In other to erase their recent decimations by fellow BPL heavyweights, Arsenal displayed uncharacteristic solid defensive display and fully deserved their victory on a ground where they were pulverised 6-3 last season.
Giving a classic smash-and grab counter-attacking display, the Gunners sat deep, happily ceding possession to the hosts who always found layers of solid brickwalls in front of Arsenal’s vital area. But orchestrated by man-of-the-match Santi Cazorla, Wengers boys always looked a big threat whenever they broke forward.
And it was in one of those breaks that they won a penalty when City captain Vincent Kompany was correctly adjudged to have fouled overlapping full-back Monreal in the box. The Belgian international protested his innocence to no avail, leaving Cazorla the little task of brilliantly dispatching the spot kick for a first half lead.
In truth City failed to muster any serious challenge as the visitors coped easily with anything thrown at them. Even when the hosts briefly threatened to level up scores in the first 10 minutes of the second half, Arsenal’s solid defensive organisation and discipline ensured no damage was done.
Olivier Giroud made sure of unexpected maximum points when he towered above all to power home a header for the second goal in the second half. But the Gunners had many heroes at the Etihad apart from Giroud and Cazorla.
Francis Coquelin gave a welcomed energetic and intelligent display in defensive midfield and looked a bright prospect to solve one of Arsenal’s long ailing deparments. Youthful Hector Bellerin gave a composed performance in right full-back that suggested injured Mathieu Debauchy would not be missed. While Ospina’s assured display in goal could mean a long wait on sub bench for long time No-1 Wojciech Szczesny.
Much vilified captain Per Matesacker and his centre-half partner Laurent Koscielny gave a performance reminiscent of their imperious past and reminded us of what the Gunners had missed since the French defender was injured.
Leaders Chelsea would appear to be the chief beneficiaries of a City home upset as the Blues have extended their lead over the reigning champs to five points, making their next clash at Stamford Bridge in a forthnight a potential title decider! A win for Chelsea and they go eight points clear while a win for City will revive the title race.
But while Chelsea would be licking their lips, Manchester United especially would be sweating under their armpits as perennial Top 4 finishers Arsenal are now only one point behind them at a time when everybody expected the Gunners to be some four points adrift in the UCL qualification race.
While the title could be all but decided by the end of this month, the race for the last two slots of the lucrative UCL qualification looks destined to go to the wire.
Arsenal are my favourites to win their “perennial trophy” while four other clubs will slug it out for the remaining UCL slot (likely to be the 3rd position if you agree with me that Chelsea and City would claim first and second positions). Current 3rd placed team Southampton, Man United (4th), Tottenham (6th) and Liverpool (8th) are the quartet who would duel for the one remaining UCL slot in May.
At this juncture I want to ask you how you think the Top 4 would look in May?
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