Arsenal Blog Arsenal 0 Manchester City 0: Bore Dull & Sour

With Arsenal already out of championship race it was a well know fact that players dint have anything else to play for but for pride. Having already lost to city 2 times this season it was important that we got the records straight. Playing at home we had an opportunity to redeem ourself from the pain inflicted on us at Wigan.

Surprisingly Wenger left Bendtner on the bench and started with Van Persie all alone upfront. This is not the first time that Wenger has surprised me with his team selection. For once I forgot that we were playing at home. I know Bendtner has his critics but lets face it, guy has scored 9 goals in his last 12 matches for Arsenal and thanks to him we were still in the race untill last Sunday. For me he should have started upfront with Persie supporting him on the right especially considering the fact that we were playing at home. However for me this was too negative and just explains managers state of mind after 3 back to back losses. Alex Song back from injury replaced Craig Eastmond from the team which started against Wigan. Alex Song has been a revelation this season and work ethics were pretty much visible once again. With him back in the midfield, De Jong & Patrick Vieira had their work cut out.

As always we had plenty of possession in the first half but lacked enough creativity in the final third. Song played a nice through ball to Persie in the center who was well blocked by Toure. I loved Toure when he was at Arsenal. Never understood why Arsene sold him, considering the fact that how many soft goals we have conceded this season. He had a solid game at the back and was clearly their man of the match.

Our best chance in the first half came when Van Persie played a delightful throughball to Samir Nasri who was surprisingly called offside. Replays showed that Frenchman had timed his run excellently and for me would have scored however linesman got it completely wrong. Manchester city had their best chance when Vieira burst into the box from Tevez pass and almost scored but for Sol Cambells tackle. Old wily fox has showed time and again that age doesn't matter as long as you have the desire and commitment to excel. I would be really disappointed if I don't see him at Arsenal next season.

Second half was as boring as the first one and I could not see either team likely to score. For me the best part of the match was when Adebayor replaced Vieira and was met with jeers all around. Guy has been a c**t and Arsenal fans booed him whenever he was on the ball. He deserved what he got from the crowd and I just hope I don't see him again as he just brings a fury to me and fellow Arsenal fans for what he has done by leaving us for few extra pennies and also by his behavior when we played Man city earlier this season. With his introduction, City were more threatening going forward. It was clear Mancini and Manchester city wanted to win the game more then Arsene and Arsenal. He brought Adebayor immediately in the 2nd half whereas Arsene left it too to late to bring in Bendtner.

Game eventually finished in a tame draw and too be honest we deserved what we got.
No positive intent, lack of desire and commitment and nothing to play for more then anything else meant that we drew the match. For once Crapianski had a decent game just for the fact that he dint commit any mistakes. Diaby played well alongside Song and ensured Vieira/Jong dint have enough of the ball. He had a decent shot in the 2nd half which was well saved by Given. While saving Given injured himself and looks like his season might well be over.

Leaving you all with the extended highlights of the match, good bye untill next time...