NEU » ril.Evans then bumped knees with Ken

Manchester Citys top-four hopes are hanging in the balance after Arsenal twice fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Super Sunday. City hopes dented by draw Manchester Citys Champions League chances are in doubt after a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Sergio Aguero gave Manuel Pellegrinis men a perfect start when he scored his eighth goal in six Premier League games after eight minutes, but Olivier Giroud headed Arsenals equaliser from a corner just two minutes later.Kevin de Bruyne put City back in front with a low drive shortly after half-time, but Alexis Sanchez pulled Arsenal level again midway through the second half as the Gunners claimed a valuable point. From Citys Champions League chances to Girouds improved performance for Arsenal, here are five talking points from the game…Manchester City at risk It was Manuel Pellegrinis final home game in charge of Manchester City Manchester Citys top-four hopes are out of their hands, and they are in real danger of starting Pep Guardiolas reign without Champions League football. Manchester Uniteds 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday left City needing three points against Arsenal, but they could now drop to fifth if Louis van Gaals side win their game in hand against West Ham on Tuesday.The home supporters at the Etihad showed their disappointment by leaving in their droves long before Pellegrinis leaving speech, and City only have themselves to blame for their current predicament. Its not just about today, its about results before today, said Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness. City were good today but if youre a City supporter watching that first half youre saying to yourself: Why are we not like that every week? City have the best players but week after week this season theyve gone out and not matched the opposition for effort. Thats why they are where they are.Welbeck injury hands Wilshere chance Jack Wilshere made only his second appearance of the season for Arsenal Arsenals Danny Welbeck looked disconsolate as he trudged down the tunnel after hurting his knee in the first half. The 25-year-old faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury ahead of Euro 2016, but his departure did at least open the door to his England team-mate Jack Wilshere.Following a brief cameo against Sunderland last month, this was only Wilsheres second appearance of the season after his return from injury. Recent reports have suggested his starring displays in Englands qualifying campaign will be enough to earn him a place in Roy Hodgsons 23-man squad for the Euros regardless of club form, but this was still an important step towards full fitness. Arsene Wenger admits he is worried about Danny Welbecks chances of making Euro 2016 Wilshere produced a typically tenacious performance as he joined Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsey in central midfield. There were occasional loose touches as he adjusted to the intensity of the encounter, but overall he acquitted himself well after such a long spell on the sidelines.The midfielder showed a willingness to run with the ball, contributed defensively with tackles and interceptions, and also provided sound distribution, with 25 of his 29 passes finding a team-mate - giving him the highest success rate of any Arsenal player.Cechs weakness? Petr Cech was beaten by Kevin de Bruynes long-range effort Petr Cech will not enjoy watching replays of Manchester Citys goals as he was beaten twice at his near post. The 33-year-old was not helped by the static defending in front of him, but De Bruynes strike exposed what appears to be a growing weakness from long-range shots.Only Stoke have conceded more goals from outside the box than Arsenal in the Premier League this season, and all 11 of them have come on Cechs watch. The first came from West Hams Mauro Zarate on the opening day of the campaign, and De Bruynes effort was reminiscent of Yannick Bolasies equaliser for Crystal Palace three weeks ago.It could have been a costly lapse for Arsenal, and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry was less than impressed. The ball goes through the legs of Gabriel but I think Petr Cech needs to do way better than he did, he said.Giroud ends his drought Giroud ended a run of 881 minutes without a Premier League goal While Cech endured an afternoon to forget in goal, there was a considerably improved display from the much-maligned Giroud at the other end of the pitch. The Frenchman ended a dismal run of 16 Premier League games without scoring when he rose to head home Elnenys corner, and his assist for Sanchezs strike was outstanding.The striker pinned Eliaquim Mangala as he received Sanchezs pass with his back to goal on the edge of the City box, and his deft flick allowed the onrushing Chilean to dispatch a clinical first-time finish beyond Joe Hart. Head boy Olivier Giroud has scored more headers (18) than any other Premier League player since his Arsenal debut in 2012. He had a great game today, his best for a while now, said Arsene Wenger in his post-match interview with Sky Sports. He was sharp, focused, and today we have seen the real Olivier Giroud. Its true that in recent games he did not have that sharpness, but goalscorers go through ups and downs and you never know when a striker will score or not.Citys defensive issues laid bare again Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho was disappointed not to beat Arsenal From a Manchester City perspective, Arsenals first goal was a defensive horror show. First, Gael Clichys ill-judged pass wrong-footed Hart and clipped his own post as it went out, then Mangalas woeful marking left Giroud to rise unchallenged and head home from the resulting corner.Mangala allowed Giroud to get the better of him again for Arsenals second goal, and Citys struggles at the back were typical of a campaign in which they have now conceded more goals (40) than in any of the last five seasons.Citys defensive issues were further exasperated by the news that captain Vincent Kompany could be facing four months out after he was forced off in their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, and a major defensive overhaul is likely to be Guardiolas first priority when he takes over in the summer. Also See: Pellegrini: Were not finished Welbeck in Euros injury scare Hector Moreno Mexico Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Jorge Torres Mexico Jersey . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/andres-guardado-mexico-jersey/ . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Carlos Pena Mexico Jersey .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Alejandro Palacios Mexico Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans is not expected to be available at the beginning of the 2016-17 regular season after having three right knee procedures in the span of nine months.Hes not going to be ready for the start of the season, Alvin Gentry said on The Lowe Post podcast. So thats hard. He wont be ready for the start of the season. Hes in a rehab situation. So, I think for us, weve just got to move forward with our season. And then if he comes back and hes able to help us, I think that just adds icing to the cake.After playing in a career-high 79 games in 2014-15, Evans underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May. The procedure was a debridement to remove loose particles, Pelicans trainer Duane Brooks told ESPN in April.Evans then bumped knees with Kendrick Perkins in preseason practice, causing a chhip in his right knee that required surgery in October.dddddddddddd.He returned Dec. 1, but persistent knee swelling -- despite the draining of fluid several times, per Brooks -- led to an osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS) procedure in February to replace cartilage in three areas of his knee, according to Brooks.Brooks said Evans has a history of bilateral knee cartilage wear and trace of fusion on both knees that dates back to before the 2013 sign-and-trade that brought him to New Orleans.The 26-year-old finished last season with averages of 15.2 points, 7.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 25 games. He has one year remaining on the four-year contract he signed with the Pelicans in 2013. ' ' '