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Manchester City saw their hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title take a blow as they went down 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates in the blockbuster, top-billing clash.Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud struck in the final 15 minutes of the first half to give the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead at the break, whilst Yaya Toure’s late effort failed to spark a comeback for the Citizens and it was deemed a mere consolation as they were eventually consigned to their 5th loss of the season.With Manuel Pellegrini’s reigns now dangling by a thread, here are some of the major talking points from North London.
#1 A top-drawer clash that flatters to deceive
Arsenal versus Manchester City usually promises more than just what the fixture name suggests. It has been a clash whose results project the potential winner of the title, in the last few seasons. So it was quite damning to see such a colossal contest turning out to be a mere damp squib this time around.
The two sides were expected to go all guns blazing for this crucial tie, but Arsenal and City took their time to come into the game. The first half an hour lacked any kind of buoyancy as teams waited to attack only on the counter while it was two moments of brilliance from Ozil, Walcott and Giroud that saved the first stanza from being a debacle.
The Sky Blues, who were supposed to go full throttle in the second half in the wake of taking something away from this game, cut a desolate figure even after the break and Toure’s glorious effort in the final 10 minutes of ther match was the only defining moment for the visitors.
#2 Counter-attack vs Counter-attack
The distinct theme of this game appeared to be counter-attacking, with both sides refusing to take the game straight to one another. The Gunners let City have the possession and then tried to hit them on the break, whereas the visitors attempted to sting them back on the counter again.
Although a win was the only motive with which the two sides took to the field, the proceedings suggested otherwise. Until Walcott’s opener, the game was running short of genuine moments as Arsenal and City traded a few punches, but refrained from triggering that sucker-punch.
The men from Manchester made a limp attempt to push in the second stanza, whereas Arsenal were lacking the cutting edge to finish off the moves they so brilliantly started on the break.
With both side’s reluctance to attack at full pelt, creativity was at a backseat with counter-attacking on the forefront for a large swathe of the game.
#3 Is this the season of reckoning for Giroud?
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has hit the throttle this term, firing goals left, right and centre. The Frenchman got off to a sluggish start to the campaign but has eventually gotten into the groove.
Top-scorer for the North Londoners this term, the former Montpellier striker accrued another peach of a strike to add to his already impressive tally. Collecting the ball from Ozil from the edge of the area, Giroud shimmied past his marker to unleash a powerful effort through the legs of Joe Hart to give his side a comfortable lead just minutes before half-time.
That was his 10th goal in the league and 15th overall and now needs just 8 more goals to surpass his best ever season tally of 22 goals he registered in the 2013/14 season. On current form, it’s only a matter of time before he does that, but more importantly, Giroud has been refining his status as the man for big occasions.
#4 Ozil to the rescue once again
Mesut Ozil seems hell-bent on shrugging off all the flak he received last term by laying a barrage of assists this season. The Arsenal No.10 was to be credited for both of his side’s goals in this game and took his assist-tally for the season to an eye-popping 15 in the league.
Having found Walcott unmarked at the edge of the box, Ozil laid a pass to the England international who struck a terrific volley into the bottom corner, and then fed another beautiful pass to Giroud after a counter, and the Frenchman made no mistake from a tight angle.
Ozil wreaked havoc in City’s defense by drifting between the lines, creating spaces, and laying impeccable crosses, thereby underlining his impact. The German has been terrific for the Gunners this term, and can guide his side to the Premier League title if he continues in the same vein.
#5 City remain blunt on their travels
For a team like Manchester City that vaunts perhaps the most stellar attacking riches of the league within it’s ranks, goals should never have been an issue. However, away from home this season, they’ve been left starving for the same. And at the Emirates last night, the tale was no different.
Despite having Sergio Aguero back in the team to lead the line, City hardly ever threatened and the smatterings of chances they managed to produce were dealt with effectively by a rigid Arsenal backline.
City enjoyed a greater share of possession but lacked a sense of verve in the attack to really test Petr Cech. Kevin de Bruyne, who stemmed most of his side’s attack, was wayward with his efforts whereas Aguero, Bony and Sterling were not influential enough.
Toure’s late effort was rendered unavailing as City need to be more clinical to salvage atleast a point from such games, or better kiss adieu to the title.
