Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game
Goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud dented Manchester City's Premier League title defence with a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.
On a day to forget for the reigning champions, Cazorla marked a fine personal display for Arsenal with his 23rd-minute spot-kick after Vincent Kompany brought down Nacho Monreal.
And after a spell of sustained second-half pressure by the home team, Giroud took advantage of a defensive error to head home a floated Cazorla free-kick in the 67th minute.
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The three points underlined a tremendous performance by the Gunners, as they showed discipline and resilience throughout to thwart City and maintain Chelsea's five-point lead at the top of the table.
Sergio Aguero returned to City's starting line-up for the first time since Dec. 3, while Vincent Kompany and James Milner were also back.
Aaron Ramsey was drafted into Arsenal's starting XI for his first start since Dec. 9, with Hector Bellerin replacing the injured Mathieu Debuchy.
The game started at a breathtaking pace and Laurent Koscielny was cautioned in the fourth minute for a foul on Fernandinho, but there were no clear-cut opportunities created in the opening 10 minutes.
City dominated possession, but Giroud almost gave Arsenal an 18th-minute lead when he connected with an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross, but his header was deflected wide.
In the 23rd minute, Arsenal were given a penalty after Vincent Kompany barged Nacho Monreal over inside the area. Cazorla stepped up and slotted the spot-kick home to Joe Hart's left-hand side.
It was an excellent Arsenal performance in the opening half-hour, with Arsene Wenger's team pressing hard to thwart City's creativity.
Referee Mike Dean cautioned Aaron Ramsey in the 37th minute for a foul on Aguero, while Kompany also received a yellow card for a push on Giroud.
But Arsenal stood up to be counted in the opening 45 minutes and deservedly led at half-time.
Manuel Pellegrini needed to make a change and brought on Stevan Jovetic for James Milner ahead of the second period.
The switch allowed Silva to move further wide, and Aguero tested David Ospina early in the second half with a curling effort.
It was a much-improved City after the interval, and Silva was beginning to find the space he needed, setting up Fernandinho, who blazed over.
At the other end, Ramsey fired over from a good position after Giroud had smuggled the ball to him after a swift counter-attack before Bellerin was cautioned for an off-the-ball incident.
On the hour, City were denied an equaliser by a touch from Koscielny, who took Jesus Navas' cross off the foot of Aguero.
Pellegrini made a further change in the 63rd minute, bringing on Frank Lampard for Fernandinho before Arsene Wenger swapped Oxlade-Chamberlain for Tomas Rosicky.
Seconds later, Arsenal doubled their advantage. Cazorla floated a free-kick into the area and Giroud lost Fernando to guide a header beyond Hart.
Monreal had enjoyed a fine game for the Gunners, but almost turned into the villain of the piece with a sliced clearance that flew over his own crossbar.
Pellegrini swapped Navas for Edin Dzeko in the 75th minute, as he chased a way back into the game with a three-pronged forward line.
Wenger made his final changes seven minutes from the end, with Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Flamini coming on for Sanchez and Ramsey, meaning City had to face a five-man back line.
Moments later, Aguero was cautioned for pulling back Gibbs as the Arsenal defender moved to support Rosicky in a counter-attack.
Arsenal were deserved winners, and they ended a run of seven Premier League matches in Manchester without a victory.
Selected Player Ratings
Santi Cazorla: A+
It was a tremendous display by the Arsenal midfielder. A driving force in the first half, he helped to defend along with his penalty strike. Like his team, Cazorla was disciplined and effective.
Vincent Kompany: B-
The City captain looked off the pace on his return to the starting line-up and gave away the penalty for Arsenal to open the scoring. He was booked late on in the first half for a shove on Giroud.
Francis Coquelin: A
It was an outstanding display from the Arsenal man in the opening half. He stopped Silva creating chances and supported his defenders well.
What's Ahead
Both clubs take a break from the Premier League for their next matches with the FA Cup fourth round on the horizon.
City are at home to Championship promotion-hopefuls Middlesbrough on Saturday, while Arsenal face a potentially awkward trip to Brighton, also of the second tier, on Sunday.
Post-Match Reaction
