Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Scoring the Key Battles

In the end, Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal in this Premier League fixture was comprehensive and commanding. 

City seized the early initiative after Laurent Koscielny’s sending off, scoring twice in quick succession to put them ahead. Arsenal rallied late on after the introduction of Olivier Giroud, but to no avail. City’s lead proved insurmountable. 

Prior to the game, I identified six key battles both on and off the field:

• Arsene Wenger vs. Roberto Mancini
• Laurent Koscielny vs. Edin Dzeko
• Theo Walcott vs. Matja Nastasic
• Abou Diaby vs. Javi Garcia
• Santi Cazorla vs. David Silva
• Jack Wilshere vs. Gareth Barry

Over the coming slides we’ll take a look at who emerged victorious from these duels, and how it impacted upon the ultimate result of the game.

Arsene Wenger vs. Roberto Mancini

Although Arsene Wenger could not possibly legislate for the sending off of Laurent Koscielny, he was still outwitted by Roberto Mancini in this game.

The key flaw in Wenger’s strategy was his initial selection. Just as in September’s derby with Chelsea, dropping the reliable Per Mertesacker for Koscielny proved disastrous. Rushing back Abou Diaby was a gamble that also failed to pay off, with the Frenchman turning in a display rustier than a shipwreck’s cutlery.

Mancini, conversely, got his team spot on. The deployment of an orthodox midfield four left Arsenal swamped, and the selection of Edin Dzeko alongside Carlos Tevez was rewarded with another important goal for the Bosnian forward. 

With a difficult game to come against Chelsea next week, Wenger will need a swift turnaround in fortunes. For Mancini, a two-horse title race awaits.

Winner: Roberto Mancini

Laurent Koscielny vs. Edin Dzeko

Laurent Koscielny is a curious defender. He possesses all the attributes required to be a success in the position: speed, a great spring and fantastic anticipation. However, he also has the capacity to make inexplicable and often important mistakes.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, this was one of those days, as Koscielny was sent off after just 10 minutes for a rugby tackle inside his own penalty area

Edin Dzeko, selected in place of the injured Sergio Aguero, reaped the benefits in some style. Although he missed the initial penalty, he went on to score and gave Arsenal’s defence problems until his eventual substitution. 

Dzeko will now have high hopes of keeping Aguero out of the side upon his return. Koscielny, on the other hand, will most likely find himself back on the bench.

Winner: Edin Dzeko

Theo Walcott vs. Matja Nastasic

Going into the game, Theo Walcott would have been hoping to take advantage of the inexperience of Matja Nastasic. He will have believed with some justification that his pace might be too much for the young Serb. 

However, Nastasic gave a performance which belied his inexperience, and Walcott barely got a kick. Olivier Giroud actually touched the ball more times in his 33-minute cameo than Walcott did in the entire game.

Walcott can look forward to a return to the wing after failing to convince in the central role.  

Winner: Matja Nastasic

Abou Diaby vs. Javi Garcia

This was Abou Diaby’s first Arsenal appearance in three months. 

There is a phenomenon in football whereby a player’s value seems to increase exponentially when they’re absent with injury. Given how far below expectation his performance fell today, it is tempting to suggest Diaby is a victim to this very trend: he simply may not be as good as we remember.

By contrast, his opposite number, Javi Garcia, was a revelation. He regularly beat Diaby’s loping stride to reclaim the ball and was more efficient in possession, too. 

It seems it will take the Frenchman some time to hit the heights of his September form. 

Winner: Javi Garcia

Santi Cazorla vs. David Silva

Seeing Santi Cazorla and David Silva on the same football pitch ought to have been an aesthetic delight.

The two Spaniards are two of the Premier League’s most gifted playmakers, and the contest between two of European football’s most magical matadors ought to have been enthralling.

However, Cazorla was entirely anonymous. Talented but timid, he’s yet to really make his mark in a big Premier League game. Silva, meanwhile, used his wide starting position to find space and create havoc in the Arsenal defensive line.

Winner: David Silva

Jack Wilshere vs. Gareth Barry

Out of these two left-footed English midfielders, it was Jack Wilshere who came to the fore, leaving Gareth Barry eclipsed.

On a difficult day for Arsenal, Wilshere was the one major bright spot. He played with guts and determination to match his undoubted class.

The worry for Arsenal is that, like Cesc Fabregas before him, he may outgrow this troubled Arsenal side. 

Winner: Jack Wilshere