Firstly, let’s have some context.
Manchester City are the English Premier League Champions,
and before the game today had a home record in the League that read 31 played,
29 won and two drawn. No defeats at the Etihad Stadium in that period, the last
being against Everton back in December 2010. They’re a billion pound team,
funded by the oil rich Abu Dhabi United Group with various connections of
economic value, which makes them almost unmatchable in today’s transfer market.
Yet here we sit, after Arsenal’s earlier visit to the home
of the club described above, and I don’t think I’ll be alone in saying that I
felt we could have come away from the game with more than just a point.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic point. One that if
we were offered beforehand, I would’ve snatched it from you before you could
blink. But it says a lot about how much we’ve improved, and how well the
current squad are playing, that we sit here slightly disappointed about only
getting a point at Eastlands. Because for the majority of the game today, we
were a lot better than the defending Champions.
For the first 30 minutes we were the only team playing
football. Gervinho wasted a great one-on-one chance with a heavy touch having
been played through by Aaron Ramsey, and Santi Cazorla twice tested Joe Hart
with long-range efforts.
The passing and build up play was exceptional, but there
was a growing feeling that as long as we didn’t capitalise on the chances and
possession, the more it was likely we’d find ourselves behind. And five minutes
before half time, that’s what happened. David Silva’s corner was headed home by
Joleon Lescott, with Don Vito Mannone creeping off his line, and City went into
the break 1-0 up with their tails wagging.
But there was always a sense that this Arsenal team wouldn’t
back down, whereas in previous years we might have. Cazorla and Ramsey were
instrumental in driving Arsenal forward, with the former forcing a stunning
save from Hart deep in the second half. From the resulting corner, the ball
fell to Laurent Koscielny who smashed it home and Arsenal had their well-deserved
goal.
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| Ooo I wanna dance with Koscielny! |
Gervinho had a chance to win it, but blazed it high and
wide after some nifty work from the Ivorian, and despite Koscielny almost
suiciding our lead in the final moments the game ended with the spoils shared.
Once again, it was a game where the positives vastly
outweighed the negatives, with our unbeaten start to the season continuing. The
ease in which we passed the ball around Man City was a joy to behold, and the
continued brilliance of Cazorla arguably makes us the most attractive side to
watch in the League this season. Even Jamie Redknapp comically said “you’d pay
to watch Arsenal’s midfield”, slightly failing to understand the mechanics
behind viewing professional football, but clearly emphasising the quality that
they possess.
Aaron Ramsey’s selection raised a few eyebrows pre-match,
but having been thoroughly impressed with his substitute appearances so far
this season, I was delighted for him to get the nod, and he didn’t let anyone
down with a workman like and creative performance. Reminiscent of his fine form
before his horrific injury, and no doubt playing alongside Cazorla will bring
the best out of the Welsh captain, whose previous fine form was aided by his connection
with another Spaniard who now resides in Barcelona.
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| Another fine display from Carl Jenkinson. |
Defensively we were again outstanding. Carl Jenkinson is
getting better every week, and his performance levels are so abundantly higher
than what they were this time last year. He’s living the dream playing for the
club that he loves, and was unlucky not to be named Man Of The Match, but
arguing against Per Mertesacker getting the gong would take some doing.
It’s amazing how many people doubt the credentials of our
Big Fucking German. Those who write him off due to his “lack of pace” are moronic
beyond belief, as I can’t think of many defenders in the League with a better
understanding and reading of the game. Koscielny partnered him due to the
absence of captain Thomas Vermaelen, missing with a virus, and Kos’ quality
showing gives Arsene Wenger a wonderful selection headache. One that we’ve
dreamed of having at the back for years.
For me, Mertesacker has to start every game (assuming
complete fitness). At times last year we saw that Kos and TV5 didn’t work too
well together, but I think the BFG compliments them both and as such is the
first name on the sheet defensively. It’s hard to leave any of the three out,
but that’s why Wenger earns his big bucks. It’s his problem, and as I said it’s
a problem we’ve been longing for. It’s clear that Steve Bould’s influence is
having a prolonged positive effect on the back unit, and let’s hope it lasts.
Further up the pitch, and stand in captain Mikel Arteta
had another controlled game, but there were questions over Abou Diaby and
Gervinho, both of whom we’ve seen better from in recent weeks. Lukas Podolski
was quieter than expected and eventually replaced by Theo Walcott, with Olivier
Giroud and Francis Coquelin also getting some game time without setting the
world alight.
Overall, a very impressive display and a real show of
mental strength to come back from 1-0 down at the home of the Champions,
especially when you consider the fine home form they have as I outlined
earlier. One look at the players celebrating that unfolded with Koscielny’s
equaliser shows you exactly what we’ve got; a squad of professionals all
willing to play for each other and the badge on the shirt, with no overinflated
egos and no “reliance” on any one individual.
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| Celebrating the equaliser like a true squad. |
And that, I believe, is the explanation that supports our
fine start to the season. We’ve successfully negotiated three difficult away
trips to Stoke, Liverpool and now Man City without defeat, and the foundations
have been laid to go on and achieve bigger and better.
Next up in the League we host Chelsea, who despite topping
the League haven’t been overly convincing in their early fixtures, making it a
winnable fixture if the squad maintain a similar attitude to what we’ve
witnessed so far this campaign.
Before then we play Coventry City in the Capital One Cup
on Wednesday, where we can expect to rest some of the first team players legs
and give a chance to the fringe and younger players knocking on the door. This
includes the likes of Johan Djourou, Andre Santos, Andrey Arshavin and Maourane
Chamakh who have all barely been involved in first team duties to date. Plus
hopefully some minutes for promising youngsters like Serge Gnabry, Thomas
Eisfeld and Craig Eastmond who have all impressed in Terry Burton’s Under 21s
side.
We have a decent looking squad, so it’s important to
ensure the reserve players are as fresh as possible. There will be a time when
the likes of the above are called upon to replace injured, suspended or
fatigued players, so it’s a good opportunity to see what they can do as it’ll
be a rare opportunity outside of the training ground for them to make an account for a
starting birth.
Until then we can celebrate another fine result today and
head into the working week with our heads held high. Things are looking good,
and long may that continue.
Follow me on twitter: @mattlittlechild
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