Arsenal stay top after comeback win

Arsenal came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The result, coupled with champions Manchester United's 1-0 defeat at Southampton earlier Sunday, left leaders Arsenal three points in front as Arsene Wenger's men made it four wins out of four.

Former Arsenal keeper David Seaman was involved in the Gunners' winner.

In his first match against his old side since his pre-season transfer from Highbury, City's ex-England number one Seaman failed to either gather or clear as France midfielder Robert Pires shinned the ball goalwards.

After the ball came back off Seaman's legs, Fredrik Ljungberg scored a 72nd minute winner.

Arsenal, who started Sunday ahead of United on goal difference only went 1-0 down to a 10th minute own goal from Cameroon defender Lauren.

But France striker Sylvain Wiltord levelled in the 48th minute.

City, who would have topped the table by a point if they had won, stayed in fourth place.

That was a realistic ambition when Lauren, admittedly pushed in the back by City's England midfielder Trevor Sinclair, put through his own net with a left foot shot that left Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann a spectator.

Referee Graham Poll let the goal stand and City were ahead in a way they could never have envisaged.

At the other end Seaman dealt comfortably with Pires's 20 yard shot midway through the opening period.

Lehmann too was forced into action when, just before the break, he saved well from former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka.

Arsenal almost went 2-0 behind early in the second half when Antoine Sibierski, another of the Frenchmen on show in this match, saw his sqaured pass to compatriot Anelka cut out by Cameroon centre back Kolo Toure, playing in place of the suspended Sol Campbell.

And not long afterwards Arsenal were level. Pires's precise pass found England full-back Ashley Cole, who had escaped the attention of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Cole's equally slick cutback found Wiltord who finished in equally accurate fashion to cap a neat move.

Lehmann then denied City with dive full length to turn away Anelka's 20 yard strike.

It was a key save and Arsenal capitalised with a well-taken winner. City's Australian international Danny Tiatto lost possession on on the left touchline. Ljungberg collected the loose ball and fed Thierry Henry whose flick on found France team-mate Pires.

Sun Jihai tried to hold off Pires and shepherd the ball through to Seaman. But the keeper, going at the ball with his legs rather than his hands, saw his tenativeness punished when Sweden midfuelder Ljungberg, who had continued his run, followed up to score.

City substitute striker Robbie Fowler headed over the top with virtually the last touch of the game and Arsenal hung on for victory.