Kasper Schmeichel's heroics were not enough to preserve Manchester City's perfect record in the Premier League this season as Cesc Fabregas struck late to earn Arsenal a 1-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas found the top corner to become the first goalscorer against Sven-Goran Eriksson's City, who had which had won first three games.
It was particularly harsh on the imposing centre-back duo of Richard Dunne and Micah Richards, Richards' only mistake resulting in a penalty that Schmeichel saved from Robin van Persie.
And at the other end, Eriksson and his bench were up on their feet in the second half claiming a penalty when Kolo Toure flattened Michael Johnson, but Chris Foy waved play on, allowing Arsenal to take advantage.
The game developed into matter of Arsenal enjoying possession, with City looking to counter-attack and exploit Arsenal's makeshift defence.
Most of the time the Gunners faced the solid partnership of Richards and Dunne, so Van Persie tried his luck from long range and cleared the crossbar.
City chances in the first half were more convincing. Johnson burst through the Arsenal defence to set up Martin Petrov for an effort that went wide.
Emile Mpenza, in for the injured Valeri Bojinov, had an even better chances after Petrov sent him through but the striker made poor contact on his effort.
Elano had the best of the first-half chances for City but he barely tested Manuel Almunia with a shot from the area when he had team-mates waiting for a pass.
At the other end, goalkeeper Schmeichel required treatment after claiming the ball when Van Persie ran through. The Holland forward appeared to leave a boot in, but he also apologised as the goalkeeper was treated.
Richards has earned praise for his impressive start to the season, and his form continued as he threw everything to block Arsenal's attacks. Dunne did the same as the hosts looked to convert their possession into chances.
Adebayor had an early effort from the edge of the area deflected wide, while Rosicky found himself in a great position but Dunne again positioned himself well to block.
City then applied the pressure, firstly when Petrov flashed a shot wide of the far post after cutting in from the left and secondly, when Johnson was flattened by Toure in the area for no result.
Down the other end, it was a different story when Richards brought down Alexander Hleb in the area and the assistant referee instructed Foy to point to the spot. However, Schmeichel saved with his legs as Van Persie blasted down the middle, and he denied the striker again two minutes later with a long-range effort.
The City keeper then tipped Fabregas' powerful shot over the bar but the Spaniard was not to be denied with 10 minutes remaining.
The ball was fed to Hleb on the right before he slipped a pass to Fabregas who smashed into the roof of the net at the near post.
Schmeichel forced Almunia into a stoppage-time save when he raced up for a corner but Arsenal hung on to its narrow margin.
English Premiership League
Arsenal 1 (Fabregas 80)
Manchester City 0