Manchester City and Arsenal shared the spoils as they play out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Etihad. Sergio Aguero And Kevin De Bruyne twice propelled the hosts to the lead whereas Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez completed the comeback for the North Londoners.
The draw leaves the battle for the fourth spot wide open as Manchester United have the chance to leapfrog their noisy neighbours by Wednesday. Here are the five talking points from this tie at the Etihad.
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Pellegrini’s men fight for their future
Manchester City were the bookies favourites to win the Premier League at the start of the season but they have flattered to deceive. It was after a long time in the league where City played with desire. Pellegrini has been shown the door but the Chilean is making sure that the leaves Manchester with his head held high.
At least, that’s what it seems from the outside or have the players have begun playing for themselves and not for the badge?
The Citizens were fighting for every ball, every tackle made was with purpose and their zeal to win was oozing out on the field. The intent displayed by everyone was as if they’re fighting for their lives at the club. Can they secure their future by gifting their new boss with Champions League football? Ironically, their fate rests in Manchester United’s hands.
Arsenal show character
Arsenal are perennially derided for their lack of steel and character, especially in big matches. Wenger’s boys despite playing an enterprising brand of football always fall short when it matters the most. But tonight, the Gunners showed that when the situation demands, they too can rise up to the occasion.
After Spurs’ defeat earlier in the day, Arsenal’s stakes in the game went up with second place in the table was up for the grabs. They came back twice to earn a hard fought draw against a spirited Manchester City side in their own backyard. Olivier Giroud was the motivator-in-chief for the Gunners as he was directly involved in both the goals.
The visitors can hold their heads high after eking out a draw at a difficult place like the Etihad. Arsenal gave everyone a glimpse of what they are capable of. Can they turn out such spirited displays week in week out? If they can, then a season of glory is surely in the offing.
Defensive porosity adds spice to the tie
One of the major reasons why this game was an entertaining affair was the lack of solidity in defence exhibited by both the teams. The game was so stretched that every attack seemed like a clear cut opportunity.
Arsenal have been a side which has displayed quite a solid defensive organisation throughout the current season, especially in crunch encounters. Tonight, they looked their former selves where they were bullied by a diminutive figure in Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine not only bamboozled them with his pace and guile but also ruffled them in physical battles. Although, Laurent Koscielny picked himself up in the second half, but it was defensive horror show from his partner Gabriel in the heart of defence.
If Arsenal seemed woeful, then Manchester City made sure they gave their visitors a good run for their money. The City defence was so lackadaisical that even an out of form Olivier Giroud managed to get trumps on them. Gabriel’s equivalent in blue was Eliaquim Mangala. The Frenchman was utterly horrible as he gave Olivier Giroud both time and space to conjure something out during both the goals.
Notwithstanding the entertainment value of the game, these frailties have hindered the tactical and technical nous of English teams.
City in chaos
Manchester City had to win this game at any cost in order to seal the final Champions League spot and hit a sucker-punch to their illustrious neighbours. But they blew up the opportunity and now have landed themselves in a soup.
The draw leaves City just a point in front of United, who have a game in hand. If everything goes well for the Reds then City with Guardiola at the helm will have the proposition of playing Europa League. City will hope that United will blow up their chances at the Boleyn Ground and give them a backdoor entry into the Champions League.
With hundreds of millions of pounds spent by both Manchester clubs, qualifying for Europe’s premium club competition is the bare minimum expectation. Nothing hurts the most to be edged past by your nemesis. There is a lot more than just a Champions League spot at the stake here.
Football wins
It was a game which would please both the purists and modernists alike. The sheer intensity and the attacking intent on display was nerve-tingling even for the neutrals. It was a typical humdinger in which the ultimate victor was no one else but football.
Arsene Wenger and Manuel Pellegrini are not known for their tactical prowess. Both the managers believe in playing expansive and silky football. And today was a game which was an exact materialization of their philosophies. It was a game which was bereft of tactical nuances but was played more on impulse and attacking will. Both the teams threw caution to the wind and went toe-to-toe with each other.
Tactical astuteness and proficiency is a must have for any top European manager but today proved that sometimes the only tactic which pleases both fans and players alike is no holds barred attacking football. After all, this is what makes everyone fall in love with the beautiful game.
