Manchester City 0 Arsenal 3

The joy of three....Nasri explodes with joy after scoring the opener.

We inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Manchester City since January 2007, and what a win it was. What an impact it also made on our league position.We rocketted up to second spot, reining in Chelsea and leapfrogging Man City and Man Utd in the process. It may or may not be an indication where we’ll end up at the end of the season but it surely put us in the mix for a real title challenge now.Things got off to a dramatic start in this heavyweight clash in the 5th minute, when Derdyck Boyata upended Marouane Chamakh. The City defender rightly got his marching orders and 15minutes later, we went ahead after a cute one-two between Arshavin and Nasri. The Frenchman ghosted past a static Gareth Barry to shoot us ahead.
Some inspiring goalkeeping by a reborn Lukasz Fabianski kept us in the game and in the 60th minute, Alex Song blasted the second goal off a pass from Fabregas.Third goal sealed it up through Nicklas Bendtner’s first of the season in the 88th minute and that was that.It was a landmark win and one we truly deserved inspite of the ten-men we played against. Our range of passing and movement flummoxed Man City most of the time and helped us impose our style and authority on the game. A good win this one and one that surely, surely now makes us serious contenders for the title. On a weekend when all our rivals won, it put us in a vitally good position to stand up and be counted in the coming weeks.
That West Brom defeat now looks so far, far away.


Below are the ratings.
• Fabianski (7/10) – Often, I had to rub my eyes to be sure it is the much-maligned Pole between the sticks for us. He did himself and the team proud with how he repelled all that came his way. His smart, low save in the 3rd minute from David Silva was the first of a series of fine stops and he excelled for all of 90 minutes. Surely now, Almunia has to be afraid of his chances for the Number One shirt. Lukasz seems to get better with every game and confidence must now be sky high for him. The clean sheet must be a welcome one for him as well.
• Clichy (6/10) – Was skinned a couple of times by the marauding Micah Richards but he also gave as good as he got. Supported Arshavin very well from the left and got forward at every opportunity.
• Squillaci (6/10) – The third game in a row between him and Djourou and the mutual understanding helped the duo. He dealt with the threat of the dangerous Carlos Tevez and also his replacement, Adebayor.
• Djourou (7/10) – Another reborn player. He looked the part and played it very well. Good and authoritative in the air and seems to be finally fulfilling his long-held potential. Picked up a booking but was unpertubed as he dished out tackles all afternoon. His growing confidence from regular games was also apparent.
• Sagna (7/10) – He was just his usual no-nonsense self. Helped to smother the threat of the elusive Silva and ran his guts out on the right, linking with Nasri and later Walcott.
• Song (7/10) – He clearly fancies himself as an attacking midfielder now, with two goals in successive games. Did all that was asked of him in breaking up City’s game and never allowed their midfield to click. He outshone his more-illustrious opponent, Yaya Toure and capped it up with that cracker of a goal that sealed it for us. One of his best performances for us.
• Nasri (8/10) – My man of the match, though by a whisker. He was involved in everything we did and definitely now, he has found his groove in the team. The goal he scored apart, our little Frenchman never stopped moving. Never stopped probing. Never stopped looking for the ball and releasing it. He also gave the assist that led to Bendtner’s goal. A virtuoso outing for a multi-talented player. Better still, he is now suddenly our leading scorer.
• Fabregas (7/10) – In the absence of the much-improved Fabregas, there were fears that we would lose some spark in the middle. Fabregas put such fears to rest as he took over from where he stopped before that injury against Sunderland, last month. He, like Nasri, pestered the City defence endlessly. His passes were unreadable and drew the foul that cost Boyata a dismissal. He also drew a foul from Kompany which led to a penalty that he took and was saved. Nonetheless, our skipper had a huge impact as always.
• Arshavin (6/10) – Its almost becoming the norm now, but apart from the assist to Nasri for the first goal; the Russian was very anonymous. He doesn’t look happy playing and if the truth be told, something seems to be going on behind closed doors. Time will surely tell concerning his form.
• Chamakh (7/10) – He also had a quite game but credit must go to him for the skilful way he operates in and around the box. He seems to have the uncanning ability to attract fouls that either lead to penalties or cautions or even dismissals. And that is no ordinary gift.

Substitutes
• Rosicky (5/10) – Didn’t do much. Didn’t have to after coming on with us two goals up.
• Bendtner (6/10) – Reminded us all what we had missed in his absence with a well-taken goal for the third strike. Displayed maturity to stay onside for the through ball from Nasri before scoring. At least now, we have an alternative outlet for the striking position if needed.
• Walcott (5/10) – Also came in when the game and points were already sewn up. Still showed hunger and was full of running as ever. Must be chomping at the bits now for a starting spot sooner or later.


This was a good win indeed and one that was also much needed. It's three wins on the trot now and you truly cannot ask for anything more from the lads. Next up, we go up North again for the Carling Cup meeting with Newcastle on Wednesday. Expect a much-changed side but one packed with experience as already hinted to by Wenger.