Shaun Goater got his longest run-out of the season last night but was unable to come off the bench and save Manchester City from defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

Goater replaced Darren Huckerby at Highbury after 58 minutes with City 2-1 down, Sylvain Wiltord seeing his goal for the Gunners cancelled out by Nicolas Anelka only for Henry to put the home side ahead before the break.

Ten minutes from time Anelka came close to equalising but his shot rebounded off an Arsenal defender after Goater had put the Frenchman through.

City were reduced to ten men when Ali Benarbia was sent off for a second bookable offence after it appeared he had spoken to the assistant referee.

That decision prompted furious comments from City manager Kevin Keegan, who may face an FA censure as a result.

"The linesman was so biased it was frightening," Keegan said. "Players know that if they argue (with officials) they can get sent off and Ali had already been booked . . . but I understand why Ali did it.

"I do not think the linesman knew there was another team out there . . . I'll give him zero marks (out of ten) on his report because that's what I think he deserves.

"I'm being totally honest here . . . I thought you had to be fair to both sides (when you officiate) but that linesman must have had arthritis in one arm because the flag was always in the other.

"It annoyed me and now we will miss him (Benarbia) for a match - and we will miss him because he's one of our best players."

Benarbia faces a one-match suspension for the red card.

Keegan refused to blame the referee or officials for his team's defeat, however.

"We nearly produced a very good performance," he said. "We passed it well going forward but we gave it away too much in our own half.

"There are two ways to play Arsenal - either you shut up shop or you go at them. I think we were right to have a go and we could have got a point."

He singled out Anelka, signed for ?13 million from French First Division club Paris St Germain in June, for special praise.

"I thought he was outstanding," said Keegan, the former England manager. "He will be better when we get to know him better.

"Not to be unkind to Darren (Huckerby) or Shaun (Goater) but they can give him more help as forward partners in time."

Kyle Lightbourne is tipped for a starting berth tonight when Third Division Macclesfield look to upset Second Division Barnsley in the first round of the League Cup. The Bermudian is expected to line up alongside Matthew Tipton.