The problem for Arsenal is that the premiership title is not given to the team that played the most attractive and enjoyable football over the course of the season. Every season is a points race and for the top four clubs a draw can only be seen as two dropped points (Aston Villa). You can count on one hand the number of losses a team can suffer whilst still remaining in contention and today Arsenal used up one of those losses (Manchester City). To sum up the start to the season I would say quite confidently that we have dropped 5 easy points.
For some reason Arsenal are having trouble converting goal scoring opportunities and just like the Aston Villa game, they could have scored four or five. Problem was... they didn't.
The game started slowly but in the 15th minute Hleb put Henry through. He wasn't his usual clinical self, simply poking the ball straight at the keeper.
Manchester City responded well with a period of dominance, during which Barton, Richards, Sinclair and Corradi all went close. With the game still scoreless Arsenal took control once more. Henry hit the keeper from close range and dragged another chance wide of the post. Hleb then put van Persie through and his shot struck the inside of the post and bounced clear of danger.
Just 5 minutes bfore the break Hoyte misjudged a hig ball and dragged Sinclair down. It was a definate penalty and Barton stepped up to drill the ball into the net off the underside of the bar. Van Persie had a penalty claim turned down and was booked for protesting the case, whilst Toure's header was cleared off the line with the last attack of the first half.
Arsenal had a lot of possession in the second half as Manchester City inevitably sat back trying to protect their lead. The visitors conspired to waste numerous opportunities by over complicating matters and at times a simple lack of ideas was to blame. Credit must go to the Manchester City defense who were dogged in their cause.
Arsenal set up shop on the edge of the City penalty area applying constant pressure, with van Persie, Henry and Toure wasting golden opportunities. Walcott came on and showed some glimpses to whet the appetite and it seemed infeasible that Weaver and the City defense would hold out for the whole 90 minutes but they did.
Good Stuff: Creating lots of goal scoring opportunities.
Bad Stuff: Poor finishing.
Noticeable: A lack of ideas in the final third at times.
Star Man: NA.
| Man City | Stat | Arsenal |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 6 |
| 7 | Shots off Target | 11 |
| 2 | Corners | 8 |
| 4 | Offsides | 3 |
| 16 | Fouls | 8 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 47% | Possession | 53% |
Man City (4-4-2): Weaver, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Richards, Barton, Dabo, Sinclair, Dickov (Samaras 86), Vassell (Mills 79), Corradi. Unused subs: Hart, Ireland, Miller.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Lehmann, Eboue (Flamini 83), Toure, Djourou, Hoyte, Hleb (Adebayor 76), Gilberto, Fabregas, Rosicky (Walcott 66), van Persie, Henry. Unused subs: Almunia, Cygan.
Attendance: 40,699
