Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Analysis, Grades and Reaction from EPL Clash

Manchester City's English Premier League title hopes are all but over after Sunday's loss to Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

City were under heavy fire for the majority of the match, but Arsenal failed to execute in the final third. Finally, after 85 minutes of missed opportunities, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta cracked a 25-yard beauty for the first and only goal of the game.

What looked like a decent result on the road turned into a dreadful and heart-wrenching defeat.

Analysis

Manchester City has been sliding in the EPL table, while Manchester United were going in the opposite direction. With one game to play against United, a positive result was absolutely needed at the Emirates.

Arsenal wanted it more, however. They proved that Sunday's game was more important in their quest for a top-four position than City's quest for the league title.

The Gunners controlled the pace of the game, possessing the ball for 64 percent of it. Arsenal created more scoring opportunities by creating five more shots on target than City.

Arsenal's offense carried its defense because the back four wasn't consistently under fire. They controlled the game, which forced City's forwards like Mario Balotelli to get frustrated, and that ultimately sent him off in the second half.

It was a complete effort from Arsenal on Sunday, and they were rightfully rewarded in the end.

Grades

Mario Balotelli: D

It gets old watching Balotelli complain just about every time he touches the pitch. Whether it's not being able to take a free kick, not getting the correct call from the official or not getting the touches he thinks he deserves, Balotelli is a detriment to City's squad.

Balotelli very well could have been sent off in the first half, but he earned two yellow cards, which ultimately sent him off late.

Expect a lengthy ban for the hot-headed striker.

Samir Nasri: D

Coming back to the Emirates in this difficult situation where both teams needed victories would be difficult for any star. He was pretty much a no-show on Sunday.

Nasri never really got anything going because of the possession from Arsenal.

The Gunners wanted this game more, and it showed. Nasri committed three fouls in the game, mostly due to his frustration.

Mikel Arteta: A

Arteta scored the game's only goal, so he is well deserving of an A.

His goal was simply fantastic.

Robin Van Persie: C

Van Persie didn't have the best day again, but he was involved on several occasions. He had a couple shots on goal, but couldn't get anything going overall.

Yossi Benayoun: B+

Benayoun played well on Sunday, recording two shots on target and three overall. He was aggressive with his efforts, which is exactly what the Gunners wanted, since Van Persie couldn't get anything going.

Reaction

ESPN UK wonders if the title race may be all but over. City is now eight points behind Manchester United, who defeated Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

"

Title race over? Mikel Arteta keeps Man City eight points behind Utd as Arsenal win 1-0 at the Emirates: es.pn/I56dEI

— ESPN UK (@ESPNuk) April 8, 2012"

Manchester City's official Twitter feed mentions how the players' efforts today were good, just not good enough:

"

The dejected City players, whose effort cannot be faulted today, go and applaud the travelling fans from Manchester #MCFC

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 8, 2012"

Arsene Wenger spoke the truth with this tweet from Arsenal.com:

"

Wenger: 'If the referee had television [replays] he would have given Balotelli a red card. He flirted with orange a few times' #ArsenalLive

— Arsenal.com (@Arsenal) April 8, 2012"

Martin Yves Angha is probably using Twitter in the wrong way with his tweet here.

"

You cant buy class or style! You have it or not! Arsenal have class and MCity not!

— Martin Yves Angha (@MartinYAngha) April 8, 2012"

Manchester City has dug a hole they probably can't get out of. It's going to take a miracle for City to storm back with so few games remaining.

Their English Premier League drought looks like it will have to wait another year.