Brave Gunners undone by City

Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City

Arsenal were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Manchester City last night, but can hold their heads up high after an excellent performance against the club bankrolled by Sheik Mansour.




Frimpong: A true Warrior

 The players on show for Manchester City included, Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero, Samir ‘you only went for the money’ Nasri, Nigel de Jong, Owen Hargreaves and Adam Johnson. Yet Arsenal outplayed and outfought them throughout and deserved to go through to the semi-final. No one typified Arsenal’s resolute attitude more than Emmanuel Frimpong. He was truly magnificent last night. The Ghanaian worked tirelessly to win the ball on numerous occasions with strong, robust tackles, before surging forward to help the attack. Frimpong is a real warrior, a man who will never give up and who gives his all for the team. He continually chased and harried Nasri, resulting in the Frenchman’s ineffectual display to the joy of the Arsenal faithful. Alongside Frimpong, Francis Coquelin helped Arsenal dominate the midfield battle, making timely interceptions to protect the back four. He also set up Ju Young Park, in the first half, with a wonderful low cross, forcing Costel Pantilimon in the Man City goal, to pull off an excellent save.

On the right flank Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was simply phenomenal. His fast, direct, forward runs had the Emirates crowd on their feet time and time again, as he turned Pablo Zabaleta inside out. The young Englishman was also denied by a fine save from Pantilimon following a long range effort which was destined for the top corner. Last night Oxlade-Chamberlain proved without question that he is ready for Premier League action and could provide Wenger with an interesting conundrum.

Arsenal’s makeshift defence also played admirably as they stifled City’s attack, with Koscielny a defensive rock and even Squillaci performing well. While Djourou and Ignasi Miquel, deployed at right and left back respectively were never outdone by City’s vast array of attacking talent. Essentially the excellent performances by the defence and midfield gave Arsenal the platform to dominate the game and in the second half the Gunners never appeared in any danger. In fact with six minutes remaining you could only see Arsenal emerging victorious. Unfortunately a poor delivery from an Oxlade-Chamberlain corner was easily cleared at the near post to Dzeko, who evaded two challenges before playing the ball forward to Johnson who in turn set up Aguero to give City the lead.

The Gunners would not give up and continued to mount attack after attack, the best chance of all coming in the dying minutes of the match. Gervinho created space for himself on the right flank before delivering a fine cross into the City six-yard box where Chamakh just failed to connect with the ball. Had the Moroccan fully committed himself, he would have equalised and Arsenal may well have emerged victorious. Unfortunately Chamakh was the weak link yet again last night and I cannot see a future for him at the Emirates. Ultimately Arsenal created several chances to which they just could not apply the finishing touch they richly deserved, while Manchester City scored with their only shot on target.  

At the final whistle, although deeply disappointed the players walked off to rich applause and chants of ‘we love you Arsenal we do.’ Every Arsenal fan should be extremely proud of their display.