Arsenal’s visit to Man City last Sunday was, in my opinion, the best game of football in the Premier League this season. And, let’s face it; there’s been some very tough competition – Arsenal’s own 5-3 victory at Chelsea, City’s 6-1 win against deadly rivals Man United at Old Trafford or Norwich City’s 4-2 win against Newcastle. There’s been some real goal feasts, nigh-on five months of all-out attack and generous defending. But, City’s narrow 1-0 win over title-outsiders Arsenal was the highest of high quality football games. Here’s why…
First of all, the game was very open indeed. Both teams had a real go at each other from first whistle to last with a number of chances created at each end. It’s often that you find games of such magnitude to be a bit cagey, with little chances between the two teams and opposing midfields trying to outfox each other in the centre of the park. Not so on Sunday and you have to give both teams credit given the fact it was a very important game with a lot at stake.
Secondly, it was such high intensity between both sides – the match bristled with pace, energy and white-hot atmosphere. You could feel the tension at home from your TV screen as you saw two genuine Premier League heavy-weights trade blow after blow with each other in search of that important three points. Finally, as aforementioned, it was such high quality between both sides. Players such as Silva, van Persie, Song, Aguero and Vermaelen all played at the very top of their game and, all-in-all, made the match an absolute joy to watch.
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The only slight snag is that it told us nothing new about what we’ve learned from this season so far. It gave further indication that Mancini’s Man City are now genuine title contenders, recovering swiftly from last week’s defeat at Chelsea and overtaking Man United at the top after the Champions’ four-hour spell there following victory over QPR earlier in the day. They have class, match-winners everywhere and huge resilience – displayed in abundance against a very good Arsenal side.
It also told us that the Gunners, despite their recent excellent form, are still quite a way away from being title contenders again. This latest defeat left them 12 points off the pace and Arsene Wenger must surely have to face an eighth year without Premier League silverware in his cabinet.
As this article is being written, there are two top-flight games being played – only two days after the last round of matches. The season is entering a very congested period and the league table is starting to take shape. As we close 2011, people can start to make more confident predictions of who’s staying up or who’s going to win the league. That’s what makes December such a fascinating month for a football fan. City and Arsenal have given us indications of where they’re heading in this intriguing 2011-12 campaign – what about the rest of the league? Roll on the Boxing Day fixtures!
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It is not very often as a Man City supporter of over 50yrs that I can say I have looked forward to an Arsenal game. We have been beaten far too easily far too often for that. This game was an exception I thought for the first time we had a genuine chance. Both teams went for it from the off and it made for a great spectacle. I would, of course, have been disappointed to lose but still could have taken plenty of positives out of the game as I am sure Arsenal will do.
Manchester City and Arsenal are the two quaity teams in the Premiership. I’m glad we won but as a game of football it was the best I’ve seen in years.
I am really surprises to where the EPL have arrived in the past years. I am an Arsenal fan, however, the competition is always gonna make us better. Arsenal are close to having a great team that can challenge for titles. January will be very important for us. Man City have become a joy to watch as they are playng football the way it should be played, i always prefered them over united