City Vs Arsenal post Game Discussion thread

[gooner6729]

Superb game,but we deserved something out of it.Overall you could see City have a better squad of players than us, but I'm proud we have a manager who doesn't sacrifice his footballing principles. Makes you wonder what Wenger could do with the best part of a billion quid. I wonder if Mancini feels a little embarrassed for parking the bus at Arsenal back in January after watching that.

I don't like the Chelski/City sugardaddy phenomenon,but fair play to City for at least buying success with a dash of style.Its less offensive than the ugly,snarling and defensive football Chelski played to grind out their titles. Best footballing side in the Premiership bar none.

It will be interesting to see what the footballing landscape looks like in 10 years.

 

[AdamoTheGreat]

goal.com

Manchester City
Joe Hart
7.5
The England keeper was typically vocal throughout and did well when called upon. Got down well for Gervinho's first-half snap shot but was given a relatively comfortable afternoon. Pulled off a fine injury-time save to deny Vermaelen and secure the points.

Micah Richards
7.0
Returned to the City line-up after missing his side's visit to Stamford Bridge with a calf injury and didn't show any signs of rustiness and played in Balotelli with an excellent cross after powering down the right.

Vincent Kompany
7.5
Looked sharp from the off, beating Walcott for pace on the seventh minute with the England winger threatening down the left. Simply didn't put a foot wrong at the Etihad.

Pablo Zabaleta
7.5
The 26-year-old switched flanks after starting at right-back in City's loss to Chelsea and started superbly, delivering an inch perfect ball to Aguero, only for the striker to blaze over from a matter of yards. Hit the post with an unstoppable effort and always looked dangerous.

Kolo Toure2225
6.5
Came up against his former club and kept it neat and tidy alongside the more dynamic Kompany. Did lunge in with one clumsy tackle in the area but just about won the ball. Did his chances of a regular first-team spot no harm at all.

Gareth Barry
7.5
Dictated the game in the early exchanges, starting a couple of City counter-attacks after breaking up the visitors' play. Faultless distribution by the 30-year-old, though he was backed for a poor tackle from behind on Arteta.

Samir Nasri
7.5
Faced a torrent of abuse from his former fans throughout the afternoon but appeared unaffected, causing Mertesacker and Djourou all sorts of problems with some confident forays down the left wing. Could have doubled his side's lead shortly after the opener but elected to pass the ball rather than shoot and wasted the chance. Subbed off late on.

David Silva
7.5
Was described as a star by compatriot and counterpart Mikel Arteta in the build-up to the clash and fulfilled the description yet again. Maintained possession, probed the Arsenal back-line and was in the right place at the right time to convert City's opener from no distance. A class act, yet again.

Yaya Touré
6.5
Wasted a fine opportunity on the half hour mark by electing to chip a ball through to his striker's when he had plenty of options out wide. Otherwise it was a typically powerful showing from the Ivorian, with some direct running through the middle. Replaced by De Jong with five minutes remaining.

Kun Agüero
6.5
The former Atletico Madrid man was wasteful early on, smashing a half volley over from close range before hesitating in front of Szczesny. Saw a rasping left-footed effort fly wide on the hour mark. A fine performance but just not quite Aguero's day in front of goal.

Mario BalotelliTop of the Match
8.0
Was in the mood from the opening minute and set up Aguero with a superb through ball on the 10th. Was denied from a couple of yards out by the alert Szczesny after controlling the ball and getting a shot away in one movement. Got the shot away that led to City's goal and possibly deserved one himself.

• Substitutions
James Milner
6.0
Replaced Balotelli with just over a quarter of an hour remaining and kept City ticking along with some neat passing.

Nigel De Jong
N/A
Came on with five minutes to go and helped City tighten up in midfield.

Edin Dzeko
N/A
Made a cameo appearance late on but didn't have enough time to shine for the hosts.

Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny
7.0
The young Pole exuded confidence early on, pulling off a cheeky flick after four minutes with Balotelli closing him down and frustrated the Italian again 20 minutes later after getting down sharply to block his point-blank effort. Could do little about City's opener.

Per Mertesacker
5.5
Didn't really convince on the right side of the defence as the hosts broke down the left flank at will when Djourou moved upfield. Couldn't keep up with the home side's pace and went to ground far too often.

Thomas Vermaelen
6.5
The Belgium international was solid but rarely ventured forward with any great vigour as the Gunners looked short on options down the left wing. Did well against Richards but looked more comfortable after moving in-field following Miquel's introduction and pulled a fine save out of Hart late on and hit another fine effort wide.

Laurent Koscielny
6.5
Was hesitant in an early tackle on Aguero early in the game but grew into the game and worked hard to quell the threat of Balotelli and Aguero. Got caught too high up-field for Silva's goal but was otherwise very solid.

Johan Djourou
6.0
Left Mertesacker isolated with some breaks forward but worked hard in tracking back. Looked to be moving a little cautiously shortly after the break and was swiftly replaced by Miquel.

Mikel Arteta
6.5
Sat fairly deep in the opening 20 minutes and looked to be the catalyst for Arsenal's movement going forward. Showed some classy touches but lacked the dynamism required to push his side forward.

Aaron Ramsey
6.0
Kept hold of the ball and spread the play to the flanks when required in the first half but struggled to gain a foothold in the second. A methodical midfield display from the young Welshman.

Alexandre SongFlop of the Match
5.0
Possibly should have been booked early on after bringing down a galloping Richards and was caught in possession on the 22nd minute in a move that nearly led to a City goal. Let Balotelli past far too easily for City's opener on a disappointing day for the hitherto in-form midfielder.

Robin van Persie
6.0
David Silva may have insisted that his side weren’t obsessed with the Dutchman but he was near enough marked out of the game for the opening 45 minutes. Struggled for goalmouth action and was called for offside when he did eventually put the ball in the net early in the second half. Worked hard but struggled for service.

Theo Walcott
5.5
Looked to get on the ball early on but was left frustrated by the powerful Kompany. Appeared low on confidence for much of the game and gave the ball away on numerous occasions. Subbed off with 20 minutes remaining after a disappointing display.

Gervinho
6.5
Made some dangerous early runs and got a good shot away shortly after the quarter hour mark. Constantly looked to turn defence into attack with some breaks down the left but was often let down by his end product. A tireless effort.

• Substitutions
Ignasi Miquel
6.5
Replaced Djourou shortly after half-time and slotted in at left-back. Never looked fazed as the home side ploughed forward and positioned himself intelligently.

Andrey Arshavin
6.0
Came on for Walcott in the second half but did little to inspire his side off the bench.

Marouane Chamakh
N/A
Brought on with nine minutes remaining as the visitors chased an equaliser but added little threat.

 

[LoveCity]

Ogden is a stonewall rag, ignore his reports.

 

[AdamoTheGreat]

i think the goal.com ratings are a little more agreeable...

 

[kenzie115]

Today was one of the most enjoyable games of the season for me. Over the past couple of years we've developed quite a rivalry with Arsenal so I always look forward to the games anyway but after losing at Chelsea I knew we really needed to win today. I was happy with the way we started the game, a nice quick tempo and we didn't give them time on the ball, Balotelli and Aguero's closing down up front was excellent.

We had plenty of chances, the best falling to Aguero, who has missed a few easy ones this year. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet, play tends to slow down when he gets the ball, but his contribution so far this season has been great so we'll have one hell of a player once he's settled properly.

There were lots of tough tackles which always get the crowd going, and the referee's performance was as inconsistent as they come which means both sets of fans get on his back and this just adds to the atmosphere. I thought Nasri and Kolo were excellent against their old club but the stand out performers for me were as follows:

Gareth Barry - Covered every blade of grass as usual, would like to see some stats regarding the picking up of second balls, he's always in the right place at the right time and his distribution has improved this season, another wonderful midfield performance.

Vincent Kompany - Back to his brilliant, commanding best. Bullied almost every Arsenal player at some point during the game and showed fantastic ability on the ball to get out of some tight positions.

Joe Hart - Made some fantastic saves once again, the stop from Van Persie when he was offside was incredible.

Pablo Zabaleta - Absolutely immense, Walcott might as well have stayed at home, Zabba didn't give him an inch. Clichy's suspension was a blessing in disguise, I'm so proud to have him in our squad, the ultimate professional.

 

[80s Shorts]

Re: Credit to arsenal

you do talk bollocks. Generally nasty, horrible, disgusting bollox.

It's not bollocks though is it, because I'm usually right.

If I disgust you, you're obviously a bit weak in the head. That I somehow affect your day negatively in expressing my opinion shows how pathetic you must be. I mean something to you but you mean nothing to me. That's all you'll get from me now because personally I think, well it's been said, you are nothing.

Maybe I'm a bit soft in the head but surely the fact that you're both 'Blues' means that you are both somethingto each other?
Well thats the way I feel towards other blues.
C'mon guys chill ffs, we should ALL be on a high with that win!

No, he is an angry little man who swallowed a dictionary and believes in his world that it makes him superior to fellow blues. I am not convinced he is a blue and is usually on the wind up. Hope he has a merry xmas with all his friends.

 

[bookiesgirl]

really enjoyed the match today, thought the whole team was superb, thought the referee was poor though

 

[Marvin]

Today was one of the most enjoyable games of the season for me. Over the past couple of years we've developed quite a rivalry with Arsenal so I always look forward to the games anyway but after losing at Chelsea I knew we really needed to win today. I was happy with the way we started the game, a nice quick tempo and we didn't give them time on the ball, Balotelli and Aguero's closing down up front was excellent.

We had plenty of chances, the best falling to Aguero, who has missed a few easy ones this year. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet, play tends to slow down when he gets the ball, but his contribution so far this season has been great so we'll have one hell of a player once he's settled properly.

There were lots of tough tackles which always get the crowd going, and the referee's performance was as inconsistent as they come which means both sets of fans get on his back and this just adds to the atmosphere. I thought Nasri and Kolo were excellent against their old club but the stand out performers for me were as follows:

Gareth Barry - Covered every blade of grass as usual, would like to see some stats regarding the picking up of second balls, he's always in the right place at the right time and his distribution has improved this season, another wonderful midfield performance.

Vincent Kompany - Back to his brilliant, commanding best. Bullied almost every Arsenal player at some point during the game and showed fantastic ability on the ball to get out of some tight positions.

Joe Hart - Made some fantastic saves once again, the stop from Van Persie when he was offside was incredible.

Pablo Zabaleta - Absolutely immense, Walcott might as well have stayed at home, Zabba didn't give him an inch. Clichy's suspension was a blessing in disguise, I'm so proud to have him in our squad, the ultimate professional.

Agree with every word

 

[Salford_Blue]

Thought Arsenal flattered to deceive, which will always be their downfall.
They were always in it, but that was mainly down to us not taking our chances.

Huge praise for the number of Arsenal fans who ventured up here on a freezing cold Sunday.

Only outdone by Norwich this season for me.

Were they the best team that we have played this season?

Possibly, but I think Wolves gave us our hardest game at home so far.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Worst Arsenal side I've ever seen.

hoof by Szcezsny, either taken down by VP and lost or headed back, Arsenal pass it back to Koscielny or Mertesacker who passed it back to Szcezsny to hoof again.