Arsenal 1 - 0 Man City

August 26, 2007 on 11:33 am | In Arsenal FC, Matches Reviews 2007/2008 | posted by Block19er |

7 points out of 9 not a bad start at all. Arsenal certainly have much more resilience this season. It was a tough match today and Richard Dunne showed great strength at the back for City. Arsenal dominated the game but City always looked dangerous on the break.

Senderos was injured during the warm-up and it gave Wenger a decision to make with Gallas also missing he made the right choice putting Gilberto in at the back, he was assured, and controlled. Personally I would stick with The Brazilian in the absence of Gallas or Toure. He settled back into the team with ease, Adebayor also came straight into the team for this game, he made some good chances, but was slightly off the pace. Ade lasted 75 minutes and it should stand him in good stead for the Pompey game.

In the first half Clichy put in some tempting crosses that put Schmeichel under pressure. He flapped at a lot of the crosses but they weren’t in the right area’s for Arsenal players to attack. Other sides will take advantage of this but Arsenal didn’t and the lads thoughts were not on crossing once Eduardo came on. Van Persie and Rosicky tested the City keeper in the first half and in the second half Arsenal cranked up the pressure.

A real chance presented itself on 65 minutes when Hleb once again made a break into the box but was pulled down. It was the right decision. Van Persie’s penalty was saved by the legs of Schmeichel who was 2 yards off his line as Robin struck the ball. The ref ignored the linesmans’ flag and played on. Soon Van Persie was in again. I can’t understand why the penalty was not re-taken it’s clear in the rules that keepers should stay on their line, shouldn’t these refs take pride in their work and stop this blatant rule breaking. I’d like to ask The FA how they consider the ref giving a penalty in the Liverpool Chelsea game last week worse than referee Chris Foy just ignoring the rules.

In the end it didn’t matter and Arsenal won the game with a goal in the 80th minute.  Cesc passed it out to Hleb on the right side of the box, Hleb rolled it back to Cesc who had enough space 10 yards from goal to smash the ball into the roof of the net. It was a wonderful finish and Cesc ran to the North Bank to slide and kiss the Arsenal badge.

Eduardo could have doubled the lead but Arsenal will be happy with these well earned three points. On the downside it would seem like we have lost another two defenders for the game against Prague. Senderos and Sagna will both be out for at least that game.

After the game Wenger said, “We look solid and strong and mentally very focussed and they are good signs.”

Arsenal team: Almunia, Sagna (Denilson 19), Silva, Toure, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky, Adebayor (Eduardo 75), Van Persie (Song 87).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Bendtner.

Goals: Fabregas 80.

Att: 60,114.

Ref: C Foy (England).