Arsenal

[toythatkills]

Yeah, we're all quite happy about that.

Sounds like injuries ruined his chances at Arsenal.

Coming through the Arsenal Academy ruined his chances at Arsenal. It's like a fast-track to the Championship and League One.

[Rsdio]

We had him a few years ago at Huddersfield, he was well liked here so a lot of us have kept an eye out for him since. His general play was pretty impressive for a 17 year-old but he tended to turn to jelly in front of goal. Since he seems to have found his shooting boots in League 1 he could do well in the Championship but his previous loans at that level have been underwhelming at best (I vaguely remember the Bolton fans talking about him in terms of the worst players they've ever had). It'll be interesting to see how he does with that extra bit of confidence.

I don't think he'd ever have got anywhere near being much of an option for yourselves to be honest.

[suzzopher]

Arteta out for three months: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30832560

[The Fox]

So basically for the rest of the season then.

[suzzopher]

Looks like Debuchy is also out for three months

[toythatkills]

Don't panic, Wenger is "working really hard" on signings.

WORKING REALLY HARD.

[Dude Ranch]

[The Fox]

He's gonna have to buy now Debuchy and Arteta are out for most of the season. Surely. SURELY. I haven't got a bloody clue who, mind.

Wonder what sort of team we'll put out at City. Will Ramsey come back into the side? Will he go for a conservative Coq-Flamini pairing in midfield? It offers more protection in theory, but build up from deep would be horrible. I think if he does go with Coq-Flamini, he needs Santi as the third midfielder to be able to build anything.

Ospina; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Flamini, Cazorla; Ox, Giroud, Alexis

Subs: Szczesny, Bellerin, Gibbs, Ramsey, Özil, Walcott, Welbeck (if fit, Rosicky if not)

Only other option is Ramsey in for Flamini I think, with instructions to stay deeper than normal. Coquelin's positioning is probably even worse than Flamini's and he'll need a lot of assistance with Silva.

[hauk]

Everything's fine, we are signing Bielik today!

I imagine we'll line up with the same team as against Stoke, but I'm not sure we have a chance away at City with a midfield 3 of Coquelin, Rosicky and Cazorla. We need all our best players firing on all cylinders to win these games.

[toythatkills]

Well if we get Bielik done I assume he'll walk right into the side.

We'll beat Man City if we play well, we just never really seem to against "big" teams, let alone for two matches consecutively.

[gizmo1990]

We'll be lucky to get a draw, but with Alexis's 'doesn't know when to give up' attitude, who knows..!

[pinholestar]

This may be sacrilegious to say as a Gooner but I'd almost like to see us play for a draw for once, rather than leave ourselves hopelessly overexposed away against a big team yet again. Wenger's not completely averse to setting the team up like that (I'm sure he did it to good effect against Dortmund last year) and I'd be happy with a point against the champions at their own ground.

[Revival]

Hope you win. Sanchez hat-trick please.

[toythatkills]

Bellerin, Monreal, Mertesacker and Koscielny, with Coquelin.

Aguero must be quaking in his boots.

[toythatkills]

And Koscielny booked in three minutes. No probs.

[pinholestar]

Yes!!!

[Mars]

Get in!

[Silent Runner]

Quality penalty. I take it Komoany was booked there?

[toythatkills]

Don't think so

[humdrum]

That's just was I was coming in to ask?

[Mars]

Love the 'OooooooooooooSPINAAAA!'

[SaintM]

Quality penalty. I take it Komoany was booked there?

I expect him to get an apology after the game, rather than a booking.

[carlito]

I fucking love Giroud.

[toythatkills]

I expect him to get an apology after the game, rather than a booking.

It was soft but it was a definite penalty.

[SaintM]

I think it was for any team other than your own, you'd say it wasn't a penalty. I think every football fan would say the same in the same position, mind.

[pinholestar]

Bit frantic in the last 10 minutes there, but that was an excellent first-half performance. Silva & Aguero anonymous so far & we're seeng the benefits of the 4-1-4-1 or whatever it is in this game, for sure.

[sith]

I support Man Utd and I think it was a definite penalty. Kompany is not even trying to play the ball.

[toythatkills]

I think it was for any team other than your own, you'd say it wasn't a penalty. I think every football fan would say the same in the same position, mind.

I think I'd be really pissed off, but at the defender. I'm sure Arsenal have given hundreds of these away over the last few years. It was just a bit stupid.

Anyway, that couldn't have gone much better, but you've gotta assume that Man City aren't going to be that bad in the second half, especially if they get rid of Kompany at half time as they probably should do.

[The Fox]

Just typically clumsy play from Kompany really.

Good half from everyone apart from Ox I'd say. Smart pressing and good retention of shape off the ball. Just gonna be a bit crap when Lampard gets a deflected 82nd minute equaliser.

[pinholestar]

Looked like a deliberate obstruction leading to a trip in the penalty area to me. Penalty all day.