Arzani, who was stretchered off the park with cramp in his last outing, continues to terrorise defences and Brattan said he expected the playmaker to be on the move soon.

"Look he's 19, he's got a long way to go, he's got a lot to learn - I think that's the longest he's lasted without cramping," Brattan told Fox Sports post match.

"But he's a great kid, a fantastic talent and I've been saying it siince I've been at City...I don't think he's going to be here a long time.

"But he's got to keep his feet on the ground and listen to people."

The draw at Coopers Stadium was not the result either team needed.

With the rest of the round still to play City (3rd) and Adelaide (5th) remain vulnerable to the chasing pack.

Returning Reds winger Johan Absalonsen opened the scoring in first half stoppage time before Stefan Mauk struck home the equaliser against his former club on 53 minutes.

But it was City, coming off three straight losses, who were left to rue a missed opportunity from the penalty spot on the half-hour.

Adelaide custodian Paul Izzo, at full stretch, denied striker Bruno Fornaroli in what would prove a crucial moment in the game's wash-up.

Former Golden Boot, Fornaroli, had the ball in the back of the net on 78 minutes only to have the goal disallowed for offside.

"I think we were in control the whole time and they got in our box once and scored from it," a dejected Brattan said. 

"But I think we played pretty well, we moved the ball like we can and created a lot of chances.

"When players are in their right starting positions we can cut through teams very easily with the players we've got.

"It's good to play well again but like I said it's points dropped."

Brattan had nothing but praise for Fornaroli despite the saved penalty, decribing the Uruguayan as fanastic. 

"I think he's shown everyone what he can do," Brattan added.

"He's a good target man and he's very dangerous in the box. It's going to take him a while to get back to where he was but it's it's great to have him back."

But the 28-year-old was more circumspect about his own performances after being snubbed for the Socceroos upcoming World Cup warm-ups.

"It is what it is," he said.

"It's disappointing I'm not there but I think I've got to be better anyway. Play better consistently, week in and week out."