The top two from the last two Premier League seasons treated viewers to a pulsating 2-2 draw with John Stones netting a 98th minute equaliser for the hosts.
Erling Haaland had given the champions the lead before goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel turned the game around in the first half.
Leandro Trossard was sent off after receiving a second yellow for kicking the ball away but the Gunners almost held on to claim all three points.
It was a game of many heated moments with Haaland seen purposefully throwing the ball at the back of Gabriel's head as his side celebrated Stones' late strike.
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has issued a warning to title rivals Manchester City
The pair then squared up to each other after shortly after the restart when Haaland went clattering into Thomas Partey.
However, Gabriel insists he was unfazed by the ball throw itself, so much so that he didn't even recall it.
Asked about the incident afterwards, Gabriel said: 'I don't even remember this [Haaland's throw].
'It's normal, they were happy after scoring in the last minute. They were playing at home, so their duty was to win the match, but our team did really well to resist.'
The Brazilian also told City they better be ready for the return fixture at the Emirates stadium.
He added: 'It's a battle, a war, so it's normal to have provocative acts in football, it's part of the game. Now this is over and we are waiting for them at our ground.'
VAR reviewed the incident with Haaland and Gabriel and deemed that no action was necessary at the time, and now it is understood the Norwegian will not face any retrospective punishment either.
The forward was also involved in confrontations with Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus after the final whistle as tensions continued to rise between the two clubs.