Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal

Highlights, Interviews and Analysis!




Gunners swamped by Blue tide

Arsenal's title hopes took another blow as they succumbed to a 2-4 defeat away to Manchester City.  Following two defeats in Manchester, Arsene Wenger can only look on in disbelief by the way they have failed to pick up any points after dominating both games.  City have sent out a real statement of intent following this surprising result.

5 Shots on Target, 4 Goals
Credit to City though, they were more clinical in front compared to the Gunners who had more than twice as many efforts.  Nevertheless, you have to place the blame on the Arsenal defence for horrendous defending.  Bellamy, Adebayor and Wright-Phillips were all allowed time and space to pick their spot.  With 8 goals conceded in 5 games, Wenger has a major problem to rectify at the back. 

Adebayor returns to haunt Gunners

Adebayor, who thoroughly deserved his MOTM award, was a menace to Arsenal everywhere.  Flying tackles, goallines clearances, riling up the Arsenal players and fans, Adebayor was at the centre of everything.  He even astonished everyone with an amazing dribble past 4 Arsenal players before squaring to a possibly equally astounded Wright-Phillips who shot wide with the goal gaping.  He has to be punished for his "malicious stamp" on Robin Van Persie though.  There is no way that can be accepted in the game.

4 Games, 2 Goals Conceded

City's miserly defence can be attributed to the stout defending of new City boy Joleon Lescott and former Gunner Kolo Toure.  Both of them had outstanding games with perfectly-timed tackles and blocks to deny Arsenal time and time again.  With the agile and excellent shot-stopper Shay Given manning the posts, City look pretty decent at the back.  They will face their sternest test yet next weekend at Old Trafford when they visit the champions.

Man City Verdict
City look very dangerous when they attack and bear in mind that this result was achieved in the absence of Carlos Tevez and Robinho.  Defensively they look solid but will they hold out against a rampant Manchester United?  Mark Hughes has done a brilliant job though in masterminding a win over Wenger and his boys. Citeh have passed their first major test of the season but their winning streak is on the line when they travel to Old Trafford next week.

Arsenal Verdict
Arsene Wenger must be disappointed to have come away from Manchester with nothing, yet incensed by the way his team have been giving goals away.  Arsenal always seem to struggle when they fall behind; something Wenger has yet to deal with all these years.  They lack that certain quality that seperates them from Manchester United - resilience.  Wenger has a lot of work to do to improve his team's defence and mentality if they are to recover from this double blow to their championship hopes.