In what was a fixture of huge importance for both clubs, the performances of the two could hardly have been in sharper contrast. Arsenal weren't at their fluent best but were still in near total control for the majority of the 90 minutes as City struggled to create anything of note. They now seem a totally different side from the one that scored at will many months ago and their 8 point deficit to Man Utd will take a miracle to overturn. The talking point may will be Balotelli's showing, possibly his last in a city shirt.
The Gunners spent the first 20 minutes camped in City's half. The right sided combination of Sagna and Walcott benefitted from an uninterested Balotelli who left Clichy to defend on his own at times as crosses were flying in on a regular basis. City will consider themselves unlucky as they lost the influential Yaya Touré early on through injury, but then again Balotelli somehow escaped an early bath after a high tackle on Song. Swings and roundabouts then. Arsenal talisman, and City target, Van Persie came impossibly close to an opener as a goalbound header from a corner was blocked on to the bar by team-mate Vermaelen. There only seemed one team likely at the half way mark and the visitors will have been relieved to make it to half time level and with a full compliment of players, despite Balotelli getting a yellow for another late tackle.
It was more of the same in the 2nd period, City usually rely on Aguero to create something from nothing but he struggled to get into the game and was eventually subbed in the 83rd minute for compatriot Tevez. The home fans had earlier been chanting "Carlos Tevez, he plays when he wants", a moment of real quality from the supporters. RVP had once again headed against the woodwork from a trademark chip in from Alex Song and it looked like it just wouldn't be Arsenal's day as they continued to throw men forward, open to a City break away that never came. A succession of incredible misses from Walcott, Vermaelen and Benayoun, after more good work on the right flank, epitomised this lack of luck as the ball The Gunners midfield had bossed the centre of the park all day, picking up on loose passes out of City's defence all match and this was how Arsenal eventually got their winner. Arteta picked up Kolarov's hopeful pass and surged to within 25 yards before firing in to the bottom corner, prompting wild celebrations with the relief clear for all to see. I've always been a fan of Arteta, who had always stood out at Everton, and he's brought a lot to Arsenal since his deadline day move. He rarely loses possession and has a good shot on him, evident in the last couple of weeks. Balotelli's frustration boiled over in stoppage time as he transformed from petulant to truly idiotic, picking up his 2nd yellow for another pointless foul on Sagna. Even his most fervent supporters must be fed up with him by now and Mancini was fuming, later admitting he's unlikely to feature for City again, but then again we've all heard that before.
The result sees Arsenal leap frog Tottenham to 3rd place and the battle for 4th really is heating up, as Chelsea and Newcastle are also outside hopes. Only one half of Manchester will be celebrating tonight as Man Utd now find themselves 8 points clear with 6 to play, seemingly over given both clubs' recent form. The best picture from the game, and a must see for all, was Szczesny taking a swig from the beer a disgruntled City fan had thrown his way. Priceless.
No comments:
Post a Comment