Arsenal Move Up To Second

Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League table with a 3-0 over 10-man Manchester City at Eastlands. 

Joe Hart lifted City spirits when he saved a penalty from Cesc Fabregas, but Alex Song put the result beyond doubt midway through the second half, before substitute Nicklas Bendtner announced his return from injury with a goal late on.

The Gunners moved above both Manchester clubs into second place on goal difference, with the trio all five points below leaders Chelsea.

City went into this clash sitting second in the table behind the Blues having already beaten the champions this season, and the fixture was nicely poised for them to further boost their title credentials.

They almost got off to a great start when Carlos Tevez showed great determination to drive down the right and square a low ball for David Silva, who almost beat Lukasz Fabianski with a backheel flick.

But those hopes were dealt a severe blow when 19-year-old defender Boyata brought down Marouane Chamakh right on the edge of the box as the last man, and referee Mark Clattenburg had no choice but to show him a red card for the fastest dismissal in the Premier League in two-and-a-half years.

Unperturbed, City’s attacking triumvirate of Tevez, Silva and James Milner continued to asked questions of the gunners, who picked up for bookings in the first half.

However, after Johan Djourou had headed an effort over the bar, Nasri put the visitors ahead on 20 minutes. The Frenchman played a neat one-two with Andrei Arshavin, completely lost Gareth Barry and fired his strike past Hart at the near post.

City continued to show more ambition with 10 men than they often do with 11, with Micah Richards curling a left-footed effort wide of the far upright.

But when Vincent Kompany brought down Fabregas inside the City area with five minutes of the half remaining, it looked all over for City, only for Hart to save the Arsenal captain’s spot-kick well to his left.

City boss Roberto Mancini made changes, although his hand was forced by two of his key players picking up knocks. Wayne Bridge replaced Yaya Toure at half-time, and not long into the second half former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor replaced Tevez.

City continued to fashion chances after the break, with Fabianski called into action to make another fine save from Silva before Adebayor headed over the bar.

But their resolve was finally broken on 66 minutes when Bridge diverted Fabregas’s pass for Chamkah into the path of Song, and the Cameroon midfielder lashed a crisp finish past Hart.

The one positive for Mancini, aside from his side’s spirit despite being a man down for so long, was the introduction of Mario Balotelli after the Italian striker had missed so much of the season thus far through injury.

However, Arsene Wenger had two players of his returning back fit, and after he brought on Theo Walcott and Bendtner the later scored his first goal of the season.

Nasri kept the ball in play on the halfway line before picking out the Dane, who went on to lift a clinical finish over the onrushing Hart.

Wenger will also be heartened to have witnessed another good performance from Fabianski, underlined by his tipping over a curling shot from Jerome Boateng in injury time, ensuring Arsenal kept their first clean sheet away from home in 15 games in all competitions.

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