Arsenal 0 - 1 Manchester City: Arsenal unlucky in defeat

That was a far-cry from the pounding that people expected, wasn't it?

Comparing the two teams before kick-off, you'd have been forgiven for thinking City had the better quality and would probably win the game. It was that quality that told, in the end, as for all of Arsenal's efforts and determination, they were lacking in the final third.

The defence was rarely troubled by Kolarov, Johnson, Nasri and Dzeko. There was the odd ocassion where Johnson had the beating of Miquel, but other than that I don't recall City really carving us open and being threatening going forward.

Of course, we weren't that much better. Though we had a lot of the play in City's half, we seldom carved out any decent opportunities other than Coquelin crossing for Park, who should've scored but didn't get a decent enough connection on the ball.

It was a game of few chances, and the game was mostly a scrappy one in midfield. Coquelin and Frimpong scrapped and faught all game, and used the ball well, too. Unfortunately, for all the industrialism, we were toothless going forward. Chamberlain showed flashes but struggled to get enough balls into the box, while Benayoun struggled to get involved in the game from the left. Chamakh looked livlier than he has been but didn't connect well with his strike partner, Park.

It seemed that because of this, the game would go to extra-time and most likely penalties. The only way it would be won would be from a moment of quality, which unfortunately came from City and not from us.

The corner kick leading to the counter wasn't a great one, but Arsenal really shot themselves in the foot when two players dived in to disposess Dzeko, but both missed. Arsenal were always labouring from there - Djourou, in particular, didn't go all the way with Aguero who eventually rounded off the counter.

Ultimately, it's just one of those results you have to take on the chin and move on from. We lost, but played well and it's only the Carling Cup. The main focus this year is to finish in the top four, not to win a trophy.

We were the better team by FAR

Frimpong and coquelin

it was a nice counter, that's why crosses are gotta be good inside the box... we had plenty of them but not a real threat. Sucks when little mistake makes the day, because we played our hearts out and even chamackh played his lungs out! don't know why he didn't get subbed in, chamberlain should've stayed... just my opinion.

good game overall... city did their job, defended well and countered.

Really wish i could drop a few F bombs right now

We lacked one thing: A quality striker


Park was invisible; Chamakh's efforts were rarely up top.

and a new striker should be coming in.... because park is not better!

Park made Chamakh look like Ronaldo Lima by comparison

Our clear lack of back up strikers was unveiled for the world to see. Bentdner would have been ideal tonight

AOC, Frimpong and Miquel really impressed me.

Chamakh, why you no win headers no more??

I'm actually pretty happy with the performances of most of the boys today, but unfortunately we seemed to forget they were capable of scoring too (shown by that two-person-slide tackle when our defenders should have been running back to goal) and it cost us. Well, that and the fact that none of our strikers played well...

I know we've been linked with all sorts of midfielders for January, but we really need a high-level striker. I'm willing to give Park a chance to prove himself, but Chamakh just doesn't look useful out there any more. We need better depth.

It's just the Carling Cup, but I really wanted us to win it this year

wow, do we miss bendtner? lol

I don't blame Chamakh really, all our corners were shit and we didn't even provide good crosses from the wings for him to latch on (bar that late one in injury time)

We either play to Chamakh's strengths when he's on, or not bother trotting him out at all

I'm hearing that Frimpong and Nasri had a bit of a fight in the tunnel after the game.

Bendnter>>>>Chamakh. I said that last season and im sticking with it.

but yea no point in that debate.


We need to get pudolski in

and LOL at frimpong

Both were crap today though

difference between Aguero and Dzeko and Chamakh n Park.


rvp would have had a hatrick, not even exaggerating.

RealGunner wrote:Bendnter>>>>Chamakh. I said that last season and im sticking with it.

Bendtner is world class

Seriously though, I agree with you, and I did last season as well. I was quite disappointed when he said he never wanted to come back.

Done with the first post.

Can't be arsed to do player ratings tonight.

couqlin-8
frimpong-7
AOC-7.5
benny-7
kosi-7.5
miguel-7
the rest were mehh and kept on playing bad and giving the ball away at times.

RedEyesWhiteBeard wrote:

Lex wrote:I don't blame Chamakh really, all our corners were shit and we didn't even provide good crosses from the wings for him to latch on (bar that late one in injury time)

We either play to Chamakh's strengths when he's on, or not bother trotting him out at all

what are his strengths? he cant do SHIT

Heading the ball..?