Talking Heads: Arsenal v Manchester City

Before and after every first-team fixture, our co-commentator and an Arsenal blogger will have their say on the game.
Arsenal took on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and our Talking Heads for this game were former Gunner Adrian Clarke and Tim Stillman from Vital Arsenal.
ADRIAN CLARKE, CO-COMMENTATORIt was a really disappointing afternoon for Arsenal. It all began with Laurent Koscielny’s red card - and I don’t feel the Gunners can have too many complaints about the decision – and that moment ultimately swung the match very much in Man City’s favour. After the sending off I felt Arsenal sat back too much, allowing the champions to monopolise possession and control proceedings completely, and as well as this, concentration levels could have been better too.

Momentary lapses contributed to both City goals, which were preventable in my opinion. In the second half once the side switched to a 4-2-1-2 formation Arsenal improved in all areas but you never sensed there was a realistic chance of a famous comeback. I thought Jack Wilshere played very well again, but the side only created a half chance from Olivier Giroud, and a good effort from Theo Walcott to show for their efforts. With vital matches looming on the horizon, confidence has to be quickly restored.
What a hugely important match this is for both clubs, and what a boost it would give Arsenal  should they reproduce the performance and result achieved on Manchester City’s last visit to the Emirates. It’s a good time to play the champions. They’re without two of their best players in Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, and you get the feeling it isn’t the happiest of camps right now. If the Gunners are to win, they must try to dominate possession and territory.

I would fancy the likes of Walcott, Giroud, Cazorla and Chamberlain to trouble City’s back four, and that’s why the match needs to be played in that half of the pitch for as long as possible. If Arsène Wenger’s side drop off and allow the champions to get a foothold, I fear they have the creative ability to score two or three goals themselves. I can’t wait for kick-off. It’s set to be a fascinating game.