a spinning volley.
42) Ashley Cole Vs. Aston Villa (2005)
Just days after his "tapping up" row with Chelsea, former Gunners left-back demonstrated his commitment to the club (in the short term at least) with this fantastic team move at Villa Park. Watch out for Dennis Bergkamp's perfectly weighted assist.
41) Thierry Henry Vs. West Ham United (2002)
A goal similiar to Adebayor's at White Hart Lane, here we see club legend Thierry Henry flicking up a neat pass before turning past the defender and hammering home past the helpless David James as the Gunners salvaged a 2-2 draw at West Ham to keep their unbeaten run going.
40) Carlos Vela Vs. Sheffield United (2008)
When Arsenal's Carling Cup youngsters demolished Sheffield United 6-0 in this home tie, critics were falling over themselves with superlatives to describe Wenger's latest crop of talent. The pick of the bunch this cheeky chip from Mexican Carlos Vela.
39) Tomas Rosicky Vs. Liverpool (2007)
A superb team move now as Tomas Rosicky curls a superb effort past Jerzy Dudek in this FA Cup tie at Anfield in 2007 following some neat work with Aleksandr Hleb.
38) Emmanuel Adebayor Vs. Liverpool (2008)
Liverpool were again the victims of a fantastic Arsenal move here as Theo Walcott's dazzling run set up Adebayor for a goal, that at the time, sealed the club's path to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League.
37) Thierry Henry Vs. Chelsea (2003)
With a Zinedine Zidane-esque roulette spin here past Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who else could pull this sort of goal other than French maverick Thierry Henry?
36) Robert Pires Vs. Southampton (2003)
With both sides set to meet in the 2003 FA Cup Final just a matter of days later, Arsenal and Southampton met here at Highbury in the final home game of the 2002/03 season. This 40 yard chip is a real bobby dazzler from Bobi Pires.
35) Silvinho Vs. Chelsea (2000)
2-0 down with ten minutes to play at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal managed to rescue a draw in this one, the equalizer courtesy of a stoppage time screamer from Brazilian left-back Silvinho.
34) Patrick Vieira Vs. Newcastle United (1998)
Charging forward in their title pursuit, Patrick Vieira goes charging forward here too as he nets a belter at home to Newcastle at the tail-end of the 1997/98 season.
33) Jose Antonio Reyes Vs. Chelsea (2004)
With Thierry Henry out injured, Arsenal had fallen behind to an Adrian Mutu goal in this tie, and their FA Cup future was looking gloomy. With no out-and-out goalscorer on the field, step up new signing Jose Antonio Reyes, who in only his 2nd game for the club, smashed home from 25 yards before adding a second minutes later to seal victory.
32) Patrick Vieira Vs. Manchester United (1997)
It's that man Vieira again with yet another cracker at Highbury. This time a swinging strike past Peter Schmeichel in the Manchester United goal here in Autumn 1997.
31) Thierry Henry Vs. Manchester United (2004)
And the wonder strikes against United just kept on coming as yet another Frenchman smashed a superb effort past them here at Highbury. This time in 2004 as Thierry Henry drives home a swerving effort past Roy Carroll.
30) Andrey Arshavin Vs. Liverpool (2009)
In a game where the little Russian scored an incredible FOUR goals at Anfield, it's his strike from 25 yard that really caught the attention of Arsenal fans, lofting the ball past Pepe Reina with no backlift.
29) Thierry Henry Vs. Blackburn Rovers (2007)
Picking up the ball in his own half, Henry exhanges passes here with Cesc Fabregas before embarking on a mazy touchline run before cutting inside and curling a breath-taking shot past the helpless Brad Friedel.
28) Robin van Persie Vs. Liverpool (2008)
A true moment of magic now from Dutchman Robin van Persie as he control an aerial pass with one touch, turning his marker, before slamming home at home to Liverpool in late 2008.
27) Davor Suker Vs. Sunderland (1999)
During an ill-fated solitary season at Highbury, Croatian goal machine showed flashes of brilliance. None more so than here against Sunderland with a neat flick over Thomas Sorensen in the Black Cats' goal.
26) Nigel Winterburn Vs. Chelsea (1997)
It would seem Silvinho isn't the only Arsenal left-back capable of a last minute cracker at Stamford Bridge! Check out this Nigel Winterburn effort as the Englishman bounds forward before crashing a thunderbolt into the top corner!
25) Kanu Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1999)
Strength, technique, finesse. This goal has it all as Kanu flicks the ball past his marker before slamming home in this North London derby.
24) Thierry Henry Vs. Charlton Atheltic (2004)
Showing that he isn't all about agility and technique here, Thierry Henry shows incredible strength to hold off Jonathan Fortune before backheeling the ball home for a very cheeky finish indeed.
23) Ray Parlour Vs. Chelsea (2002)
In the 2002 FA Cup Final with Arsenal chasing a uniqie domestic double, something special was needed to break the deadlock. Up stepped Ray Parlour with a fantastic 25 yard curler.
22) Samir Nasri Vs. Manchester United (2008)
In a team move reminiscent of anything Barcelona based, Samir Nasri slams home this effort against Manchester United in a 2-1 victory back in 2008.
21) Andrey Arshavin Vs. Manchester United (2009)
And it's Manchester United who were again on the wrong end of an Arsenal thunderbolt here as Andrey Arshavin bangs a superbly drilled effort past Ben Foster from long range.
20) Andrey Arshavin Vs. Blackburn Rovers (2009)
And Arshavin again shows here just why he's Arsenal's all-time record signing at £15m with a unique individual goal and stunning finish from a tight angle at home to Blackburn in the 2008/09 Premiership.
19) Tomas Rosicky Vs. Hamburg (2006)
A summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, Tomas Rosicky obviously enjoyed his return to Germany in this fixture back in 2006, smashing home a rasping effort in this Champions League clash.
18) Frederik Ljungberg Vs. Juventus (2001)
Though Ljungberg must be credited for the neatly chipped finish over Gigi Buffon in this goal, it is the build-up play of Dutch master Dennis Bergkamp that must really be admired, rolling the ball around on the edge of the Juventus box before waiting for his Swedish compatriot to arrive, and slipping through the most perfect of through balls into the midfielder's path.
Another 2 points dropped at home after Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennesey kept his side in the game with a string of outstanding saves.
