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The win against Manchester City on Sunday made sure that the 3rd spot for Arsenal is even more stronger while City fluffed their title chances. It was indeed a case of sweet revenge for the Gunners and its a match that might have seen the last of Balotelli at the Eastlands and EPL.With United winning games left right center and also getting a helping hand of the referees it was a very important match for City when they travelled to the Emirates while Arsenal suffered defeat with QPR last week. SO in all it was supposed to be a cracker of a match. Coming to this match there was a interesting stat regarding Arsenal and it that they had lost four of itsprevious five matches versus its fellow and current top four teams in the EPL this season, while City had won all four of its previous against the same group.
From the start of the match one could see a sense of determination from the Arsenal players while the City team were just there to fight it out and maybe interested just in the counter attack.It was strange to see a Wenger side that competed for every second ball, not letting the opposition settle for an instant and creating the kind of high-tempo edge-of-your-seat energy that demonstrated two qualities not synonymous with Arsenal over the last 5 years or so, spirit and determination. This was reflected in the opening 15 minutes, City just did not get a foot on the ball, their usual passing game was not allowed to take shape.
Manchester City threatened only briefly at the start for about 25 mins and after that it was all Arsenal except for maybe one chance when Zabaleta inadvertently shoulder charged Aguero when he had the goal at his mercy. Arsenal did have a lot of chances but the finishing were just not there nor the luck with a couple of chances and it looked like it was one of those days where we just couldnt get a goal passed Hart. But that was not to be with just 3 minutes to final 90 mins Arteta from no where got a goal from a wonderful shot outside the box. It was a ball that he won back and with just a couple of steps with the ball he saw the space and he went with his shot and it was enough to beat EPL’s best keeper of the season.
City is now eight points behind city rival Manchester United in the title race, City’s largest deficit of the season. The Sky Blues had been five points ahead of United as recently as Dec. 3, but more damaging is that no team in EPL history has won the title from City’s current position (eight points behind with six matches remaining).City’s 37-year winless drought at Arsenal continued with Sunday’s defeat. City’s last away win in league play against Arsenal was 3-2 in the old English First Division in October 1975. City has now failed to score in its past five EPL visits matches at Arsenal. City striker Mario Balotelli was sent off for his second yellow card in the 90th minute, continuing his poor disciplinary record since joining the club for the 2010-11 season. In all competitions for City, Balotelli now has 22 yellow cards and four red cards.
What made the victory sweet was that Sp*rs and Chelsea dropped points.Now we need to make sure that we win the remaining matches and keep this wonderful momentum.
Until next time- Gunner for Life
