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Monday, 19 January 2015

Reviewing the winning Trip to Etihad: Manchester City vs Arsenal



   Hello Folks! Still in the celebratory mood after last night’s victory? Ah well, I’d be surprised if you’re not! This is the time for which we all were eagerly waiting for, an Arsenal victory against one of their mighty rivals on their own turf. That too, with a clean sheet and a great performance which we often come-up with on (day-in day-out playing) FIFA!
   The mood before the game was good as they team was riding on 2 wins with clean sheets but their traumatic performances away from home against big rivals was a real cause of concern. The trend got a little better this year as we threw away a draw from winning position at Anfield and not letting Chelsea dominate like last year’s bullying but still losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. And when the game started with Koscielny’s Yellow Card within 3 minutes on clock, I thought that we are in for a similar disappointing performance like last season’s.
   But Wenger and team had some other plans who came up with two changes in a more defensive looking structure set-up for counter attacking football by replacing Ramsey with Rosicky alongside Coquelin besides, an obvious, Bellerin deputizing at RB for Debuchy. Our defense, which often keeps rocking like a ship in the storm, was determined to not let the Blues score and our attack, too, looked dangerous every time on break. They created many chances but were unable to score from open play and both the goals came from dead ball situation. But then came a stupid foul on Monreal in the first half by Kompany in penalty area, which resulted in a spot-kick coolly slotted in by Man of the Match Santi Cazorla.
   The second half started with some nervy moments for the defense but they soon found their stability. Gunners continued their counter attacking game in search of the second goal which came from a Santi free kick from a foul on Sanchez by Fernando on break. Santi’s delivery found Giroud in the box who headed past Hart on being poorly marked by Fernando. They came close to scoring the third in the injury time when Flamini raced past battling Clichy whose pass to Giroud for easy tap-in was intercepted by Kompany. The game was closed down by 3 attackers and 7 defensive minded players who saw off the few final attacks by the Champions.
My pick for the top 3 players are:
Santi Cazorla: He had a terrific game with a Goal and an Assist. I’ll rate him 12/10. Made world class Sanchez and Aguero look very very ordinary.
Olivier Giroud: Played a good game and got a Goal against a ‘Big Team’ defying his image of a Flat-track Bully. Though the bets for his goal was not great before the game but still he fully deserved it.
Francis Coquelin: Didn’t put a foot wrong. After this performance, he has made himself indispensable and got his reputation enhanced which is now miles better than Flamini.
Special mentions to Rosicky for coming on and making an impact with his energy & experience and to the defensive unit for containing and nullifying the Champion’s attacking threat.
   Will be back tomorrow with transfer news and BTW, stay connected as the Bielik’s confirmation from Arsenal may come anytime today.
   On Twitter @saram297

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