Kevin Whitcher
It promised to be a highly significant fixture, and let’s hope that proves the case come the final reckoning, as Arsenal answered the questions about whether or not they can win the games that often determine the top positions at the season’s end.
Manchester City came into this game as the bookies’ favourites to win the title. I imagine they probably still are, but the gap between them and the Gunners at the nation’s turf accountants will have undoubtedly shortened after this resolute and convincing display.
City were without Kompany, but did have Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguerro starting. And for the first half an hour, City were on top. More composed, with greater assurance in possession. However, they were reduced to pot shots from outside the area. Certainly the amount of the ball they enjoyed was probably deliberate, with a nod back to Arsenal’s win at Eastlands earlier in the calendar year. Arsene Wenger presumably instructed his men to play as if they were the away team. Soak up the pressure and hit them on the break. It was a tactic that might have reaped even greater dividends had referee Andre Mariner been a little less tolerant of some of City’s cynical fouling, with Kolarov the most guilty party.
But eventually, Arsenal’s plan bore fruit, although only after a real scare when Kevin De Bruyne was clean through and fired narrowly wide from the angle. Arsenal were more clinical. Two shots all half, both converted. The first was a thing of beauty with Walcott taking Ozil’s pass and curling his shot round Joe Hart into the corner of the net. Hart will have been disappointed with the second, put through his legs by Oliver Giroud after Joel Campbell and Ozil (again) combined to present him with the opportunity. That goal came right at the death of the first half, great timing and the crowd were buzzing as the players walked off.
The second half was predictably more open. Most of City’s chances seemed to come from set pieces, but Petr Cech handled everything comfortably. The home side had chances to make the end of the game far more comfortable with a third goal on several occasions, but their finishing deserted them. City, although looking generally composed, seemed a little laboured for long periods, but all that changed when Yaya Toure scored a typical long range goal out of a seemingly harmless situation. Arsenal had defended well, but momentarily switched off and allowed the Ivorian the time and space to find his range.
Predictably, an avalanche followed, and for a few moments Arsenal looked nervy. Yet, their last ditch defending did hold out and in the end they were able to see out injury time with some stop start football that blunted City’s momentum. They were deserved winners.
There were a number of notable performances. Both centre backs were superb and fired up. Koscielny was keen to take the game to the opposition when play opened up and showed real spirit. Mertesacker made two or three key interceptions. Ozil proved he has fully adapted to this league by making the key difference against top opposition. Olivier Giroud, with two men marking him most of the time, worked selflessly for the cause, and critically converted when the chance came his way. There was a tendency to give the ball away a little more often than was good for the heart, but the team generally recovered from these moments without cost.
No team has conceded fewer goals than Arsenal in the Premier League. That is the sign of title winners. If that stat continues until May, there is every chance Arsene Wenger can bring home a first league title in 12 seasons. And this was an Arsenal team with Joel Campbell and a midfield axis of Ramsey and Flamini. Winning this match was evidence of squad depth. Wins against Sunderland and Villa are one thing. Beating Manchester City is another.
Will Arsenal run out of steam as the games come thick and fast? Will Ozil get injured (as Sanchez has) through being overplayed?
Pep Guardiola will roll up at Eastlands next season. Who knows who will be in charge at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, but with the money awash in the English game, you can be sure it will be someone with genuine talent. This season is possibly Arsenal’s best chance of winning the league in the next four or five seasons. Any cash available to strengthen the manager’s options is best used in January rather than waiting for the summer, even if there is a premium to pay. The title is there for the taking, but the club have to use all the resources available to them to maximise their chances. City will be a different proposition once Kompany returns and will put a run together.
Still, we can worry about January after the next two fixtures are done and dusted. Southampton away might be coming just at the right time, and Bournemouth at home should be three points in spite of the Cherries’ recent uplift. Certainly, Arsenal have done the hard work by beating City. The only fear might be the lack of ability to rotate next weekend when there are two games in three days, but momentum is unquestionably with the team.
A good start to the festive period, and one that can give us all hope that 2016 might finally see a fourth title under Arsene Wenger. Merry Christmas everybody.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
The new issue of The Gooner went on sale at the game yesterday evening, and can be bought at Southampton away and the home matches v Bournemouth, Newcastle and Sunderland. It includes a free 2016 pullout calendar. The theme, with next year marking the 10th anniversary of the stadium move, is “10 Years at the Grove” and features a notable match from the last decade for every month. The issue can also be bought online here.
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