Arsenal 0 – 2 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
14 Jan
Hart - Barely tested such was Arsenal’s limited threat. Made one comfortable save in the first half before being rescued late on by Joleon Lescott after Theo Walcott’s shot had beaten him - 6
Zabaleta – Yet another powerful and commanding performance down the right hand side. Defensively solid and combined very well with Milner to offer a constant threat on the wing - 7
Kompany - Very unfortunate to be sent off, with replays showing just how good a tackle it was on Wilshere. It was strong and forceful but he was in control of his body. I’d expect City to be appeal but I don’t envisage the decision being overturned. Had hitherto been utterly authoritative - 7
Nastasic – As per usual, oozed composure at the back, looking assured on the ball and although he didn’t need to spend too much of his afternoon defending, he did what was needed without fuss – 7
Clichy – Booed on his return to his former club, he produced an energetic, vibrant performance down the left, stretching Arsenal’s backline in the first half and characterising our pressing and tenacity early on - 7
Garcia – Perhaps his best game since arriving in the summer. For the first time domestically in his City career, he showed signs that he can read a game, making a number of vital interceptions and picking up loose balls in midfield. His usual authoritative figure in the air, he looked sharper than previously. Promisings signs- 7
Barry – Once again, he was his understated, essential self. Set the tone in the early stages with his pressing and bite in midfield, forcing Arsenal into errors and moving the ball on quickly and effectively. Managed to advance forward more than usual - 7.5
Milner - My man of the match. We expect bundles of energy from him but he has allied that to an improved end product in recent matches and he was a key figure yesterday. Took the opening goal superbly and was instrumental in the second - 8.5
Silva – We may be used to his majesty but it doesn’t make it any less special. Controlled the game from the start, demanding possession and teasing the Gunners with his trickery and movement. Faded a little in the second half but still dangerous at times. He really is a joy to watch - 8
Tévez - Provided the assist to Milner with a piece of quick thinking and was involved in the second goal after bursting into the box to reach Milner’s cross, but wasn’t at his liveliest. Worked hard but seemed to lack a certain spark in possession - 6
Džeko - A really mixed performance. Some lovely, delicate touches to hold the ball up but then guilty on occasions of dross. Was lethargic in the second half, lacking the pace or dynamism to take advantage of a number of promising positions. An appalling penalty and then a tap in. This game saw the best and worst of Dzeko - 6
Subs
Lescott – One terrific, last-ditch clearance off the line to deny Walcott - 6
Balotelli – A very late substitute to replace Dzeko - No time to mark
Kolarov – Introduced in injury time - No time to mark
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Agree with most of that VFAB, although I think you underestimate Dzeko’s contribution. One of the best examples of hold up play I’ve seen this season combined with great movement and workrate. Also might question the 1.5 variance between Barry who did what we expect of him (very well BTW) and Zab who once again produced a totally committed, professional performance (Kieran Gibbs will be having nightmares!). No argument with Milner as MOM… he’s quickly becoming a real fans favourite and deserves all the plaudits for the way he has applied himself and the genuine class that is more evident with every game. Credit to Garcia too – we may not miss Yaya so much after all. Keep up the great work.
there is only 0.5 betwee barry and zab
Great win which was much more comfortable than expected. First game without toure and we looked good, im wondering whether this may continue to be the case. Garcia looked better, he needs to continue to improve though
- Your rating of Dezko is off the mark. He needs at least a 7. When you rate a player, you should consider his “on-the-ball” play as well as “off-the-ball” play. His movement to have Koscielny red-carded was a key moment to set City up for a win, not to mention his excellent hold-up play.
- Who on the earth let Dezko take the penalty. His last penalty was in 2010 in Bundesliga which was a miss as well. I knew for certain that it would be a miss as soon as I realized he is the taker. Milner is my preferred choice in the absence of super Mario. If there is one thing Dezko should not do is to take a penalty [capital crime].
- Fantastic display from Garcia. I was on cloud nine seeing his performance. Well done.
- Overall, great team performance and I wish we could have 11 MOM.
On the whole very fair and balanced voting however I do agree that you are perhaps getting used to “the majesty” of David Silva. Silva was clearly playing on another level than all the other players on the pitch. It is interesting to see the Plaudits that Jack Wiltshire is receiving for his game and I fear that it is a bit of a trap that we all fall into, (particularly when critiquing England players) of over valuing tenacity and speed and under valuing vision and artistry; that isn’t to imply Silva is lacking in either department. Silva put on virtuoso performance which as usual gets lost on the press etc.
You got your victory with help from the biased Arsenal hater Mike Dean (played 17, won one with him in charge), who refused to protect a young England International from being targeted and having lumps kicked out of him by your plastic army, after coming back from a long term injury.
37 years wasnt it ? you were that useless for all those years, my god, and you lot say your form has nothing to do with money!! ive gotta say Manchester City are the worst champions EVER to win the Premier League trophy.
As you say “37 years WASNT it?”. Thanks God we no longer deal with “IS” but “WAS”. Now I ask you a question “How long IS it since you last won any sh*t?
you can shoot your mouth when you do not deal with “IS” anymore!
And from this moment on, Man shitty is going to leave likes of you brown-faced. Enjoy the stench as we have lots of it [in case you are dumb enough not to infer that].
for all other respectful folks here, I do apologize for the language, some folks seems begging for it.
We get it, your hurting, but your analysis of the game is bitter, one sided and border line delusional. I can almost understand that, but when you go on to make such comments about our club and fans which you will know nothing about, then its difficult to not just laugh at you. Finally in regards to your last sentence, I just hope we can be the worst champions every year.
Havign been at the game I am fairly happy with these.
I am glad you finally recognised Garcia’s input into the game, winning us the freekick for the first goal and also spotting Podolski’s run, intercepting and playing a neat ball to set up the second goal.
May i also point out Barry again for not putting a foot wrong and always being first to everything.
p.s we need a solid penalty taker after Mario and Sergio! My vote is Milner, Barry or Hart!
‘Having been at the game’, so was I, but if you wasnt it doesnt make your opinion less valid. Its another way of saying if you didnt go then your opinion doesnt count. Now stop priding yourself on the fact you go to watch, its becoming sad
Its not implying that at all, this is just a useless inference you have decided to pick up on yet again.
Without a doubt you get a better view of the game by being there and seeing it. You cannot argue with this.
Which is why everyone raves about Yaya but actually without him we gain 2.36 points per game and with him only 2.09 per game, but everyone seems to think he is the almighty. When you watch him week in week out you quickly establish that this is not the case.
Thought Yaya was the “Almighty” last year, but I agree that this year he has looked sluggish & has been caught in possession a few times. Agree with most comments about Dezko, I think he put in a great shift. Definitely the best “team” performance I have seen this season, everybody busy and working hard.
Sad that Big Gun is allowing his disappointment to rule his head, just look at the stats, City won this by a mile and Mancinis comments were fair after the match when he said City were on top up until sending off and then it got easier. I’ve no doubt the goals would have come even if the Gunners had kept 11 on the pitch.
>>Without a doubt you get a better view of the game by being there and seeing it. You cannot argue with this.
2 + 2 = 4 is an objective subject. The equation holds without doubt and you can not argue with that. It can be proven without doubt. You , I, AFVB, and anyone else can not refute that unless one decides to look like an idiot. Your statement above is a subjective matter. There are no right/wrong answers to subjective matters, it varies from one person to another. It is opinionated. You can not prove to everyone beyond doubt that it holds.
And that is what I and blue bullets have trying to make you see.
I know other people who go week in week out and think Yaya is amazing but may be just out of form a little. The point is you can get 2 people who both go to a game and judge it in a completely different way and as siamack says, this is because it is largely subjective and rarely fact. Yes you can get a better view at times, but to consistently mention the fact you go, and use it in your argument of thats why your opinion has to be regarded highly is a complete nonesense. Some people who go every week think Silva is over rated, and that tells you all you need to know.
And winner of “biggest understatement of the 2013 thus far” is awarded to bluebullet for the following beauty when talking about Yaya Toure
“just out of form a little”
I have also never asked for my opinion to be held any higher than anybody elses. Not once!
Liked kompany’s reaction to the red…absolute fury without losing the respect for the referee that again shows his class. I’d have clichy over all other left backs in prem. Baines maybe? Hoped for more from garcia’s header. Maybe taking his ariel prowess for granted already. Did anyone else chuckle at Barry’s attempt at a stepover gone wrong down the left early on? No mention of tevez’s beautiful assist. In slo mo even more impressive touch. Dzeko’s missed header from close range, and a lazy lofted pass in the second half didn’t do his game any favors. I would like to continue to see him start however.
The Yaya Toure comment is not my opinion but what other people who go week in week out say. This point was in relation to your opinion which is very different even though you also like to mention how you go, read it and understand it before you attempt to be sarcastic next time.
About your second comment- You have stated several times in the past how you can tell the difference between someone who goes to games like yourself compared to those who don’t go. E.g. people who don’t go think Yaya is great, whereas someone like yourself who watches at the stadium, thinks he is not that influential. This I’m afraid is effectively regarding your opinion higher than others who don’t go to games.