Manchester City’s top-four bid is no longer in their own hands as Alexis Sanchez’s equaliser spoiled Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini’s final home game.
Sergio Aguero fired City’s early opener into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
Gunners striker Olivier Giroud headed in the equaliser within two minutes, but Kevin de Bruyne’s solo effort restored City’s lead after the break
City substitute Wilfried Bony’s late volley thumped the crossbar, leaving the usually placid Pellegrini with his head in his hands.
Arsenal’s fightback means fourth-placed City could still miss out on the Champions League even if they beat Swansea in their final game.
Fifth-placed Manchester United, who have played a game less than their neighbours, will finish above City if they win both of their final two games.
Arsenal need a point at home to already relegated Aston Villa next weekend to clinch Champions League qualification for the 20th successive season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool remained eighth after they earned their first Premier League win in three games by beating Watford.
Joe Allen put the Reds in front as he guided in a Christian Benteke knock down after Philippe Coutinho’s cross.
Roberto Firmino added a second when he drove in a shot keeper Heurelho Gomes will be disappointed he did not save.
Watford’s most promising chances fell to Odion Ighalo but he failed to capitalise, with his best effort seeing him shoot into the side-netting.
Earlier, Steven Davis scored twice as Southampton came from behind to beat second-placed Tottenham.
Home forward Son Heung-min chased a lost cause for the opener, gliding past Fraser Forster and coolly tucking the ball into an open net.
The visitors equalised through Davis, who slotted in under Hugo Lloris following Dusan Tadic’s cut-back.
Spurs’s Jan Vertonghen had a header cleared off the line, before midfielder Davis stroked in the winner, reports the BBC.
EPL RESULTS
Man City 2 – 2 Arsenal
Liverpool 2 – 0 Watford
Spurs 1 – 2 southampton
