This is my take on last night and recent developments.
I argued at the start of the season that we should (fans included) step up and show a bigger mentality, to get rid of that stupid 'typical city' syndrome, expecting the last minute goals to break our hearts again and again, hopes up to be shot down etc, whilst of course being honest and realistic about what we could and should achieve. My honesty was that we had assembled the squad to win the league. No bulshit. No bollocks. It was true then, and it's true now. As a result of that belief, I as a fan was prepared to put faith in the manager, to try and not be a fan which fans of other clubs thought 'he's alright this lad, down to earth, full of humour, can take the piss out of his own disfortune', when all that does in reality, is play to the 'I'm a loser tune'.
I have at times (at home) been sceptical of the approach, fearing Mancini was not putting the same faith and trust in his players which I were in him, however, I argued that my belief in Mancini's plan, was to generate a stronger mentality amongst the squad, to go into games knowing we won't get beat, knowing how not to get beat, to erase the significant ill discipline which has been at the heart of the club for years, to control the tempo of games more, to know how to see out games, and to erase the last minute goal syndrome (i.e. Utd this season). The truth is, Mancini has undertaken significant work in this department and it's clearly evident that we are not only stronger mentally both at home and away in terms of our perception as supporters, but other clubs, fans, journalists are seeing a completely different football club as a result. That has been Mancini's biggest contribution to date. As a result, I took on board the arguments that it would take time for players post-World Cup to settle, gel, but maintained that with the 5th place (nearly 4th) of last season, and with the players we had signed, we should aim above 4th and let that take care of itself.
However, in terms of last night, and all those having a pop at us, part of Mancini's plan is not to fulfil some moral ethical code about how football should be played, especially against a side who are built on playing a particular brand of fluent attacking football. I am a purist. The Kinkladze's, Berkovic's, Silva's certainly do more for me than the Dunne's, Pollock's and Milners. I like others was frustrated at watching it, whilst recognising the bigger picture. We appear to have become less cautious at home against the weaker sides, and have certainly stepped up the tempo away from home against those sides also.
But last night, and this seems to be forgotten by most journalists, was our first BIG game against an established top 4 club at a time where we are realistically in with a chance of going from finishing 5th last season, to winning the title this year. Anyone who still wants to play it down is hiding behind that old City mentality mentioned at the start. Other clubs/fans/journalists can say 'City cant win the league playing like that', ignore it, it's complete utter generalised vague shit.
Put it into context. We arent going to play like that against 95% of the league for the remainder of the season. We also aren't and this is the key point, going to have become in one season, a side who finished 5th, spent more money, and became a side who would go anywhere, i.e. Old Trafford, Emirates, and play completely open, dominante the game, create more chances and be favourites. That comes from being established either as a top CL side or champions. The media and other fans want us to throw too many punches and knock ourselves out. Yes we spent a lot of money, and that is why our squad is the best in the league, and why we should think of ourselves as title contenders, but in terms of mentality, and control, tactically, there is a place for us this season, in the bigger games away from home, to still make sure we don't get beat, because to get beat in those games, serves to undo the work mentally we have taken great strides in gaining.
That's not saying we didn't obtain luck, we did. Equally, had we had Silva fit, it would have given us significantly more fluency, penetration and posession on the counter attack.
I still believe there is a place in the side for Johnson before Jo. That is still my biggest criticism of Mancini, because I don't accept the argument, Jo is more disciplined defensively, or keeps the ball better. Johnson last night would still have allowed to adopt the same approach, but would have given them something to significantly worry about more than Jo.
So Arsenal can claim a moral victory. But in the real world, even the purist in me would acknowledge it isnt a victory at all. We were the real winners last night. A side who finished 5th last season, stayed 2nd, took a point off an established top 4 side, with established experience at having played in those type of games going into the second half of the season.
We are right in the mix now, and whatever happens, there will be a place for the type of football we all want to see at City, once the mentality is conditioned, which comes from not losing games. We are well on the way this season, for that already having now been conditioned.
Thats just my rather long opinion sorry.
