Monday, December 2, 2024

Match Report: Man City 1-0 Arsenal

The Arsenal put in one of their gutsiest performances in recent memory at the Etihad Stadium this evening, but return to London empty handed after David Silva’s second half strike proved the difference for Roberto Mancini’s table-toppers.

The last time the Gunners travelled to Manchester only the fans returned to London with any credit. This time the players can hold their heads high. It was an almighty game – a tense, tight, frantic, 90 minutes of end-to-end pre-Christmas action. It will linger long in the memory.

From the offset there were chances. City could have taken the lead after eight minutes when the dangerous and tricky Aguero blazed over. The Argentine wriggled free of his markers on several further occasions, but found Szczesny in dazzling form. The Pole was superb throughout the first 45 minutes claiming balls in the box and holding pretty much every shot. He led from the back.

Having struggled to maintain possession initially, the Gunners eventually settled with Song marshalling the midfield and Ramsey roaming with increasing swagger in the final third. Arteta was quietly effective, Gervinho a terrific outlet on the left and Van Persie proving himself a very physical presence for the City backline.

While Aguero and Silva had chances to break the deadlock for the home side, it was Gervinho who nearly did just that with Arsenal’s first real attack. The Ivorian linked up well with Walcott and Song before arrowing a low drive which forced Hart to scramble the ball past the post. From the resulting corner Ramsey produced another save from the England stopper.

Periods of intense action were interspersed by long spells of midfield scrapping. Szczesny produced a stunning save from a Balotelli shot in the six yard box and then got down well to deny Aguero. At the other end a Van Persie effort was nearly forced in by Ramsey although the Welshman unfortunately made contact with Kolo Toure rather than the ball.

While opportunities in the first half were hard earned and the result of impressive build-up play, it was the pressing and energy shown by both sides that really caught the eye. At the break Graeme Souness on Sky Sports went so far as to describe it as the best game he’d seen this season – high praise given there were no goals at that point.

Two minutes into the second half and Johan Djourou limped off – it was to prove something of a turning point. The Swiss appeared to pull his groin in the first half and was replaced by Miquel. It forced a reshuffle with the young Spaniard going to left-back, Vermaelen moving inside and Koscielny moving to the right.

Five minutes later as the defence came to terms with the change in personnel and responsibilities, City scored. Balotelli beat a rather ragged attempt at offside before smashing a hard shot to Szczesny’s left. The Pole stopped the initial effort but was helpless when the rebound was bundled home by Silva from close range. It was a bit of a shambles really.

Within seconds Walcott, who’d been quiet in the first half, nearly levelled with a ferocious long-range effort. Hart tipped the ball over the bar, before Van Persie had a goal disallowed for offside. It was tight. Very tight.

The pace was unrelenting. Aguero had a great shot which beat Szczesny but thankfully raced past the post. Then Nasri went through on goal and instead of shooting played a daft ball across the box which went out for a goal kick. It was a real let off.

Brilliance from Gervinho set up Van Persie. Again Hart saved. Over exuberance from Szczesny after a Silva free-kick saw a quick throw out end up at the feet of Zabaleta. The Argentine subsequently crashed a shot against the post from outside the box. Van Persie was then called offside again as his diving header forced another stop from Hart.

On 68 minutes Walcott, who’d probably been the team’s least effective player, was replaced by Arshavin. He wasn’t happy about it and muttered a few choices words (Theo not Andrei). The Russian’s first taste of the action was an awful cross from a great position on the edge of the City box. It pretty much summed up his 2011 and he didn’t get much better.

Arteta received a yellow and nearly a second in the space of a minute. Then we had a half-hearted claim for a penalty when the ball hit Richards’ hand. A shattered looking Mertesacker was replaced by Chamakh as Wenger threw caution to the wind at a time when Mancini took off Balotelli and sent on the more conservative Milner.

In the final ten minutes the Gunners desperately pushed forward but found it tough trying to conjure a clear cut chance. Arshavin snatched at an effort with two minutes left – he should have done much better.  A clever free-kick then saw Vermaelen whack an effort goalwards which Hart AGAIN saved. Deep into stoppage time the Belgian took it upon himself to try one last effort only for his curled effort to go wide. It was brave stuff from the Gunners, but not quite enough.

The unbeaten run may be over, but we’ve no time to dwell. It’s Aston Villa on Wednesday night and with Song banned (after picking up his fifth booking), Djourou likely to be out and Mertesacker a possible doubt we’re going to have to dig deep to get back on track.

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Ian allinson's tache

Song out!- phil dowd is a cunt!

gooneroli

Song out? not in a bad way right? the lad played his socks off for us! wud of liked to see rosicky come on instead of Arshavin though, that lad, hes just got to go, playing like an over laboured donkey with artheritis!

argonaut

Not a total disaster with Frimpong and Coquelin available as is Rosicky who can also do a job in that position if required.

Goonerski

Everyone can make excuses why we didn’t win. The last 7 years can tell you why we didn’t win. The fact that we are happy about bring mediocre is the thing that disturbs me the most. When is the last time we have beaten a top 4 team that was in form, not talking about Chelsea when they were clearly hopeless against us. But a team that was in top form? Our players are little weaklings that get push around all day long. The last 7 years isnt the players fault, sadly it is the managers fault. However because arsene… Read more »

Pascal Zidane

Sorry “Goonerski”, your contribution here is dire and forgettable and it’s time to move on in with your life. Retire from the internet for the sake of everyone, please.

Steve

There is a team dressed in sky blue full of fans like you. You will be lost in the masses but not missed here, so toddle off now Goonerski and go support the money.

Seb

Disappointed that we didn’t draw but can’t fault the performance. Arteta, miquel and vermealen were brilliant.

Seb

Also, forgot to mention, both keepers were insane today, this game should have been 3-3 or something

GoonerForLife

sorry to say but that makes no sense. Both keepers were indeed on today but that would mean that it would be a very low scoring game…which it was.

highberry

….

MJB

As was SZcz

Anon

It was so close and level that it really made the loss that much more painful to take. I really didn’t have any hopes of defeat until the final 30 seconds somehow. Good open game but really, shame about the result. Nevertheless, pretty good performance, but as Orbinho said on Twitter, Arsenal would be closer to title challengers if they didn’t have at least one passenger every match. Also decently encouraging appearance from Chamakh. I like the bloke and really hope he can build on this. And hahaha Nasri for MotM. Whatever happened to Joe Hart? All the media outlets… Read more »

Arsmart

A performance that bought me immense pride! Well done lads (n the travelling fans)

Hashkibob

A sound showing from all (bar result sadly) in what is very possibly the toughest fixture of the season on paper right now. But above that I gotta say, Thomas vermaelen, what a player. His desire was unmatched on either side. There aren’t many teams in England, nay Europe, that wouldn’t want this guy on their books. I hope he knows what his commitment means to the fans while others may stall on putting their loyalty to paper. Utmost respect.

Johan

Agreed, but I must say that today Kosc was just as good before he switched to right back.
Mertesacker, on the other hand, still looks a bit weak. He sometimes doesn’t even get off the ground in areal duels and we almost conceded right away when he was pushed off the ball by Ballotelli in the box.

Anon

Vermaelen is immense. He needs to be a striker one day, it feels incredibly reassuring and encouraging whenever he is forward. I’d say Koscielny did provide more thrust than Djourou though. They aren’t really pacy but Kos is better at keeping the ball and dribbling with his strength. Mertesacker is generally more lanky than buff, thus why Kos and Verm have better aerial duel won statistics than Per in most matches, but he did have a cool head on occasions where it really mattered, though his quiet effectiveness makes it hard for some to see that. A bit like Arteta… Read more »

Ajax

For the record, Koscielny is incredibly quick, at lest as fast as Gervinho.

MJB

Although we lost we played a blinder of a game. I’m amazed that we can stave off this kind of opposition. 1-0, so what? That makes us the second best team in the premier league and without the kzillions it takes citeh to build a decent team.

Nobodcy could have stopped that goal either, two rebounds and it’s in. Szczney is a hero in my book.

Blue Moony

Phew, at least he’s not a cunt like the rest of em. 5th best don’t you mean 🙂

Steve

I think he means in term of conceding, as in we didn’t concede 6 at home…..

Arsenal4Life

@Blue Moon
Hey why are you posting comments on an Arsenal site ? I guess your sheik hasn’t bought you a fan site… But fear not, he’ll spend another 20m of quid to make you glory hunters happy. Anyways we won 4 FA cups and 3 PL titles ( under Wenger ), and you’ve so far invested 500m quid and won 1 FA cup. So how much money you’ll need to achieve what Wenger has? Has your sheik got deep enough pockets. Stay tuned to ”Premier Suggardaddy Blue Boys” and find out…
ARSENAL4LIFE

Rob'67

Sorry but ‘gutsiest’ doesn’t win matches. We were certainly a thousand times better than the OT debacle. But City have the class in players like Silva and Ageuero that we once had – but now have no longer. Walcott was pathetic in that first half and for him to whinge at Rice after being substituted was outrageous. Arshavin should be shipped out either as a sale or a loan as soon as this transfer window opens. And there are a couple of others that need to join him. We need Jack back, Ramsey to muscle up and stop playing stupid… Read more »

Chordios

Oh. You lot are back again?

Frog

I’m sorry but who are you?

MJB

It’s Rob ’67. Keep up! 😉

Frog

I my bad. It is rob 67. What a first post eh? Wanker67 more like it

MJB

ROFL!

Wanker67, CLASSIC!!

Cheers Frog!

Blue Moony

MJB you kiss arse…

Arsenalkid700

Its funny. I remember Rob commenting here when Wenger was going through his Reign of Terror but then he stopped but now we lose and here he is again. Typical.

Jekyll

This guy has some valid points but hasn’t been reverential so is slated. Why is Arshavin still the one brought on when we’re chasing a game? He’s been ineffective for so very long now. And this season is a battle for 4th, let’s not pretend otherwise. Also, let’s not reach the point where we’re actually happy with narrow defeats, that’s for far lesser clubs.

Steve

It’s a narrow defeat against a team whose first choice strikers almost cost more than our entire first team combined. Considering the start of the season, what’s happened since and the fact we were supposed to lose heavily, the fans have every right to be proud of a narrow defeat. I bet you’re proud when we win 1-0 aren’t you?

Sabrina

A narrow defeat to a team who has a goal difference of 35 with only 16 games played is nothing to stick your nose up at, especially a team who put 6 past the reigning champions.

Lord Teddy Ears

Rob you twat have a look at how much these tossers have spent and how many players we have out. If RVP goes we will find someone else as we did with Cesc and that horse face lady flower.

I dont want RVP to go but FFS as Arsenal fans we can hold our heads high at the fight, grit and balls.

In Arsene we trust and in the board I would happily string up from a tree.

MJB

RVP is @Arsenal 4 EVER!!!!

Blue Moony

You sure?…

Pascal Zidane

I dont understand why the guy has to get abuse just bc he holds different views to yours. Rob has some valid points, show some respect. We should never be happy with a defeat.

The sight of Chamakh and Arshavin coming on had me up the walls. I dont care how many millions City spent more than us, we are Arsenal, I want to win. We could’ve won today, they were there for the taking.

We have resources, we can afford quality players. We should not be banking on useless Arshavin and MC. Unacceptable.

Steve

It’s because he’s had this sort of reaction before and his ideas are ‘Football Manager’ shrouded nonsense. He also doesn’t seem to understand that Man City have changed the face of transfers and that while Arsenal could get the top class players in the past, as Wenger knew their weren’t many teams that could compete financially or even had his sort of scouting network, other teams have realised this and now spread as wide as Arsenal. For every attempt to get an Henry, there will be Man City, Chelsea, Utd, Real, Barcelona, PSG, etc… ready to competely outbid us. Yes… Read more »

Gabe

to be fair to theo i remember at least 4/5 times when he took up great positions for the break and just no one played him in. also i didnt understand bringing on arshavin, the bloke hasnt hit form in years and is starting to get that perennially-depressed Almunia look about him. otherwise, good fucking effort lads, more of the same midweek!

MJB

Go and support ‘CITEH’ then. (twat)

Goonarmy

Proud of the boys today. Arteta and Vermaelen especially, those two showed a lot of bottle. Tis a real shame we undeservedley lost but considering Citeh spent close £1 billion on their team; we’re not far off.

Oh and they’re classless twats aswell. Announcing Nasri as MOTM, Barry and Richards trying to get our players sent off. If you ever needed a reason to hate them, then there you have it. Cunts.

Cromulus

Bongionrno Signore Felipe Dowd!

Une miile grazie for not give obvious penalty Arsenale!

Happy Christmas present U 2 Me!

– Love, Roberto.

Seb

Another point. Belgiums centre defense partnership of vermealen/ kompany looks brilliant, both were beasts today

Johan

They also have a pretty decent 5’7″ left winger playing for Lille.

Davey Jones

Really I don’t think I’ve heard of him? Has he been linked with any transfers recently?

GiantGooner

Verm plays LB for Belgium for some reason…

Steve

It’s because they also play Daniel Van Buyten in the centre, to add height to their backline.

Ajax

Well done to the Arsenal tonight, we competed brilliantly for the full 90 against their team of mercenary galactico wannabe’s and were unlucky not to grab a point. The travelling support was also fantastic, great to see them in full voice, and it fills you with pride to see the Man City “Faithful” (three quarter full stadium anyone?) outsung. I was pleased to see Miquel come on and not look phased at all, he’s got great heart and spirit that lad, and can be very proud of his performance. I thought our best performers were Song, Arteta, Vermaelen and Koscielny… Read more »

Merlin's Whistle

Now they’ve rubbed their daddys money in our face for 90 minutes he’ll go right back to the bench

Deano

I honestly can’t remember the last time I
saw the Arsenal battle so hard and close down the opposition so quickly. Despite our full back decimation we stood toe to toe against a full strength £400m team and helped produce a wonderful spectacle (for the neutral). We have nothing to be ashamed of and no one to be afraid of. Up the Arsenal they done us proud today.

Young Gooner

Dissapointed that we gave Na$ri some times to smile.

MJB

What do you suggest? Rip his head off?

Young Gooner

Something like that

MJB

I’m happy with that! 🙂

Lord Teddy Ears

And shit in the hole

Merlin's Whistle

Glue factory

Dave Gooner

He’s a shameless little prostitute. Forget him.

He’s average at best. As he has amply demonstrated since he left, it was Arsenal made him look good, not the other way round.

Comedian

Why sub off mertesacker when Ramsey was having a shocker reminded me the times when i shouted on my tele for Arsene to hear me up sub him . And that jogging back thing after losing the ball which led to the goal.
And what was with walcott reaction at being subbed he didnt get back enough to defend in the game and did hardly anything going forward ofcourse he was gonna get subbed.
It was good performance by the team except for the above two.

Witoldo

To be fair to Walcott, if you compare the number of chances Walcott created while sitting on the bench to the number of chances Arshavin created in his 25 minutes on the field, they are equal.

Steve

Did you not see Walcott playing FIFA 12 on his iPhone? Arshavin played a blinder…..

Rich

Thats all the big teams played away out of the way, not including Liverpool. Got them all to come to the Emirates, not out of the running by any means. Gervinhos final decisions were poor again, seems to always take an extra touch or keeps the ball a second too long. He gets in the right positions and once hes had a season to settle in I think he will shine next year.

Arsenalkid700

Liverpool are a big team?

TenaciousDee

I think they used to be… must check the history books. Ah, yes… says here they once played us in a title-deciding match back in the late 20th century. I remember, Mickey Thomas thrashed around like a salmon out of water after scoring a dramatic late goal.

Frog

If we don’t catch our injury bug this December- January, we’re going to win the champions league. What thais arsenal side lacks in technique and skill, it makes up for in heart and determination. I was skeptical at first, but I can honestly see us winnin something this year.

MJB

I totally agree. Yes! 😉

Blue Moony

I doubt it 😉

Dave Gooner

Well Blue, it seems we are already in the CL in Feb., what has all that money bought you? Thursday night football, that’s what.

Ha hahahahaha.

Blue Moony

Well Dave Gooner, we’re still in the league cup at your expense and top of the Premier League. We won the FA cup last season and will hopefully win more this season. Makes me laugh that you all throw FFP at us when in reality, you want your owners to pump some funds into players and wages instead of property developing. Your just jealous. Oh by the way. You wouldn’t have progressed from our CL group either…
Up Yours 🙂

Steve

Neither did you Moony

Lord Teddy Ears

Today I want to kiss the frog !!!!

SamPye

This Arsenal side lacks technique and skill?! Did you see Van Persie’s goal against Everton??

This Arsenal side has plenty of technique and skill and we’re lacking anything it’s some strength in depth. With a couple of players coming back from injury (what a novelty it’d be to have even 1 healthy fullback!) and a signing or 2 in January we’ll be fine. Have some faith.

We can be really proud of the team today and I hope they take the positives from the game and the performance.

Frog

Yes we do lack some technique in and skill when compared to some of the sides we’ve put out the past few years. That’s not a bad thing though. I’d much prefer 11 less skilled guys busting there ass for 95 minutes than to have a bunch of primadonnas who think they’re to good to get stuck in. And yes, I am aware that rvp is a gifted technical player. Read the whole bloody post before commenting. And p.p.s. fuck this blue moony jack off. I didn’t hear him talking much the last 125 years. What a faggot ehh. Who… Read more »

Blue Moony

Faggott eh FROG. I get you know all about them you homophobe.
Up The Arse nal 🙂

Blue Moony

thais
skeptical
winnin

gooneroli

Arshavin and Chamakh, what an impact from the bench!

feygooner

None at all!

gooneriffic

If we had our fullbacks with us today we would’ve won. Its just like Jamie said, the difference was that City had their FB who could make runs forward and open up the game, Kos and Miq played well but are not fullbacks therefore we did’nt have that dimension in our attack. I think Walcott was invisible in the first half but he should have stayed on the pitch (Arshavin didn’t provide us with anything..as usual). A great performance from both teams and I, like Wenger, have feelings of both pride and frustration. I think what is needed in January… Read more »

MJB

Jamie is a cunt. Lets just leave at that.

gooneriffic

He did raise valid points, don’t be ignorant, we all saw Micah Richards making runs, Zabaleta was quite offensive as well, how often didn’t you see our FB facing 2 players on the flanks (but then getting support from a midfield player!). What Jamie said was that we missed Sagna, Gibbs and Santos today.

Furthermore he is absolutely correct about the January transfer window. Few players available and those that are are massively overpriced.

MJB

He’s still a cunt though.

Blue Moony

Yeah you tell em…

Devil

Lets just get Henry. I hope they announce this week that we’ve got him on loan. And call back another Henri, whose playing at WHU right now. Ask any West Ham supporter how good he is. He has something that Gervinho doesn’t. That is an eye for goal. Call back Kyle as well. He’ll do better. Next game make Theo sit on the bench and let Ox play. Wenger has to get ruthless just as he used to be when he first arrived. Benching Ian Wright for 17 yr old Anelka. Lets get behind the team and rip the PL… Read more »

Devil

Idk why I get thumbs down but I’d very much like Henry coming on for last 20mins then Chamakh and Lansbury is a good player. He has habit of nicking goals. Plus with Gervinho going we need his back up, so its better we recall him and start playing him and we’re short on defensive players. So, we better call Bartley back.

Steve

1. A lot of fans don’t want Henry to destroy his reputation for a months loan that could go very wrong. The team play a different type of game that when Henry was last captain and i remember he was fairly selfish towards the end with his play. He openly admitted this and used this as one of the reasons for leaving, to give the younger players a chance to work as more of a team. 2. Lansbury is doing well in the Championship, which is actually fairly weak this year. He is also a midfielder and not a wide… Read more »

Devil

1 About Henry, if you saw him play well against us while he played for Red Bull against us, he still can hold up the ball better then Chamakh. That pass that led to goal against us was awesome. He can play Bergkemp role while he is with us and let RvP play the Henry role when we’re chasing the game like yesterday. 2. Lansbury whenever he played for first team has played right side of midfield and yes he and Gervinho are different kind of players but if he plays in this team, he’ll be much better. And we… Read more »

Steve

I didn’t say he couldn’t do it but Henry played against us for another team and you have no idea if he could play in the #10 role as he doesn’t and hasn’t ever played there. Even when playing for france with Trezeguet, he didn’t play there. There is no information to back up your argument that Lansbury would come into our central midfield (which is his natural position) and suddenly be great against Premier League opposition. He is no better than the players we have there right now. Also, a little look shows that Henri has played 8 games… Read more »

Runcorn Gooner

Why bring on Arshavin.Every time he comes
on he looks totally ill at ease and his control
of the ball is embarrassing.
He has to be shipped out in January.
Great match to watch.Could have got a draw
but if we show the same commitment we will
get 4th place.
P.S. Theo grow up.You were rubbish today
and you were quite rightly taken off.shame
about your replacement being no better.

Glory hunter

I think it was the fact that he was getting replaced by Arsh that pissed him off!
In that case fair play to Theo!

TenaciousDee

You can see from the reaction of Arshavin’s own teammates (when he fluffed things up) that they’re now increasingly frustrated with his level of performance. Sadly it’s been going on for too long… it’s time for him to go. Or at least promote someone like Ox – he’s not going to give the ball away or defend any worse than Arshavin.

JVC

Why the fcuk was Theo kissing ass today…

First with Le Cunt and Mario before kick off, and then fist bumping Hart in our attacking blitz soon after they scored

Im all for sportsmanship, but ffs not with City and especially not when you haven’t signed a contract as yet

Steve

I did not see the sense in bring Walcott off, as when he went to 4-4-2, he could have played as a striker for the last 10 minutes and had Rosicky or Benayoun out wide.

Luke

Well done from the Arsenal. Decent result. We can’t possibly compete with a team worth more than half a billion pounds of talent, and I feel 1-0 is the best we could hope for. Now bring on Aston Villa.

Frog

No the beat that I hoped for was 7 nil hammering of those lame cunts. Well get em at the grove.

Luke

I hear ya…but let’s not fool ourselves, in the world we live in, money can get you pretty much everything, and now City have way too much quality for us to compete with them. I sincerely hope we tear them a new one at the grove, but unfortunately that’s not very likely.
We’re just gonna have to accept it and get on with it.

Frog

What the fuck are you talking about Luke? We can’t compete with them? We lost 1 nil. We easily could have won today. We should have had a penalty and we could have got 3 more.

Arsene wenger has had this team punching way above its weight for a long time now. Don’t be such a defeatist pussy. Up the arse and fuck citeh and anyone else who isn’t the arsenal.

Steve

That’s one of your most positive comments frog. He has indeed punched above his weight and considering Liverpool spent 100 mil this summer, and we are above them, shows that he still knows what he’s doing. Once those players cross that white line, all his tactics can go to shit if they don’t follow them. Yesterday they followed them and it was down to the defence change that they scored. Miguel needed 5-10 minutes to get into the flow of the game, as shown throughout the rest of the match, but unfortunately that’s when they scored. On another day, the… Read more »

Frog

Thanks arsene. While I feel losing is never acceptable, it’s lame to say we can’t compete. It was entirely possible that we could have won that game yesterday 4 nil. We had chances and we played an organized defensive game. Fuck citeh, 100 billion wouldn’t be enough to buy those diving whining cunts a bit of class.

Devil

It is not just about money. It is about togetherness, spirit, big heart. We had players that could have won it for us. History will always tell you if you have courage and heart from the beginning to end you’ll win. Today I was talking to a friend and I told him, we’ll win today because we don’t have any other option. But we didn’t. Breaks my heart. And tbh now football is not just a game anymore. It is more than that. If Arsenal lose we’re down for many days till we win again. Its like a GF, who… Read more »

Luke

Oh come on man this is not a manga. The power of love and unity will get you nowhere against billions, a team of world class talents and a good manager.
The only way we could compete against them right now is if we had extremely talented players coming from the academy, ready to deliver ala Barcelona.
I’m not being pessimistic, far from it, I’m just trying to accept the fact that money will always win, unless you’re Barcelona.

Devil

@Luke,

It is all possible if ref is not Phil Dowd. I hate him to all my guts. Last season he cost us New Castle and Spurs games. Why is he always the one to officiate in our big games and he always bottles up?

cameron

Every time arsenal lose it literally feels like someone is punching my heart, nun the less im proud of the team today but feel with out a doubt one new signing is needed in january. btw Arshavin, i cant take him any more he,s poorness is having a negative effect on the team.

MJB

I was 90% sure we would beat ’em . We didn,t but, strangely, it STILL feels like a victory for me. Work that out?!

Blue Moony

I’m trying… Lol 🙂

Goon Mate

Im proud of the lads’ performance today.. And Oh. Phil Dowd is a Fucking Fat Twat!

Glory hunter

From the moment I realised it was Phil Dowd officiating, the best we could have gotten is a point!
That guys is bigger cunt than Na$ri!

bag o weasles

what a horrible person you are calling someone a bigger cunt than Le CUNT I mean i really dont like the guy but thats just sick!

Thorough

An Arsenal loss that actually looks like a win. It was a big game and we showed up. We were better than what I have modestly thought we were. It took the ingenuity of Hart to save the moneybags. Welldone lads, I am proud of you. But these kind of games also makes us ask a lot of sincere questions and I am going to ask them even though some may call me a ‘doomer’. 1. Do we really think Ramsey is the best playmaker we can give this team, irrespective of our injuries. I will gladly put Benayoun, Rosicky… Read more »

Pirate gun

No one is a bigger cunt than na$ri. But yes, dowd is still a massive, dirty, blue waffle cunt. But as I say, not as big as na$ri.

Charlie

Arshavin is absolute shit and should never play again. Especially when we have amazing youngsters like oxlade chamberlain chomping at the bit for a chance, even in a bench role.

Hashkibob

Yea kos was very good also. He doesn’t seem to put a foot wrong these days

Rich

He is indeed a fat twat. Fullbacks did make a massive difference today, would there have been such space down the wing before their goal in Sagna was playing? No. With a fully fit team we are up there, problem is that never seams to be the case. Proud of the lads today though. Vermaelen is complete and utter quality, both in ability and spirit, so pleased he signed a new deal.

faizal

What a performance from vermaelin! We are the arsenal. COYGS.

ManBearPig

Important test today & a great effort by the lads… Gave 110% and our away fans were, as usual fantastic. Bring on Villa. The game today highlighted the ‘void’ left by Cesc. As good as Ramsey is (can’t fault his commitment), he doesn’t have the ability to consistently produce like Cesc used to…(hopefully he makes me eat my verbal diarrhea). However, can’t wait to see Wilshere in there as i believe he has the ‘X’ factor & would be immense. Arshavin needs a slap & kicking out the club. He has consistently been producing a steaming pile of shite for… Read more »

Steve

Actually the game highlighted the void left by Wilshere and his ability to hold the game up to within an inch of its life. Fabregas, for all his technique, just wasn’t greatly known for his defensive work and tracking back, unlike Arteta.
I feel Ramsey is still learning and is being given a different sort of game to play and is having to learn as he goes.
There is so much more of a team feel now Fabregas has gone and the fact the ball doesn’t need to go through one player and we are spreading it around again.

Martin Keown is my hero

100%, by definition, is the maximum anyone can give. Just saying.

arsenal fan

does anyone know when sagnas back? cant wait for his return. and also gibbs?

GiantGooner

Gibbs next week. Sagna is supposedly at some point in January, though that feels a little optimistic given how ugly the injury was.

Arsenalkid700

We can’t thank Spurms for that

Arsenalkid700

oops meant to say CAN

Eric Irish gunner

Great effort vermaelam fucking excellant, nasri your a cunt

gooneriffic

I think Walcott was pissed by the fact that he was being subbed for Arshavin! If it was Benny or someone he’d prolly be fine, that says it all! ARSHAVIN OUT! someone hire a zeppelin!!!

Fatgooner

I thought that we gave a very good account of ourselves against a City team which I have no doubt will win the Premier League. With a bit of luck we could have got something out of the game. Had Djourou not gone off injured then Baliotelli would never have found the space to set up the winning goal. And at the end we could have easily nicked an equaliser. Things are actually looking up for us now. We have had a really tough first half of the season, playing all of our main competitors away. From now on the… Read more »

Steve

Holy shit!!!! *rubs eyes* Fatgooner has written a fairly positive comment??? Can’t be right, surely….

Fatgooner

Yes. You’re doing a good job, Arsene. Just buy us a striker next month, ok?

Frog

I love how you call him arsene. Classic.

Steve

I will certainly try. I hear David Villa may be available for cheap and Diaby needs some company. He got the room all ready for Robin, but he keeps on going.

Blue Moony

So FATGOONER, you do want your owners to buy you better players after all, how hypocritical…

Frog

Hey fat, remember not so long ago we were getting run off of this blog for saying arshavin and chamakh need to be shipped out? Now everyone and there mother is singing that song. What’s up with that?

Fatgooner

We’re the smartest bloggers on this site, Frog. It just takes the others a while to catch up.

Steve

Oh and you ruined it

Frog

Hahahahhaha classic.

German guy

Did I just overread it, or does everyone fail to mention that City are just a lot of scumbags? Well, they are.
Over the course of 90 minutes I have seen some of the nastiest follow-throughs this season, Barry, Yaya Toure, Aguero, you name them.
Of course you can blame Phil Dowd for not punishing it (and I wholeheartedly agree) but this team is a bunch of thugs. Bah, how I hate them. How very much I hate them.

We deserved better from this game. But we return with our heads held high and that’s the most important thing.

Merlin's Whistle

Amen. They’re just a bunch of cloggers with a bunch of other clubs first teamers riding the pine.

gooner

It’s very ‘legal’ to hit Arsenal players with nasty tackles because ‘they are not physical’

Chris

Delusional. City could have had four or five, and van Persie was well offside.

Glory hunter

Kompany was actually playing RVP on!
Put that in your Shisha & smoke it!!!

Blue Moony

Classless!! My word that’s rich coming from Arsenal fans. I actually think you played very well today, but you were still lucky it wasn’t 3:0 as our finishing was very poor…
3 quarters full, it was a sell out you plonker.
It was good to see your fans making some noise for once as it’s like a library at the emirates…
Up Yours
Blue Moony 🙂

MJB

That’s ‘OIL’ rich coming from a team that’s been built up by Billions in the last 5 years against a team that it’s own dosh and a history that dates back 125 years.

Next year we will see what substance over style REALLY means.

Blue Moony

Yes, 7 years without a trophy…

MJB

Zzzzzzzzzz……..

Pirate gun

How many trophies you In the last 131 years? Just one isn’t it? Yeh nice one. Money cant buy class though can it? You can’t even get you player to stop fighting each other in training. Scumbags. Everyone of you. Only a smurf should look to a blue moon.

Blue Moony

Pirate Gun
Do you really believe that City have only won 1 trophy in their history. Check your facts you ignorant muppet…

Man Shitty

fuck off, plastic cunt.

Blue Moony

Ooh plastic now… Do you think you’ll still love RVP when he’s wearing sky blue?

Steve

Coventry can’t afford to buy him you muppet

argonaut

Channel 5. 😉

Blue Moony

Ooh that’s like a dagger in the heart. Haven’t we beaten you twice recently home and away. Blackburn could have progressed from your group. Actually, didn’t they beat you to?
Up Yours
Blue Moony 🙂

Frog

Spursday night.

argonaut

Moony,

Enjoy your moment in the sun. You do realise that very soon the Fifa Fair Play rules kick in and you’ll have a very tough job meeting the requirements, so better try and win as much as you can while you have the money available. When the money stops flowing so freely, how are you going to attract players or even keep the ones you have? You won’t. They’ll bugger off like the bunch of mercenaries they are.

Then we’ll see who has the last laugh.

Witoldo

Apparently, Man City fans don’t know how to spell. It’s m-o-n-e-y, not m-o-o-n-y. Get it right Blue Money, FFS.

Blue Moony

That’s me done for, what a wit… 🙂

Nubbles

I seriously congratulate you for growing some balls to come to boast about your 1-0 win against a team which is half the value and sustaining 10 injuries on home turf.

How about growing a dick now while you’re at it? Oh wait a minute, he already is one. Now you can stop having wet dreams about Nasri and wank to his picture instead.

Blue Moony

X 🙂

Blue Moony

Is that what you used to do?..

Arsenalkid700

Ahhhh so Blue Moony… Man City fan sense 2010 I see

Andrew

7 years without a trophy? How was that 30 some odd years you had before the trophy you bought last season? Or how about being in the third tier just a little over a decade ago? Yea, fuck off.

Glory hunter

Lol Andrew don’t be silly, blue mooney doesnt know anything about Man citys history! he only started supporting them last season cos Spuds didn’t get into the champs lge!!!

arsenal fan

mate why don”t you just stick to your man city websites and blogs? you ignorant cunt fuck off from this website. your team is not a real team and soon enough arsenal will overtake you.

Voldermort

Worked there nuts off so can’t fault the effort, they have turned over most teams easily so far and we could have got a result with but more luck. Am proud of the team. But why the fuck do we have to suffer ashavin game after fucking game. And why chamack ? The bloke is going for 6 weeks , give park a chance or sell him if wenger doesnt thinks he’s good enough. If these two clowns are still with us in the summer then I won’t blame rvp if he signs for city.

Fatgooner

Excellent point about Chamakh. He has no future at Ashburton Grove.

Does anybody know whether or not Park is injured? He was not even on the subs bench today. If he is not injured then why was he not involved today?

Frog

Because we signed park to sell shirts in Asia, not the middle-eastlands.

Steve

I did not

ramgooner