Goals: Richards/Aluminia 20, Bellamy 74, Adebayor 80, Wright-Phillips 84 for City. Van Persie 62, Rosicky 88 for Arsenal.
Prior to the game, Emmanuel Adebayor said he never really understood why the Arsenal fans booed him. Well, I think it’s safe to say they’ll have a few reasons after the dust has settled on this match.
City lined up as predicted with De Jong coming in alongside Barry to bolster the defensive midfield and Adebayor played as a lone striker. Despite the sense in this approach, initially it didn’t appear to be working very well as Arsenal dominated possession and City struggled to do anything meaningful with the ball.
Then City scored. Sagna blocked Bellamy and Barry floated over the resulting free-kick. Richards won a header and the ball looped over towards the opposite post. A scrambling Almunia may have touched the ball onto the post before it rebounded back off him and into the net.
It was the third game in succession that we’ve scored from a set piece. Surely this is some kind of record in the modern era.
The goal lifted City and for the remainder of the first half we were breaking up Arsenal’s passing more easily. Wright-Phillips and Bellamy provided vital endeavour on the flanks, but lacked the finesse of Robinho in providing an end product. Ireland suffered similarly when failing to shoot or pass after a surge into the Arsenal area. There was the fear that this failure to make the most of a good spell could come back to haunt us.
Arsenal dominated the start of the second half without creating much, so Wenger brought on Rosicky. It made a big difference as possession was turned into openings. Van Persie duly scored and went off on what wasn’t to be the last provocative goal celebration of the afternoon.
At this point Arsenal were looking the more likely winners, but when Ireland went off (seemingly with a knock), Hughes made the bold decision to introduce Petrov. Given the pressure we were under he may have been tempted to bring on Zabaleta and shore up the midfield.
To make room for Petrov on the left, Bellamy moved up alongside Adebayor and immediately found himself in the penalty area to score the crucial second goal. It was a huge goal that released the pervading fear that the game was running away from us.
City were now overloading Arsenal on the left and Adebayor went on the kind of run not seen since the heyday of Kinkladze, setting up Wright-Phillips for a tap in which he duly missed.
Thankfully, the England winger made up for it shortly afterwards with an excellent cross for Adebayor to score his goal, and set off on a hilarious streak down the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans. They were not impressed. Watching FA Chief Executive and Arsenal fan, Ian Watmore was also not impressed.
Even after that City were not done. Bellamy showed fabulous commitment in dispossessing Clichy, before charging upfield. As he approached the penalty area, he played a perfect through ball to Wright-Phillips, who took a touch before lifting the ball over the onrushing Almunia. The composure of the finish was something I’d love to see more of from Shaun. Sometimes he needs to have greater belief in his finishing and show more control. He has the ability.
Three goals down, Arsenal were done for, but it says everything for their quality, that it never fully felt that way. Rosicky added a second and Van Persie hit the post before Mark Clattenburg finally blew for full-time.
Mark Hughes:
“It was a big test against a side used to playing with high expectations and that is used to winning. I sensed as the guys arrived at lunchtime that there was a real sense of anticipation. It was about getting the job done and that it what we did. Both sides contributed to a high quality match.”
Micah Richards:
“That attacking part of the game is something that I am trying to work on. People say that I am strong defensively but that I am perhaps not so strong in the other direction. I am still only young and I think I am starting to deliver in that department and feel my game is developing all the time.”
The result for City was huge, vindicating Hughes and making a statement that we can challenge the ‘top four’. Whether this is fully the case remains to be seen. Arsenal have Arshavin and Walcott to add to the team we saw today, which looked very good at times. After we beat them last season, they went on a twenty match unbeaten run, and I can see them beating most teams again this season. Last season we beat them by 3 goals and finished 10th. This season we won by 2 goals, but will undoubtedly finish higher. Just how high remains thrillingly unclear.
External reports:
BBC
The Guardian
The Independent
Official site
The Telegraph
The Times
Video:
All goals
The inimitable Phil Thompson describes the goals for Sky
Adebayor to Chariots of Fire
Blue Days
12 September 2009
Arsenal /
City entertain Arsenal with a 100% record this season, and as the only side in England yet to concede a goal. If City can come through the next two fixtures with those statistics intact, then many will feel the club are truly set to challenge for trophies. However it underlines the strength of the ‘top four’ that in the eyes of most neutrals City will be going into both games as underdogs.
Much of the focus against Arsenal will be on Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor. Prior to kick off, it will surely feel strange for Toure to be shaking hands with Fabregas as captain of the opposing side, even if he is sure to get a warm reception from the visiting fans. The same cannot be said for Adebayor who they used to boo even when he played for them, but it’s the Togolese they will fear more as he’s started his City career in outstanding form. He’s also got a point to prove.
Emmanuel Adebayor:
“These sort of things stay with you in your heart and it will stay with me not just for the rest of my career but the rest of my life.
“What you can see now is a confident player. I feel loved again and that’s why I’m smiling again.”
Against the Gunners, we can’t rely on poor finishing and Shay Given’s brilliance if we’re to keep another clean sheet. They’ll need to be some improvement in the defending, particularly stopping crosses coming in, better cover in front of the back four, and not letting the game get to stretched.
With the majority of players from both sides having featured for their national sides this week, at least Wright-Phillips, Bridge and Lescott will be fresh after watching England’s destruction of Croatia from the sidelines.
Tevez is definitely out with a tweaked knee, while Robinho’s fitness and form are also questionable. If he plays, this could be just the kind of game to bring out the best in the Brazilian. As was the case last year, he’s a potential match winner, not just with the goals, but also with his ability to unlock a defence.
Hughes on Robinho:
“He had a little bit of swelling on the ankle. We do not think there is a significant injury there but it is best to check to make sure there is no stress fracture. Once we get the results we can decide whether he plays tomorrow or not.”
With Tevez injured, there’s a lot of speculation that Nigel de Jong may get his first start of the season, providing a tough tackling barrier alongside Gareth Barry. This seems eminently sensible as we attempt to hold off Arsenal’s pass and move football, and it would allow Ireland to concentrate on the creative side of his game.
For Arsenal, it was a mixed week for injuries with Arshavin now ruled out, but Fabregas expected to return after playing for Spain. Rosicky also played during the week, but it’s doubtful Wenger will rush him back. Walcott is still working on his fitness.
Despite this, Wenger will still have a strong side at his disposal, and it could be one of the few home games we see this season where the opposition have a greater percentage of possession. As a result, concentration and keeping the team’s shape intact will be paramount. Arsenal are a team that can be frustrated, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hughes encourage a more physical approach to our tackling.
Mark Hughes:
“Arsenal are an outstanding side and if you allow them to dictate play and get their tails up they have the ability to hurt you.
“They have outstanding individual talents within a way of playing that allows them to create chances, and if they get it right on the day they can really hurt you.
“Ourselves, United and Chelsea are the only British teams to have beaten Arsenal in the past 10 months, which shows the consistency of results they are able to achieve.
“That’s what we’re aiming to do. We have great respect for what they can do when they’re in full flow.
“But they know we will be a test, certainly at home, where we were outstanding against them last season when we won 3-0.”
Arsenal have started the season in excellent form and could well have beaten United in their last match. A draw would be a good result, but as ever I’m hoping for a win.
Possible line-up: Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Ireland, Robinho, Wright-Phillips, Adebayor.
Prediction: 2-0 to City
Blue Days
11 September 2009
Arsenal /
Ever since it became clear that Richard Dunne wasn’t going to be an automatic choice this season, there has been intense speculation as to who the new captain might be. It may be a minor surprise to see Kolo Toure, but only due to the strength of the other candidates.
Here, we take a look at the captaincy qualities and leadership experience elsewhere in the current squad:
- Vincent Kompany – Last season Vincent impressed everyone with his maturity and composure off the pitch to go alongside some commanding performances on it. Everyone seemed to agree that he looked like a future captain.
- Pablo Zabaleta – Another who impressed last season, and who had previously captained Argentina to victory at the 2005 Under 20 World Cup in Holland.
- Shay Given – In January, City signed the then captain of Newcastle, who has also led the Republic of Ireland. At the age of 32, Shay also had the experience to go with a famed professionalism. Added to that was the advantage of being an automatic choice in the team.
- Craig Bellamy – The captain of Wales also joined in January. He may not be everybody’s idea of a role model, but his commitment on the pitch has won over the doubters. Hughes clearly trusts his fellow Welshman and has always been able to get the best out of him.
- Gareth Barry – The first of the Summer signings was the captain of Aston Villa, and the England midfielder looked to be the favourite for the armband in the new season. Hughes spoke effusively of Barry’s leadership qualities when announcing his signing.
- Stephen Ireland – Captained the side during pre-season following a storming 2008/09 season. Stevie’s found a new level of maturity and Hughes recently commented, “Stevie really enjoyed having the armband … and I am sure in future he will be a Manchester City captain”.
- Emmanuel Adebayor – Following their qualification for the 2006 World Cup, Togo made Adebayor captain of their national side. The way he’s started the new season with City, he looks like leading the goalscoring charts at the very least.
- Micah Richards – Let’s not forget that the former captain of the youth team became City’s youngest ever captain when leading the team against Aston Villa on 16 September 2007.
- Robinho – The Brazilian also had a turn with the armband when City played Hull last season.
It’s a hugely impressive list, and another sign of how far the club has come when we remember that not so long ago Joey Barton was being considered a possible captain!
Toure has clearly made a big impression in a short time with the club. Having been signed following the failure to land John Terry, the Ivorian now finds himself picking up the armband that the England captain was expected to wear. Arsene Wenger had given Toure the captain’s armband at Arsenal in January, but this was only ever going to be temporary while Fabregas was injured.
Toure was considered a good professional at Arsenal and known to be popular within the squad. Despite a dip in form during the past couple of years, he remained a fans favourite, and Wenger always spoke highly of him.
What has been noticeable in his first few games with City, is his willingness to take responsibility and the level of communication with other members of the back four. Micah Richards in particular has been on the receiving end of some advice during games, and this can only be a good thing for the England U-21 right-back as he looks to regain his form this season.
If Kolo maintains the impressive form with which he has started his City career, then hopefully he’ll be the first Manchester City captain to lift some major silverware since Mike Doyle in 1976.
Jeremy Helan is still trying to establish in the French courts that the pre-contract he signed as a 13 year old with Rennes is invalid. According to The Independent, the case has now reached a French labour tribunal after being rejected by the French League commissions and the French Olympic Committee.
The disputed pre-contract stated that a two year contract would be triggered if Helan represented France while at the Clairefontaine academy. He did, skippering the under-16 side. Speaking yesterday, the Rennes technical director, Pierre Dreossi, stated:
“We had a meeting with Manchester United and they made us an offer about this player.
“We discussed the offer once but United [realised the position] and said: ‘It is not possible to make a deal with you as you do not want to sell.’ They said, ‘fair play,’ and it was closed but the player went in secret to Manchester City.
“Our letters to City said it was not possible to sign him as he was our player. City have played him anyway but they can’t. It’s forbidden. He has a contract with us and can’t have a contract with two clubs. We told them that.”
Apparently letters were sent to City’s George Davies (City’s solicitor), Garry Cook, and Khaldoon al Mubarak. However, City are currently sticking to their guns according to The Independent:
City remain confident that they acted entirely within the bounds of football law in the new case. Legal advice was sought on the validity of the original contract, which Hélan signed at the age of 13 before heading for the French Football Federation’s (FFF) famed Clairefontaine academy, and the response is understood to include the conclusion that it was void on at least three grounds.
What these grounds are, remains unknown. As I said yesterday, City would look to be ok if Helan wins his latest legal case, but given he has already lost two, this can hardly be said to be a given.
If he loses the case, then City may be in trouble as FIFA and Platini seem to be cracking down on the big Premier League clubs while they seek to pass new regulations on the movements of young players.
One thing to bear in mind is that the Kakuta case, for which Chelsea have just been found guilty, dates from 2007. Dreossi himself said that the Heron case may take years to resolve. If during this time City looked like losing, could we just use our wealth to come to a financial settlement with Rennes, and get them to drop the charges?
It may not be the most ethical solution, but it would surely be better for City than a transfer ban.