Manchester City battered Arsenal 4-2 today. After a dominate 1st half performance by the Gunners, Manchester City gave them a good pasting in the 2nd half. I don’t know what Mark Hughes said to his men at half-time, but whatever it was, it worked to perfection. Unfortunately for City, their great performance is not what the papers will be shouting about tomorrow morning. A deliberate and provocative celebration by Adebayor against his old club Arsenal is what will dominate the headlines on the back pages. Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to celebrate his header and Manchester City’s 3rd goal, which obviously incited fury from the Gunners fans.
What he did was wrong. He should know better. Adebayor has obviously dreamed of shoving it down the Arsenal fans throats following months of abuse by them. But so much has been written about City and Arsenal before the season started and we all know there is no love lost between Hughes and Wenger. It certainly appears as though a new rivalry has been born between these two teams and Adebayor is more than happy to lead City from the front lines. This is the first of many battles. Arsenal fans 0 Manchester City fans 1.
City’s 4-2 defeat over Arsenal illustrates how Mark Hughes and his men are ready to prove they can win the title. They have been ripped by many in the media for spending tons of money in the summer transfer market. People have questioned Mark Hughes and his ability to manage a group of growing stars. Bets have been made on whether or not they can break into the so-called Top 4. Well today, Manchester City were able to put some of their critics in their place with a dominant performance. Oh and by the way…they did it without Tevez and Robinho.
Arsenal looked in control of the game in the first half. They had good possession and it appeared as though they could do some damage. But some of their final balls and overall attempts on goal lacked bite. Sure Van Persie and Rosicky scored and the latter looked bright when he came on as a substitute for Arsenal, but it just wasn’t enough. And in the second half, Manchester City took over completely and whipped Arsenal about the pitch like jockeys on a race horse. Adebayor tortured his old team both in attack and defense. I lost count how many Arsenal corners he cleared away with his head. He played with a chip on his shoulder and it worked for him and City.
Once again there are many question marks against Arsenal. The finger will be pointed at Wenger for not splashing the cash in the transfer market. In today’s game, money definitely was the one doing the talking and winning. You could see City’s investments on the pitch and it was fruitful for them today. Let’s remember this is a long season. We still have to see how City perform in adversity. For now, they are enjoying their winning ways. And for now, it’s Arsenal that have to show what they will do in adversity.
Was this game proof that Manchester City will finish above Arsenal this season? Do you think City can win the whole enchilada? Can Adebayor finish as the Premier League’s top scorer? Do City need Robinho and should they let him go to Barcelona? Should Wenger have taken Bendtner off instead of Denilson? Should he give Jack Wilshere more playing time? What’s wrong with Fabregas? Who is getting the drinks in?
And what about the stamp on Van Persie by Adebayor? Dirty move in my opinion and another thing he’s probably been dreaming about doing. Do you think Adebayor should be banned?
I still don’t think City will finish top 4. Being a spurs fan I was even rooting for Arsenal to thrash them and show everyone that City really aint that good. I know they won but that defense was not good at times. Dont think this winning will go on much longer.
As for Adebayor, If he gets cornered by an Arseanl fan I hate to see the consequences…broken knees…maybe? and i dont think I will feel sorry for him cause what he did to his old team mate was disgraceful. Its one thing to show off to the Arsenal fans…completely different to kick your ex team mate in the face. That was bad and if it was up to me I will ban Adebayor not just 2 games I will ban him for life. That is not good sportsmanship and really do not want to be watching him on screen. He makes me feel sick and Im a spurs fan.
Robinho should go. Bendtner should have come off. Jack Wilshere is still young(think waiting for the right time to play him) Fabregas will get it together and I’m having a large vodka on the rocks. What would you like?
Great comments. When Eric Cantona kicked a fan he got banned for 6 or 8 months didn’t he? Adebayor should be banned for a long time for his deliberate actions. There’s no place for that in the game. That was vindictive. Disgraceful is right. The return game at the Emirates is going to be explosive. I’ll go on record now…there’s no way Arsenal will let Manchester City win that game. I’ll have a Babycham!!
I agree with the vicious kick to Van Persie’s head there is no room for that in the game, it could have been worse for Van Persie.
You can’t compare it to Cantona as he left the pitch and jumped in to the crowd, that’s why he got 8 months, but because this is on the pitch and the tackles are flying in that is the only reason he got three games.
The celebration i don’t like personally. Berbatov, Keane and many other players that score against former clubs do not celebrate and i think that is a real show of respect, and i feel i respect you afterwards. But there is players who do celebrate and you cant take that feeling away.
This was slightly different and again I’m not saying i agree with it, but just think about this, he has got so much stick while he was playing for Arsenal, he got stick when he left Arsenal, while playing anytime he got near the ball he was greeted with some harsh tackles, and if you remember the run he made in the corner there was lunging tackles made by Bendtner, no love loss there, after all that his emotions got the better of him. Again I’m not agreeing with what he did. I think it would have been more effective if he went into his new following the City Fans, that would have probably annoyed the Arsenal Fans just the same, which is obviously what he wanted to do.
As for City attacking power looks frightening, Barry solid, Ireland solid, SWP looking like his finding some old form, Adebayor banging them in, and they have a defence that can be strong once they gel and Shey Given behind that is a solid team, still dislike how it was formed. I think they have a real shot for 4th.
The shame of all this is that because of Adebayor’s actions, nobody is talking about what an amazing game he had. About 2 seasons ago he was phenomenal for Arsenal. But his performance on Saturday was without question his best ever in the Premier League. He scored, he cleared the ball off the line, he cleared practically every corner and was just amazing throughout his play. He completely tortured Arsenal. And if it wasn’t for his stupid actions, people would be lauding him as the #1 forward in the league right now.
The Arsenal fans have abused Adebayor to no end I agree. And his celebration reminded me of Gary Neville’s when he ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Liverpool fans. That annoyed the scousers too!! If the kick to Van Persie’s face hadn’t happened, I think Adebayor would have escaped with no disciplinary action from the F.A..
I would love Gareth Barry in my team. He’s sublime. The way he connects play and his awareness on the pitch is so impressive. For me, he has become one of the most important players for England.
I agree with you…4th is very realistic for City. Do you think they can beat United this weekend without Adebayor? They still have Tevez and Robinho coming back. Although I’m sure Robinho is dreaming of Catalan life right about now!
You are right he had a fantastic game, that run in the corner where he took on 3-4 players making them look average was brilliant. But was forgotten with his actions.
They sure have enough to beat united on the weekend they have done it before with a weaker side. They don’t need robinho they have won all their games and concede only two goals, but it doesn’t hurt to have players like robinho and tevez and even Santa cruz to come back. Tevez will get a lot of stick but he will be so up for it and it should make for a really interesting game.
Wow we’ve forgotten about Santa Cruz as he’s been out so long with injuries. If Manchester City can beat United after trouncing Arsenal, this could be a huge coming out party for them.
Can you see Tevez pulling an Adebayor if he scores?
No not a 90 yard dash. But there might be a celebration in him.
If Man City stay solid at the back they can nick it. But good old United still finding their feet without Ronaldo and Tevez always find a way to get the win, and maybe just maybe this could be a game where Owen could get the goal to get the United faithful right behind him.
You could have just made the point of the week Jonesy. Owen could solidify his United status with a goal against the enemy. That would be beautiful for him.
Football writes itself. And what is more fitting than a Manchester derby.
It’s an amazing two weeks for city, first arsenal with the adebayor saga, then before it has even cooled down we have tevez and united, it’s brilliant.
Soccer Diva you made a comment earlier regarding the celebration to the arsenal fans, Neville doing it to the liverpool fans. I do remember a certain Henry doing the same thing in a north London derby running the length of the pitch and sliding on his knees infront of the spurs fans, but arsenal don’t think anything of it, infact they get pictures of it and frame it and hang it up, but when it’s against them it is a completely different story. As an arsenal fan I would like to hear your thoughts on it?
LOL! Very nice! I think the Adebayor and Henry celebrations are different. There was no transfer involved and no infighting for Henry. It was all about passion and the London rivalry. The Adebayor incident for me is a much different story. I still don’t think what Henry did was one of his classiest moves, but I don’t think you can compare it to what Adebayor did. For him it was planned. He dreamed up his behaviour for this whole game. He was on a mission. Plus, I believe truly in my heart that the Spurs fans respected Henry deep down in their hearts! The same cannot be said for Adebayor and the Arsenal fans. And he played for them!!
The Tottenham/Arsenal game this season will be really exciting. Tottenham are so much better so it will be more of a test this time around. We’ll see…