Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Advantage Manchester United? Part 2
To read part 1 of this article, please click
http://www.senore.com/Arsenal-vs-Manchester-City-Advantage-Manchester-United-Part-1-a51524.
Arsenal were firmly in control of the match since the first half. The Gunners were enjoying a healthy chunk of possession and were allowed enough space to be able to venture into the opposition’s half and final third. Furthermore,
seeing the dominance of Wenger’s team, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mancini-c23323 asked Yaya Toure to drop back into midfield and look to disrupt the Arsenal passing in midfield.
However, while the North Londoners were able to enjoy a considerable amount of possession throughout the course of the match – a particular point in the 2nd
half saw Arsenal pass the ball for fun with possession 70–30 in their favour – City were able to absorb the pressure and had an answer to virtually everything that the home side threw at them.
With a considerable amount of football played in midfield, the game ended just the way it started – a 0-0 on the night, meaning that the spoils were shared one point apiece. Wenger’s men were able to test Mancini’s back four on
numerous occasions and struck the post twice – First through Van Persie’s near post shot and second through Cesc Fabregas attempt as he cut inside from the left-hand side. The away team either lacked the ambition or quality to be able to test the Arsenal defence.
Manchester City were positively poor going forward. Set pieces were another disappointment as they failed to capitalize over the Gunner’s appalling track record on free kicks and corners this season.
It was a classic case of Manchester City displaying their negativity on the field for all to see while the Gunners reminded everyone exactly why they have been unable to challenge the elites of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 and Europe in recent history;
lacking mental fortitude to be able to breach Joe Hart’s defence.
Looking from Alex Ferguson and Manchester United’s angle, however, the weekend couldn’t be sweeter. 2nd and 3rd placed ended up cancelling each other while the holding champions, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, failed to score any
points at all as they lost 1-0 to Wolverhampton. Assuming that the Red Devils are able to win their game in hand over Arsenal, they have the option of going 7 points clear of their historic rivals.
It has been an action-packed and positively tiring holiday session for the Premier League. Based on the aforementioned results, Manchester Untied would arguably be the happiest side in England. Moreover, the following comments
from the Chelsea and Arsenal camp might as well add to the Scotsman’s New Year celebrations.
“There are a lot of reasons that can explain this moment but that doesn't matter. We have to prepare well and we have above all to maintain confidence at this moment. It's very easy now to lose confidence," commented Carlo Ancelotti
at the end of Chelsea’s game against the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952.
The Arsenal manager concluded his day on a similar note. The Frenchman said:
“I feel we had the performance and not the result. The regret I have tonight is that we did not take our early chances because that would have changed the game. Quality passing, sharp movements… they became more difficult as the
game went down.”
The holiday period is easily the Premier League’s busiest time and its often seen that the team able to withstand the test often goes on to affirm its hold on the Premier League championship at the end of May. However, having said
that, nearly half the 2010-2011 EPL still awaits us. While the first half saw its fair share of action and controversy, things could take yet another turn with the fate of the title still hanging in the balance.
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