***city v arsenal official match thread***

[Douglas Higginbottom]

We struggle against any team that sits behind the ball and is well organised. It becomes even harder when it's a good team that can really hurt you when they attack. We are predictable but when Nasri and Yaya are involved we still have a good chance as they have something special to bring to the game at times. When it's only Silva they can sit tight on him and we are in trouble.

So Pellers has to work hard here and change things or will he just stay patient and hope in the last 20 with the odd substitution, that Arse will tire and we will create chances. My gut feeling is that he will bring Edin on sooner rather than later so that we have a presence for a high cross but I would worry that will help.One thing that would do is get Silva deeper and he may get on the ball more.

Whatever we try it has to be include upping the tempo and get at them quicker and yes Navas has got to get a cross or two right.He has had a few chances but either hits the front man or Mertesaker. He must get better.

[phips]

Jovetic must come on for Milner. Please don't wait for 60 minutes.

Jovetic on for Milner

[Moonchesteri]

Was a definite penalty. Silly fucking challenge
Bollocks

Which bit of his body did he actually challenge with? It wasn't his arms and it wasn't his legs.

The whole body which he shifted to try and give a sly nudge

You'll have to find me that bit in the laws of the game where "shifting your whole body" and "sly nudge" are fouls.

One can argue far more convincingly that it was a dive, which it was, and Kompany was moving to one side as he was trying to get out of the player's way.

+1

I have to say I don't know the rule book but Vinnie does that every game - move sideways to block opponents run.
If opponent gets a freekick every time, as they do, does it mean referees make the wrong call every single time?

[dick dastardley]

Sat here in the stands thiking wtf does navas do when his job is to put the ball in the box, which he ain't done on many occasions sub him for jojo

[PeterParker]

Jovetic must come on for Milner. Please don't wait for 60 minutes.

Jovetic on for Milner

So he will get upset and refuse to sign the contract.

After that display, he can fuck off.

[Lev Bronstein]

Who was the bright spark that said it would be a good thing for Arsenal to win a few games so that they overtake the Rags?

[mr_nool]

1 pass forward 3 back! Yawwwwwwn

To be fair arsenal are playing a great game closing down. Not sure how long they can keep this intensity up though

no the are not ! Arsenal are not playing well.

However we have been awful in ball movement from the back.

Perhaps we have been poor moving the ball because they have been like flies at shit.

Their shape has taken silva and aguero completely out of the game

Silva should play further up the pitch more, almost next to Aguero. They're playing very Mourinho-esque with a very crowded midfield and defense. And we only have one player (and sometimes none if Kun drops deep) asking questions of their centre backs.

[Sideshow Bob]

milner has been worse than navas by far. navas is 3x the footballer, works just as hard in cover (prob harder), yet b/c he had the nerve to be born outside of eng, he gets the dogs abuse and milner gets a pass??

[mr_nool]

Good start!

[phips]

navas still can't put in a ball =/

[Im_Spartacus]

Was a definite penalty. Silly fucking challenge
Bollocks

Which bit of his body did he actually challenge with? It wasn't his arms and it wasn't his legs.

The whole body which he shifted to try and give a sly nudge

You'll have to find me that bit in the laws of the game where "shifting your whole body" and "sly nudge" are fouls.

One can argue far more convincingly that it was a dive, which it was, and Kompany was moving to one side as he was trying to get out of the player's way.

+1

If shifting your whole body towards the attacker to deliver a sly nudge, impedes the process of the attacking player, it gives the referee a decision to make.

You will see after Monreal goes down, kompanys momentum carried him another yard after the foul. I personally reckon the ref might have blown for a dive, then saw kompany's body position and decided there was contact after all

If you're in any doubt whether it was a penalty, check kompany's reaction versus how he went batshit at the yellow card. He knew it was a penalty.

[Tru_Blu]

1. Arsenal have setup shop. You cant expect fluid football against 10 man behind the ball dumb fucks.
2. We must play direct football against these tactics. passing it with no movement off the ball is useless
3. Navas, Demy, Zab, Milner need to start acting like this is a game not fucking training.
4. COME THE FUCK ON CITY get ya head out ya ASS
5. Aguero and Komp are excused for the first half shite. But 2nd half better be diff

[carl_feedthegoat]

milner has been worse than navas by far. navas is 3x the footballer, works just as hard in cover (prob harder), yet b/c he had the nerve to be born outside of eng, he gets the dogs abuse and milner gets a pass??

There's a few die hard Milner fans on here that reckon he should be an automatic starter...(Hilarious).He offers little when he starts....an impact sub is all he offers us and if he doesn't like it then he can fuck off.

[Beefymcfc]

Demi again.

Quicker.

[mr_nool]

Wow, that touch from Silva was pure magic.

[Beefymcfc]

We're gonna get fuck all from the ref so let's play it like we're playing against 12.

[Moonchesteri]

I would've taken Fernando off for Jove and move James to centre

COME ON CITY!!!

[Lev Bronstein]

Better, need to keep the pressure on - they'll crack

[gmercer1]

Fuck me Mike Dean is a cunt

[carl_feedthegoat]

I would've taken Fernando off for Jove and move James to centre

COME ON CITY!!!

Lick lick lick.