In one of the biggest Premier League games of the season, Arsenal comfortably saw off Manchester City’s rather weak efforts.
City failed on the road once again, with Aguero not fully fit and Vincent Kompany unavailable, the Citizens’ defence continued to look wide open.
Arsene Wenger got his team selection spot on, Manuel Pellegrini did not, and, despite a Yaya Toure strike late on, Arsenal were comfortable, and deserving, winners.
Theo Walcott’s screamer started off Arsenal’s first half domination, whilst Kevin de Bruyne missed a sitter, Ozil picked up yet another assist as he slid in Olivier Giroud before half time.
Raheem Sterling’s introduction at half-time helped City get a foothold in the game, but it was all a bit of too little too late for the Sky Blues as we were left wondering why they didn’t play with such energy earlier.
Twice before Arsenal have been second in the PL at Christmas and both times previously they have gone on to become champions.
Yaya Toure is as big a liability as Fabregas
He scored a pearler, we know, but Yaya Toure provided another lazy central midfield performance. Cesc Fabregas might get by-passed in midfield, but Yaya is like a lampost whilst his central midfield partners run around.
His flair and skill is not in question, but Yaya’s burst of energy and decision to ‘run the game’ when City were chasing the game in the last twenty minutes makes it all the more annoying.
Manchester City may well have to accept that they can no longer play Yaya Toure in the biggest matches, or, at the very least, play Toure instead of David Silva.
Mesut Ozil making sure Arsenal aren’t missing Sanchez
This infographic needs a bit of updating after Ozil’s two assists in this game.
Ozil was not at his best this evening, but the Gunners’ magical number 10 is surely odds on to break the assist record now. His elegance can appear as laziness, but Ozil is, without question, the most creative player in the league and Arsenal will go a long way if they can keep him firing.
As wonderful as Alexis Sanchez was last season, Ozil’s performances have meant the fans haven’t missed the Chilean too much.
City can’t spend their way out of their Kompany woe
Despite the vulgar amount of money spent on both Mangala and Otamendi, City’s defence still parts like the red sea whenever the Belgian is out of the side.
Throughout the match we saw Arsenal cut the City defence open with the simplest of moves and City’s record without Kompany is as worrying for Pellegrini as it is positive for Ranieri and Wenger.
Until Kompany returns, City will need to score at least 3 to have any sense of security in a game.
Sterling or Navas need to start
City begun this game with both Sterling and Navas on the bench, ‘Why?!’ I hear you ask, I don’t know.
The way that Pellegrini set his side up lacked pace and playing two number 10s and Fabian Delph as your attacking midfield trio is always going to miss something. City’s attacks, as a result, were often slow and had no pace to launch a counter attack, let alone have anyone run in behind.
Ideally you may start both, but on an occasion like this, Sterling should’ve played on one wing, perhaps the selection of Delph was to compensate for Yaya Toure’s lack of work in midfield.
Joel Campbell deserves a new contract
Amongst Ozil and Giroud’s form, Joel Campbell’s impressive run of performances seem to have been somewhat overlooked.
The Costa Rican impressed yet again from the right flank with his power, pace and, despite Martin Tyler’s comments, technical ability. Campbell might not quite have the grace of Cazorla or Ozil, but the presence of a second winger gives the Arsenal side a balance that they lack when Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil are deployed out wide.
