Manchester City 0 Arsenal 3
This was a convincing win regardless of the circumstances. We showed exactly why we're a top four side in this match. The sending-off certainly did City no favours, but the win cannot be diminished for it.
Our record in these games is pretty sub-standard. When it comes to the biggest games we normally choke. But that didn't happen Sunday.
Every man put in a solid performance on top of the spectacular ones of Nasri and Fabianski. Fabregas gave his typical 8/10 display which kept the team ticking and would've have gotten on the score-sheet only for Hart's penalty save. The backline showed some jitters at times but dealt well with most of the situations put before them.
All the goals had quality in them. Nasri's one involved a terrific one-two with Arshavin topped by a smashing finish. Song's goal was the killer blow as he pounced on a loose ball in the area to power the ball into the top corner ('I'm actually Ronaldinho' Fever does something constructive for once). The third was my favorite as Nasri slid a beautiful, disguised pass into Bendtner and he raced into the box and placed his shot inch-perfect into the far bottom-corner beyond Joe Hart.
Things mightn't have been so rosy had it not been for Fabianski's performance in goal. He produced two terrific saves, one at 0-0 and the other at 1-0, from Silva who can count himself unlucky not to have found the net because both shots were terrific.
It was a great win and it will boost belief within the squad because it's been ages since we've taken the scalp of a big team. Up next is Newcastle in the Carling Cup. Momentum is crucial as we head into our worst month of the season so a win is important to keep spirits high. I'd expect Walcott and Bendtner to start in what should be a decent team with perhaps the likes of Lansbury and JET also getting games. Newcastle have nothing to lose so they'll probably come out and play. All in all, I think that if everyone does their job on the night we'll win.
But you can never quite tell with this team.
