English Premier League: Arsenal vs. Manchester City – Arsenal team analysis
Arsenal took on Manchester City at the Eastlands, in what was by far one of the toughest matches that both the teams had to play in the league so far. After a long gruelling battle Arsenal emerged victorious with a comfortable three goals
to nil score line. Here is a closer look at every Arsenal players’ performance and contributions during the game.
Lukasz Fabianski
Fabianski was given the chance to reclaim the starting spot in between the sticks for Arsenal, as Manuel Almunia was still out due to an injury. The keeper despite not being Arsenal's first choice performed rather brilliantly. He was active,
quick to retrieve the loose ball and wasn't afraid of going in to a crowd of players, to knock the ball away. All in all Fabianksi had one solid game and it was due to his fine efforts, along with the defence that Arsenal managed to keep a hold of their clean
sheet.
Johan Djourou
The Swiss international managed to get a spot in the starting eleven, due to his sheer luck. Both Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny were out due to knocks that they picked up and as a result, Arsenal had no choice but to opt for their
third choice centre back. Djourou despite being so far down the Arsenal pecking order performed exceptionally well. Apart from the early fumbled mix-up that he had with Carlos Tevez, which nearly gifted Manchester City a goal in the second minute of the game,
the player was outstanding. His presence was felt by almost every City attacker and he managed to win most of his aerial battles, along with that his clearance was on the mark and he almost never let anyone get past him. He did manage to have a few momentary
lapses, which saw the likes of Micah Richards get past him and nearly score for the team, but he managed to recover well from those instants and provide one of his best performances in an Arsenal jersey, to date.
Sebastian Squillaci
Squillaci was brought into the Arsenal side, as a last ditch signing. However the player has proven to be more than vital to Arsenal's cause this season. With both the first choice centre backs out injured, it was up to Squillaci to marshal
the Arsenal back line and make sure no one made any mistakes at the back. To Arsenal’s much relief the player managed to do just that. Throughout the game Squillaci was seen giving orders to the rest of the defence and making sure that everyone was in line
and on par with their duties.
The player himself performed outstandingly. There were almost no attacks by the City team from his side of the pitch and every time the team did try to threaten down his side, he didn't hesitate to chop them down and win the ball back
for Arsenal. In simple words, Squillaci was silent but deadly, his performance along with Djourou in the line of defence were crucial to Arsenal winning the game.
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