Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal - Match Report
Manchester City were back to winning ways as they edged out Arsenal in a tight encounter that provided some excellent attacking football.
Manchester City were back to winning ways as they edged out Arsenal in a tight encounter that provided some excellent attacking football. David Silva got the only goal of the match, and the Sky Blues deserved their win, but Arsenal have come a very long way since their visit to Manchester early in the season, where they lost 8-2 to Manchester United. A long and rather unimpressive Sunday of Christmas football culminated in a much-anticipated face-off between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenals season, though first appearing disastrous, has actually picked up quite considerably. Theyre one of only two English clubs with a place in the Champions League, and although they sat in a relatively lowly 5th place at the start of the day, they are steadily improving after a poor start to the season. A win in todays game would be a huge middle finger to Arsene Wengers doubters, and what better time to face Roberto Mancinis Sky Blues? The league leaders finally ended their 14 match unbeaten run with a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Monday. Micah Richards started after missing Citys last two games with a calf injury. Suspended Gael Clichy was unable to face his former employers, but ex-Gunners Kolo Toure and Samir Nasri featured. Pablo Zabaleta was switched to left back, and the visitors were up against a foreboding strike force of Sergio Aguero playing just behind Mario Balotelli, the latter of who was involved in a training ground bust up with Micah Richards during the week. Arsenals only injury concerns are Jack Wilshere and and Kieran Gibbs, the latter of which should be back in action shortly. Robin van Persie was three off Alan Shearers record of goals in a calendar year, and although he is undoubtedly the main threat in Arsenals... Arsenal, he is but the focal point of a well put together team of youth and experience. Its worth noting that the Dutchmans goals are rarely individual efforts his job in the team is to score goals just as Wojciech Szczneys is to prevent them. There were 4 centre backs along the visitors back four, with Johan Djourou, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen. There are a few who dare compare Manchester City to Barcelona nowadays, Roberto Mancini chief among them. Obviously the Catalans dont crash out of the Champions League in the group stages too regularly so the comparison is limited at best, but there was evidence of the potential for Barca-esque football in the early stages of the match. Vincent Kompany slinked in and out of three Arsenal players, threaded it to Sergio Aguero who also beat a man before finding David Silva who ultimately gave possession away. A poor end to the move, but when you have eleven players who are genuine footballers, youre on to a winner. It was Sergio Aguero who had the best chance of the opening ten minutes. Pablo Zabaleta broke down the left, swung in a great cross that was well controlled by Aguero, but under pressure from Koscielny and Vermaelen, he blasted it considerably over from just inside the area. City may have captured the starry-eyed attention of the general British public, but you mustnt forget that the Gunners arent too bad at the old football malarkey themselves. Gervinho capped off a well worked move with a run and powerful low drive that Joe Hart did well to turn behind. The keeper wasnt home and dry then though as the resulting corner eventually found Aaron Ramsey whose well struck effort forced another low save from Hart. It was then Szczneys turn to shine. Balotelli managed to nick the ball away from Djourou and Mertesacker, turned and got a shot away from point blank range. The young Polish keeper was down smartly to make a terrific save. A looping header from van Persie dropped just over the bar on the half hour mark, but the game had died down a little. An unsurprisingly even affair, unless youre of the opinion that anything below a 4-0 win is a disappointing day at the office for the Sky Blues. Arsenal could actually have taken the lead a few minutes later. The ball ricocheted through to Ramsey in the City area and he was in a fair bit of space until Kolo Toure threw himself at the young midfielder, taking a bit of the ball in the process. A very poor touch from the Welshman he should have put the Gunners ahead. Gareth Barry responded to this spell of play by the gunners by kicking Mikel Arteta, picking up a yellow card for his catharsis. Szczney was called into action again as he was forced to deny Aguero. The nippy striker ran through the Gunners defence who parted like the red sea or the red and white sea more accurately. He then shot across goal but it was well saved by the Gunners keeper. Phil Dowd called time on the opening 45. Not a bad half of football chances for both sides and some good attacking play from two entertaining teams. Still, in all honesty who enjoys a 0-0? Bad news for Arsenal as rivals Tottenham recorded a 1-0 win over Sunderland, extending their point lead over the Gunners and indeed allowing them to leapfrog Chelsea, who could only manage a 1-1 draw with Wigan yesterday. HALF TIME Johan Djourou hobbled off in the opening minutes of the half to be replaced by last years Apprentice contender Vincent Disneur, now going by the name of Ignasi Miquel apparently. This prompted a reshuffle of the Gunners back four. Thomas Vermaelen undoubtedly Arsenals best centre back, moved into the centre, and Koscielny went to right back. Miquel came in on the left. He too is a centre back though Wenger didnt seem to have a single full back at his disposal. Manchester City made the breakthrough on the 53rd minute. Samir Nasri played a perfect ball to Mario Balotelli, who cut in from the left, beat Alex Song and got a powerful effort away that was well saved by Szczney. The ball bounced up to Aguero, who seemed to have miscued his header, but David Silva was there to tuck it away 1-0 City. It was hardly the delightful team goal a game such as this one warranted, but they all count. Theo Walcott almost levelled the scores instantly. He cut in from the right and unleashed a bending effort that was just about tipped over the bar by Joe Hart. Van Persie than showed his unrivalled finishing ability by executing a deft chip over Hart and into the ball of the net. It was ruled out for offside in the end a great move by the Gunners though with Gervinho in particular excelling. Maradonas son-in-law almost doubled Citys lead with a fantastic stinging effort that sped just past the base of Szczneys post if anyone was going to score; it looked like itd be the hosts. They should have done so too moments later but Samir Nasri overhit an easy square ball to Mario Balotelli, who would have had a tap in. Robin van Persie then had an effort, cut back by the brilliant Gervinho who was a constant threat down the left wing, the Dutchman fired it low across goal but Hart had a relatively easy save to make in the end. Sergio Aguero was looking threatening, but compatriot Pablo Zabaleta came the closest, firing in a fantastic effort from outside the area that absolutely cannoned back off the post, watched hopelessly by the stranded Szczney. What a game! The momentum was taken out of the match shortly afterwards by Phil Dowd who took it upon himself to stop the game at every possible opportunity. Mikel Arteta could arguably have been walking as he was booked for one challenge, and brought James Milner down seconds later. Dowd was reluctant to produce his second red card of the season. Micah Richards was involved in an attack from the hosts. He used frightening pace to break down the right before cutting it back to no-one in particular. It was eventually picked up by Aguero though who crossed it in for the right back, but he couldnt get it on target. Joe Hart, a contender for man of the match was on hand again to keep out a great effort from Thomas Vermaelen who struck it well from the edge of the area. The defender then had another even better effort from around 30 yards that curled inches wide of the post. Referee: Phil Dowd Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart, Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva, Yaya Toure (De Jong, 86), Barry, Nasri (Dzeko, 86), Balotelli (Milner, 73), Aguero Arsenal (4-3-3): Szczney, Djourou (Miquel, 47), Mertesacker (Chamakh, 82), Koscielny, Vermaelen, Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Walcott (Arshavin, 69), van Persie, Gervinho