Arsenal vs. Man City
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by Rawbeezeitz
I was away for the weekend, but taped the Arsenal-Manchester City match. I might be the last person in the world to tape things instead of TiVoing them. Anyway, I just watched the match and had a few opinions.
This was the first time I've really watched Manchester City this season, and I must say I was thoroughly unimpressed. There was a 30 to 40 minute stretch during which they were unable to control the ball for more than 30 seconds, and the ball was in their own end 90% of the time. They had some impressive defensive play, but their midfield play was very poor. It was difficult to gauge their strikers because they rarely were given good build ups and scoring chances. But as a whole, they looked like a 10th place team.
Arsenal were given abundant goal scoring chances, and were only able to put one away. Obviously, Robin van Persie's penalty kick was the best unconverted chance they had. Arsenal has had this tendency recently, not to be able to capitalize on the opportunities given. However, despite possessing the ball for so long, and bringing it deep into Man City's territory, they really didn't have any great chances to score.
The problem with Arsenal's attacking is finishing attacks, but it isn't just the last shot. Arsenal like to pass the ball around a couple hundred times as they progress forward, but they not only struggle to have that good shot at the end, they struggle with their last few passes within the box. This is where you miss Thierry Henry. Even last year, he didn't look much like himself. But he was able to create space for himself in spots where the likes of van Persie or Tomas Rosicky or Emmanuel Adeboyer are simply unable to manoeuvre amongst defenders. Henry was also great at setting up his teammates with that great final pass.
Arsenal's midfield play has been impressive, but only up to a certain point. It seems like they get the ball easily, move it up easily, get to the box, but when the passes are shorter and need to be more precise, they struggle mightily. And I think this will be the reason why Arsenal can be eliminated from the title hunt. They still might win a Cup, and will finish in the top 4 of the EPL, but they're going to leave points on the field in spots here and there that will cost them. They almost drew against Man City, which would have been a major disappointment. They've already had one draw that should have been a win. I think about once a month (on average) they will have a game that is a draw that should have been a win, or a loss that should have been a draw.
Man City would still be on top of the League if Chelsea had lost against Liverpool, as they deserved to. Arsenal are the highest team on the table with 3 matches played (everyone above them has played 4). Arsenal are 6th but have the same number of points as 3rd place Wigan with 7 and a game in hand.
Arsenal's defense received another blow as Bacary Sagna was taken out by teammate Cesc Fabregas and left the game due to injury. This was after Philippe Senderos was scratched right before the game, and a few days after William Gallas left a match with injury. Sagna will miss Arsenal's Champions' League qualifier against Sparta Prague (which Arsenal leads 3-0), but Senderos will make his return in that match. Last year, Arsenal were plagued by injuries and cannot afford a similar season helthwise.
Arsenal
