Manchester City 3 Arsenal 1: Arsene Wenger's team outclassed but they get little help from the referee
Pep Guardiola is convinced
Manchester City will be beaten this season, and he may well be proved
right, but for the moment his side remain thrillingly unstoppable.
Arsenal were the latest opponents to succumb to the bewitching brilliance of the Premier League leaders. Not lambs to the slaughter as some have been but Guardiola will not have been the only one wondering how his team were not out of sight and basking in another landslide of goals by the time Arsenal very briefly threatened to make this interesting.
In the end, though, all substitute Alexandre Lacazette’s goal 25 minutes from time succeeded in doing was poking the beast and, before long, City had restored their two-goal cushion when Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 after a linesman had failed to spot David Silva in an offside position.
Arsenal will moan about that, even if they forgot the basic rule of playing to the referee’s whistle, and perhaps the award of a penalty, too, shortly after the restart from which Sergio Aguero had doubled City’s advantage after the majestic Kevin De Bruyne had got the ball rolling with a characteristically stunning strike.
But any complaints from Arsene Wenger are likely to fall on deaf ears since the gulf in class between these sides was abundantly apparent.
Arsenal were the latest opponents to succumb to the bewitching brilliance of the Premier League leaders. Not lambs to the slaughter as some have been but Guardiola will not have been the only one wondering how his team were not out of sight and basking in another landslide of goals by the time Arsenal very briefly threatened to make this interesting.
In the end, though, all substitute Alexandre Lacazette’s goal 25 minutes from time succeeded in doing was poking the beast and, before long, City had restored their two-goal cushion when Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 after a linesman had failed to spot David Silva in an offside position.
Arsenal will moan about that, even if they forgot the basic rule of playing to the referee’s whistle, and perhaps the award of a penalty, too, shortly after the restart from which Sergio Aguero had doubled City’s advantage after the majestic Kevin De Bruyne had got the ball rolling with a characteristically stunning strike.
But any complaints from Arsene Wenger are likely to fall on deaf ears since the gulf in class between these sides was abundantly apparent.
Alexis Sanchez’s longing to join City will only have intensified after this although he was largely anonymous on the day and, on current form, it is hard to see how the Chilean could force his way into this team.
There was
so much to admire about this performance from City, even if Guardiola
will be a little frustrated that Arsenal were momentarily allowed back
into proceedings, but there was little doubt where the game was won and
lost.
City were superior in most departments but none more so than central midfield where the sublime David Silva and De Bruyne systematically unravelled their Arsenal counterparts. It’s like two pistons working in perfect harmony. They so seldom lose the ball and when they are in possession they are so dangerous with it, and turn defence into attack at such speed.
City were superior in most departments but none more so than central midfield where the sublime David Silva and De Bruyne systematically unravelled their Arsenal counterparts. It’s like two pistons working in perfect harmony. They so seldom lose the ball and when they are in possession they are so dangerous with it, and turn defence into attack at such speed.
City had two excellent chances to take the lead before De Bruyne’s moment of individual magic.
Barely ninety seconds had elapsed when Sergio Aguero sliced a shot wide from close range after Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne had raced away on the counter and then in the 12th minute fortune shined on Arsenal. Nicolas Otamendi dispossessed Mesut Ozil – yes, he was playing, Arsenal fans – Silva picked up the loose ball and found Aguero, who played Leroy Sane in behind Laurent Koscielny.
Sane’s cross seemed destined to be turned in by Sterling on the goalline but the England forward got shoved in the back by Sead Kolasinac and missed the ball. Michael Oliver, the referee, failed to spot the infringement and Arsenal breathed a sigh of relief.
Well, for seven minutes anyway.
Barely ninety seconds had elapsed when Sergio Aguero sliced a shot wide from close range after Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne had raced away on the counter and then in the 12th minute fortune shined on Arsenal. Nicolas Otamendi dispossessed Mesut Ozil – yes, he was playing, Arsenal fans – Silva picked up the loose ball and found Aguero, who played Leroy Sane in behind Laurent Koscielny.
Sane’s cross seemed destined to be turned in by Sterling on the goalline but the England forward got shoved in the back by Sead Kolasinac and missed the ball. Michael Oliver, the referee, failed to spot the infringement and Arsenal breathed a sigh of relief.
Well, for seven minutes anyway.
After De
Bruyne had a snap shot saved by Petr Cech, Arsenal’s best player on the
day, Sane picked up the loose ball and gave it to Fabian Delph who
squared to De Bruyne. There was nothing really on but the Belgium
midfielder played a one-two with Fernandinho, shifted the ball on to his
left foot and then drilled it low across Cech into bottom corner.
Exquisite.
To try to grasp the extent of the demands Guardiola places on his players, it’s worth peeling your eyes away from the rip-roaring football for a moment to watch the manager on the touchline. It becomes apparent just how exacting he is when he angrily stamps his foot or wheels away in disgust at the smallest pass that goes awry.
Guardiola’s fury when Sterling, looking to square the ball for Sane after being released by another awe-inspiring De Bruyne pass, overhit his own pass in the 35th minute was entirely understandable.
To try to grasp the extent of the demands Guardiola places on his players, it’s worth peeling your eyes away from the rip-roaring football for a moment to watch the manager on the touchline. It becomes apparent just how exacting he is when he angrily stamps his foot or wheels away in disgust at the smallest pass that goes awry.
Guardiola’s fury when Sterling, looking to square the ball for Sane after being released by another awe-inspiring De Bruyne pass, overhit his own pass in the 35th minute was entirely understandable.
If
Sterling had got that right with Koscielny outnumbered, or even took on
the chance himself and scored, it would effectively have been game over
for Arsenal at that point. But a couple of minutes before then, there
had been another insight into Guardiola’s unrelenting standards.
After Kolasinac’s push on Sterling went noticed and Arsenal collected the loose ball, Guardiola was motioning frantically at Kyle Walker to be further up the pitch, ready to apply immediate pressure on Kolasinac, hands on his head in despair at the right back’s positioning. These are the small details Guardiola lives by and what, ultimately, make his side so hard to contain or counter.
Aaron Ramsey forced a good save from Ederson on the cusp of half-time but City were two goals to the good five minutes into the second period. Fernandinho’s raking pass played in Sterling. Monreal gave chase but his challenge was clumsy and down went Sterling. There have been clearer cut penalties but the contact was there.
After Kolasinac’s push on Sterling went noticed and Arsenal collected the loose ball, Guardiola was motioning frantically at Kyle Walker to be further up the pitch, ready to apply immediate pressure on Kolasinac, hands on his head in despair at the right back’s positioning. These are the small details Guardiola lives by and what, ultimately, make his side so hard to contain or counter.
Aaron Ramsey forced a good save from Ederson on the cusp of half-time but City were two goals to the good five minutes into the second period. Fernandinho’s raking pass played in Sterling. Monreal gave chase but his challenge was clumsy and down went Sterling. There have been clearer cut penalties but the contact was there.
Aguero,
who had been presented with a special boot to mark becoming City’s
all-time top scorer in midweek, made no mistake from the penalty spot,
the ball bouncing off the inside of the post for his 179th goal in City colours.
And then City’s intensity briefly dropped, Wenger brought on Laczaette, switched from three at the back to 4-2-3-1 and Arsenal suddenly had a spring in their step.
The goal was well made and well taken. Koscielny found Alex Iwobi, who teed up Ramsey with a good pass. Ramsey then spotted Laczaette peeling off Otamendi and fed the striker who shot powerfully underneath Ederson.
Arsenal would run out of puff, though, and after Cech had denied Gabriel Jesus with a terrific save, City claimed a third when Silva, from an offside position, collected Fernandinho’s pass and squared for Jesus to score.
And then City’s intensity briefly dropped, Wenger brought on Laczaette, switched from three at the back to 4-2-3-1 and Arsenal suddenly had a spring in their step.
The goal was well made and well taken. Koscielny found Alex Iwobi, who teed up Ramsey with a good pass. Ramsey then spotted Laczaette peeling off Otamendi and fed the striker who shot powerfully underneath Ederson.
Arsenal would run out of puff, though, and after Cech had denied Gabriel Jesus with a terrific save, City claimed a third when Silva, from an offside position, collected Fernandinho’s pass and squared for Jesus to score.
Right enough from me
Here is Mr James Ducker and, if you're up for a bit more live blogging, here's JJ Bull on Chelsea v Manchester United.
Full time: Manchester City 3 Arsenal 1
Report
and reaction to follow. Arsenal/Arsene might point to the offside
decision for the third, and I daresay some of the more one-eyed will
debate the penalty, but no sane person could argue that this was the
correct result. City looked so dangerous on the break, and Arsenal were
only sporadically on terms. City do have their vulnerabilities but
Arsenal needed all their big players - Ozil, Sanchez - to excel, and
they didn't. Lacazette came on and scored, a mixed blessing for Wenger I
suppose in that some will ask why he didn't start.
Leaving aside Arsenal's perennial irritating issues, you have to hand it to Man City. They look the best side in the PL by a country mile at the moment.
Leaving aside Arsenal's perennial irritating issues, you have to hand it to Man City. They look the best side in the PL by a country mile at the moment.
GOAL! Manchester City 3 Arsenal 1 (Jesus 74)
Arsenal
are certain that Silva is offside, and to be fair he does look to be.
But it's slipped through, Silva onto the ball, Arsenal are standing
stock still just waiting for the decision. How VERY Arsenal. Play to the
whistle, etc. The ball is crossed in, the simplest tap-in you could
wish for, and that's surely game, set and match.
Xhaka gets a booking for complaining.
55 mins
Seemingly
harmless ball played into the box, City's keeper makes an absolute
pig's ear of it, Rasmey charges forward and shoulder-barges the keeper,
and the ball, into the net. It's like football from 1896! Lovely stuff.
Perhaps Arsene can re-invent wee Rasmey as a blood-and-thunder
goal-hanging centre forward. Or, perhaps not.
52 mins
What can
Arsenal do? Sterling had been a thorn in their side throughout. A
battering is a very real possibility if they push up too much here, City
so dangerous on the break... and with the ball at the feet 30 yards
out. Silva sends a lovely pass through, but it's overhit by a few
percent. That would have opened Arsenal up like a tin o beans.
48 mins
Arsenal allowed a rare chance with the ball, the City press comes in, and Arsenal cannot keep it.
It's played forward, Sterling into the box - danger here!
It's played forward, Sterling into the box - danger here!
Sterling's
got the run on Monreal, who is absolutely beaten here. He hauls down
the Arsenal man, and that is a clear penalty. It's Aguero to take the
penalty.
37 mins
More like
it from Sterling, he chooses the right ball here: to the overlapping
Kyle Walker who drills the ball across. There's a bundle, it's as likely
than the lunging Arsenal centre back Koscielny turns this in as City
forward Aguero but it's kept out by hook or by crook.
That situation came about because Xhaka tried an elaborate ball across his own defence.
34 mins
Arsenal
have had a major let off. Ramsey's given the ball away, and City break
quickly. It's slipped to Sterling and it's two-on-one. Sterling only has
to play the ball to Sane, and this game is over.... but Raheem has made
a horrible mess of that ball.
Guardiola is FURIOUS.
Ramsey's making out like he's hurt by the challenge (from that noted chopper Sergio Aguero). Come off it son.
Guardiola is FURIOUS.
Ramsey's making out like he's hurt by the challenge (from that noted chopper Sergio Aguero). Come off it son.
4 mins
Coquelin
looking a bit alarmed. He's got his work cut out. Walker also coming
into that midfield theatre when City have the ball to further increase
the numerical pressure.
Chance
for Arsenal here, though. City's high defensive line struggle to clear a
freekick, Stones heading it limply to Iwobi, who volleys over.
2 mins
Kolasinac
is busy down his flank to start with, winning a corner off Walker.
Arsenal give the ball away and here come City. Sterling breaks at high
pace, slips it to KDB, who in turn has Aguero outside him. City
ferocious on this break, four, five, six of them surging into the box.
Aguero shoots wide at the near post.
Arsenal: gulp.
Arsenal: gulp.
So: what is on the menu?
Arsenal's
trip to Man City looks a daunting task, but no reason why the Wenger
outfit cannot get a result if everything falls into place. An
interesting team selection for Arsene, it would appear that he is going
for a back four. Monreal and Koscielny as centre halves, with Bellerin
and Kolasinac at full-back/wing-back?
I'm not sure I see Monreal as a centre half but then again he's quick and he makes interceptions, and it's not as if City are physically overpowering up front.
I'm not sure I see Monreal as a centre half but then again he's quick and he makes interceptions, and it's not as if City are physically overpowering up front.
Good afternoon!
Tyers
here, happy Sunday, loads of football to enjoy today. I'm not a betting
man myself but I must say, this seems a decent price. 50/1: Man City to beat Arsenal and other betting offers
Man City v Arsenal - all you need to know
What is it?
It's Manchester City vs Arsenal in the Premier League, one of four fixtures on 'Super Sunday'.When is it?
It's on Sunday November 5.What time is kick-off?
It's a 2.15pm GMT start at the Etihad.What TV channel is it on?
It's on Sky Sports - Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HD to be exact. Alternatively, you can follow the match here.What is the team news?
Manchester CityPremier League leaders Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Captain Vincent Kompany remains on the sidelines with a calf injury, but manager Pep Guardiola hopes to have him back in training after the international break.
Left-back Benjamin Mendy is the only other senior absentee due to a long-term knee injury.
Provisional squad: Ederson, Bravo, Danilo, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Mangala, Delph, Toure, Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Sane, Sterling, D Silva, B Silva, Aguero, Jesus.
Arsenal
Arsenal will be hoping Sead Kolasinac overcomes a hip injury in time to line up against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international limped out of last weekend's win over Swansea after scoring and laying on an assist but manager Arsene Wenger believes he should be fit and available.
Wenger changed his entire team for the Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade but the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette are in line to return at the Etihad Stadium, although Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Santi Cazorla (ankle), Calum Chambers (hip), Danny Welbeck and David Ospina (both groin) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Cech, Macey, Mertesacker, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal, Debuchy, Bellerin, Nelson, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Wilshere, Xhaka, Elneny, Willock, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Sanchez, Iwobi, Lacazette, Nketiah.
Arsenal will be hoping Sead Kolasinac overcomes a hip injury in time to line up against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international limped out of last weekend's win over Swansea after scoring and laying on an assist but manager Arsene Wenger believes he should be fit and available.
Wenger changed his entire team for the Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade but the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette are in line to return at the Etihad Stadium, although Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Santi Cazorla (ankle), Calum Chambers (hip), Danny Welbeck and David Ospina (both groin) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Cech, Macey, Mertesacker, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal, Debuchy, Bellerin, Nelson, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Wilshere, Xhaka, Elneny, Willock, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Sanchez, Iwobi, Lacazette, Nketiah.
What are they saying?
Kevin De Bruyne:"Since Pep came to the club, he plays a style of football I like to play, so it makes it easy as a player," De Bruyne told Sky Sports.
"I like it here, it is the perfect environment and since I came here there has been a lot of trust in me. I like the project they are doing from the moment I came here.
"There was an older team (when I first arrived), they did a lot of transfers, a lot of young people, they are building for the future... I am really happy here and I see myself being a long time here."
Arsene Wenger:
“We will try to play our game - we will not hide, put it that way,” he said. “You want to defend well but you cannot only be focused on defending. We want to play and have the ball and create dangerous situations. Sometimes the best way to defend is to attack.”
“You have to accept the risk if you want to play football. You accept the gamble and the risk. It’s part of the game. You have to rate the risk. Is it a bigger risk only to defend if a team is very strong when they attack?"
What are the odds?
- Manchester City - 4/9
- Arsenal - 27/4
- Draw - 9/2
What's our prediction?
City go in search of their 15th consecutive victory, which would, if only briefly, move them eight points clear at the top of the table and a mammoth 12 points ahead of Arsenal. Arsene Wenger really needs his side to lay down a marker but will the Frenchman dare to try to fight fire with fire at the Etihad or adopt a more pragmatic approach?Prediction: 2-1
James Ducker
No comments:
Post a Comment
comment here