Mancini was playing all his cards from the beginning of the match, giving the likes of former Arsenal players Nasri and Kolo Toure a go at their previous club. Richards coming back after injury gave a new dimension to the right side of City’s attack and Zabaleta was forced to play as a left back with neither of the first choices match-fit. Arsenal had meanwhile named a squad unchanged from their last fixture.
The first chance of the match came from a piece of Argentine magic with Zabaleta providing the assist, only for Aguero to shoot it over the bar. Balotelli was soon among the action and the 19 year-old Szcz?sny had to pull off a fine save from close range. Arsenal had their chances but it was City who created a number of opportunities in the first half, which they dominated.
There were no changes from either team during the half-time break and within 8 minutes of the start of the second half, City took a well-deserved lead through David Silva after fine work from Balotelli on the left. This was the Spaniard’s sixth goal of the season. Zabaleta had the chance to put the result beyond doubt just around the hour mark but his shot was denied by the woodwork after some sloppy work from Arsenal. Red-hot van Persie didn’t see much of the ball, and when Arsenal’s first real chance came to his feet, he only managed to hit it straight at Hart. As the game progressed, Arsenal attacked in numbers but City’s resolute defense (especially Kompany, who was fantastic throughout the match) didn’t crumble and the match ended 1-0 in City’s favour.
Mancini’s men had tough fixtures back to back but they came out victorious at the Etihad stadium and have put their first league defeat behind them. The Blue moon continues to rise and going into Christmas, they are up there at the top of the tree, 2 points clear of their nearest rivals.
Edited by Rishabh Bablani
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