A total of eight points from twelve over the Christmas period, not a bad haul by any means and many of us would have taken that if offered it in advance. Chelsea were outplayed, a weakened side squandered points against Wigan, Birmingham were hammered and then finally City were outplayed, they escaped with a point thanks to far more luck than judgement.
I can't really fault the performance of the lads tonight. The same eleven started and they started well. Several great chances were created early doors. Wilshere shot across the face of goal and RVP couldn't quite reach it to tap it home, RVP struck the foot of the post with Hart nowhere, Wilshere then forced Hart into an excellent low save with a decently struck side footed effort. Our attacking play was mesmerising at times, Nasri, Cesc, RVP, Wilshere and Theo were combining to almost devastating effect.
Then the moment that summed up City's great fortune, Cesc struck the inside of the post with a firm shot from the edge of the box, Hart was again nowhere near it, Theo then followed it up, from a slightly acute angle he hit a ripper which cannoned off the inner aspect of the post and agonisingly across the goal.
The second half saw City defend resolutely and we created far less than in the first half, our best direct effort was from RVP and his twenty five yarder forced a top notch save from Hart when it seemed destined for the corner of the net. There was some neat build up work and some penetrating crosses, but the ball just didn't quite drop for us when it counted.
Sometimes one can play really well, create a lot, outplay the opposition and come away with just a point, this was one of those nights. We should take a lot of heart from the way that we pressed City so effectively as a team, we restricted them to so little and won so much of the loose scraps in the midfield. Wilshere and Song were the engine room, the work of our more attacking players should not go unnoticed too. The only black mark was Sagna's red card for some heady handbags with Zabaleta near the end that saw both men sent off.
We're only four points off United, we're in touch and they definitely have the harder fixtures to come. If we can keep our key men fit then we have a real chance of being top of the pile come May. The new look defence with Johan Djourou at its helm is starting to look solid and clean sheets on the trot is the end result. Come on you Gunners!
10 comments:
We played well tonight. But Citeh defended well. Credit to them. They were tough to break down.
But we had our opportunities. Just couldn't take them.
I would have liked to see Citeh try to play a bit more. But they got what they came for and we were unable to punish them.
One thing I'll remark on - RVP is a bit of a luxury player. Don't get me wrong, I like him and I think he is a quality player.
But I feel he slows our play down. And he comes deep for the ball, which is not suited to the player who is supposed to be leading the line.
Our formation doesn't suit RVP in that role. Everyone but the man that counts can see it.
And then to bring on Bendtner and play him out wide is a double mistake.
He should have been switched with RVP or we should have gone 4-4-2.
Shame about Sagna getting sent off. Really foolish mistake by him. He let him anger get the better of him. We could really miss him during his ban.
Could see that filthy money could not buy any trophy for mancini. Should have sent in Chamakh instead of Bendtner who slowed down the attack. Walcott should have stayed on. Sagna has been provoked and stepped on his ankle earlier on; been on the receiving end for sometime. Useless head-on; I would have punched the opponent's face - make the red card well worth it!
Rhinogooner:-
Your comment worries about the loss of Sagna (for his second sending off.....idiot ones both).
Two games of the three match suspension are leeds an ipswich. Both games he wasn't playing in if we r honest.
Other game is WHU.
lucky lucky mercenaries,, what ugly brand of football for so much money spent..... city fans must be so proud!! Goonerkam losangeles
just park your asses in front of goal, and hang on for dear life..... lol
Rhino
i dont think sagna's ban comes at a bad time given the games coming up
city relied on a lot of luck for their point today
disagree about rvp- had a good game for me again
Good performance, 4 points away and home from a team that is supposedly fighting for the title isnt bad. I just hope united drop some points and give us a chance to catch up.
Great blog by the way.
Have to agree with Gunnerblog, it was beautiful football and a pleasure to watch; all that was missing was a goal. I can believe how well Nasri and Cesc work together. Their ability to unlock defences, retain and ball and control their area of the pitch is amazing. Song and Wilshere also deserve a mention, the way they patrol and drive the team is great to see. Wilshere is an amazing talent and I just love his aggression, something I feel we have been missing since Vieira. City were very luck to grab a point! No shots on target shows just how far our defence and off the ball pressuring has improved. If we carry this form to Barca I think we can be quietly confident.
Sorry, I don't speak English very well.
Arsenal played an attractive football and can road to the Premiership's title.
Alexandre Song is a lion on the field.
jogadadefeito.blogspot.com
johan djourou was magnificent against chelski,and again superb last night.Surely must start every important game,hope he is not as fragile as ledley king...
Happy new year to you and all of your readers!
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