Ten man Gunners succumb to superior City

Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City

 

Manchester City ended their 37 year wait for a victory at the home of Arsenal F.C. yesterday with a composed performance in which they were always in control. The visitors were of course aided in their quest for three points by the early dismissal of Laurent Koscielny, but the Frenchman only had himself to blame for effectively ending the match as a contest with barely 10 minutes gone.

 

Yet even before the sending off, Manchester City had been camped in the Arsenal half. They had started the game far hungrier than the Gunners, who by Wenger’s own admission were too timid from the kick-off. As this has been a recurring problem for Arsenal this season, it would appear that nothing is being done to address it.

 

In his press conference before the game, the manager had suggested that there would be no need to dip into the transfer market during the current window as with players returning from injury, his squad was now rather complete. However, a training ground injury to Mikel Arteta, highlighted just how absurd this statement was. The Spaniard’s injury resulted in Wenger handing Abou Diaby his first start in three months, in the centre of midfield, rather than Ramsey or Coquelin, which tells its own story.    

 

As a result, Arsenal had no bite in the middle of the park. Diaby was clearly off the pace, continually giving the ball away, easily being outmuscled and losing virtually every 50-50 challenge. The Frenchman had played for just over an hour in the under 21’s game against West Brom in mid-week and should never have been placed in that position against the champions. Unfortunately Wenger is too stubborn for his own good. Throughout the entire campaign the need for an out and out defensive midfielder has been clear for all to see, having missed the opportunity to rectify this issue in the summer it would appear that Wenger is set to do so again in January.

 

It was always going to be crucial yesterday for the Gunners to compete in the midfield, to disrupt Manchester City and prevent them from building momentum. However once again, there was only one Arsenal midfielder prepared to battle with all his heart and soul; Jack Wilshere. The young Englishman was immense as he carried the fight to the opposition, flying into tackles, constantly being fouled, but getting straight back up again for more. Yet despite his supreme exertion, Wilshere’s efforts were ultimately futile as he was essentially left to battle alone against City’s central midfield. Santi Cazorla is a supremely talented player but he does not appear to be one who is prepared to put his body on the line and graft in the same way Wilshere is. When all is going well, Cazorla comes to the fore, but when he has to earn the right to play, the Spaniard drifts out of the game and becomes largely anonymous.

 

Once Koscielny had been given his marching orders, Arsenal’s heads dropped. The fans were ready to roar their side on to a famous result but there was just no belief within those in red and white. Even when Dzeko missed the resulting spot kick, the ball cannoning off Szczesny’s legs against the inside of the post and back into the goalkeeper’s arms, there were no Arsenal players running to congratulate Szczesny. Having gone down to ten men, Wenger’s side just did not possess the players to grind out a result against the odds. With Walcott as the lone striker, the Gunners had no presence up front and so whenever they had possession, Arsenal could not get out of their own half as they had no one who could hold the ball up to bring his team mates into the game. Podolski, out on the wing, did not provide sufficient defensive cover for Kieran Gibbs and in fact both City goals came from this side, while another stark deficiency, the lack of a real leader in the defensive unit to galvanise the side, was highlighted once more. In the days of Tony Adams, the captain would have been screaming at his side, refusing to give in, leading by example and thriving in adversity.

 

Yesterday however, the Gunners seemed to accept their fate with a mere shrug of the shoulders and so there was no real surprise when they went behind in the 21^st minute. Having conceded a free kick, several Arsenal players inexplicably turned their backs to the ball and so were in no position to react as Manchester City took a quick free kick. David Silva passed to Tevez and the Argentine’s ball to Milner dissected four Arsenal players. Despite this, the Englishman was still faced with an acute angle, yet he unleashed a wonderful shot to beat Szczesny and give City the lead as the ball bounced in off the same post which had earlier come to Arsenal’s rescue. The visitors doubled their lead in the 32^nd minute as Zabaletta out fought Gibbs far too easily before the ball found its way to Milner and his low cross was diverted goal wards by Tevez. Although Szczesny saved the Argentine’s shot, he could only parry the ball straight to Dzeko who simply couldn’t miss.

 

From this point on City were in total and complete control. They passed the ball amongst themselves, holding Arsenal at arm’s length, ready to up their game if needed. They could have gone in at half time with a three goal lead, were it not for Wilshere’s headed clearance off the line from Javi Garcia.

 

Although Arsenal’s second half performance was much improved, it was a case of too little too late. Yes had they converted their chances, with Giroud diverting a free header over the bar and Walcott’s late effort cleared off the line by Lescott, the Gunners may well have managed to secure an unlikely draw. But in truth City were in total control, even after Kompany’s late red card for dangerous play.

 

Arsene Wenger’s side must now regroup quickly as the games come thick and fast. If the manager does not strengthen the squad by the end of the January transfer window, he runs the serious risk of overseeing an Arsenal side which will fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under his stewardship.