Agüero 13', Negredo 38', Fernandinho 50', 87' Walcott 30', 62'
Silva 65', Yaya Touré 95' (pen)
Goals galore as City soar above Wenger's high flying Gunners.
The Etihad Stadium was treated to a formidable flurry of goals on Saturday afternoon as Manchester City and Arsenal netted a nectarous nine goals between them. The titanic tug-of-war served as an educational experience for Wenger's wannabes as Manuel's army marched over a muted Arsenal midfield.
The tie, prompted by many to be the game of the season, certainly lived up to its title as arguably the two best teams in the league notched up some nutritious and mouthwatering attacking football.
The game commenced with an openness enough to unsettle the most sanguine supporter with Wilshere and Walcott combining dangerously inside Manchester City's 18 yard box. However, the blues continued their season-long tradition of snatching the early goal when Sergio Agüero fired an exquisite volley past Wojciech Szczęsny in the 13th minute. Samir Nasri's corner was flicked on by Martin Demichelis into the path of the Argentine who smashed home his 13th goal in 15 league games.
(Sergio Agüero celebrates his delicious opener)
The goal infused a malignant impudence into City's play and Vincent Kompany's excellent turn of skill to feed in Álvaro Negredo just 7 minutes later nearly supplied City with their second. However, The Gunners showcased the resilience that has characterised their play this season and punished the blues for some sloppy play on the 30 minute mark.
A complacent turn by Yaya Touré was snatched up by Mesut Özil who teed up Theo Walcott to plant a tame equaliser past a static Costel Pantillimon. The Romanian giant was rooted to the ground in the build up and will have been disappointed to allow such a gentle finish to roll past him.
The return of David Silva cast a mesmerizing spell on proceedings and the midfield magician was proving his worth with some penetrative eye-of-the-needle play. The equaliser had done little to restrain a rampant City side unwilling to surrender their 100% home form and they took the lead once again just seven minutes before the half time whistle blew. A sorcerous ball from Yaya Touré was calmly caressed by Pablo Zabaleta who slid in a perfect ball for Álvaro Negredo who tapped home. The beautifully beastly partnership of Álvaro and Kun has seen at least one of the members of the couplet score in every home game this season, but this time, both of them were on the scoresheet.
(Álvaro Negredo bagged his 7th league goal of the season on Saturday)
Pablo Zabaleta has provided more assists than any other Premier League defender this year and the Argentine was proving his abilities in both attacking and defending again on Saturday.
The second half began with two significant casualties to both teams. Laurent Koscielny limped off with a knee injury suffered in the build up to Negredo's goal and a calf injury cruelly forced Sergio Agüero off the field of play. The injury threatened to dim the buzzing Etihad atmosphere but Fernandinho's delightul curling finish in the 50th minute ensured proceedings would continue to amaze. A poor pass from Mesut Özil was pick-pocketed by the Brazilian who opened his account for the blues in true samba style.
(Fernandinho is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his first goal for the club)
3-1 with 40 minutes to go, the Premier League's top scorers eyed another North London annihilation. However, it was the visitors who commanded the half's early play with Olivier Giroud squandering a number of priceless opportunities to put his side back in the game. Costel Pantillimon's timorousness in the air concocted a nervy aura around the stadium and the crowd sensed that more goals were coming.
As expected, The Gunners fired once again with Theo Walcott sensationally curling his second goal of the game past a helpless Costel Pantillimon. The Englishman's recall to the team was proving to be an inspired decision by Arsenal's French enforcer and his goal turned the tides once again as the Londoners began to dominate. Their ascendancy lasted all but three minutes, however, and the blues added a 6th goal to the game.
Agüero's replacement Jesús Navas immediately petrified his Spanish compatriot Nacho Monreal with his pace and played in David Silva who finished wonderfully past Arsenal's Polish stopper. Two goals in two games for 'Merlin' confirmed how important Silva is to Manchester City and the fans are delighted to have him back.
(David Silva scores City's fourth of the game)
The best defense in the Premier League were struggling in the absence of Koscielny as their tally catapulted from 11 to 15 goals conceded. The spectacle almost welcomed its finest goal of the day when Jack Wilshere's 30 yard drive was acrobatically stopped by Pantillimon. The Gunners were fading, but the element of class never left their game.
Nevertheless, a savage City side sensed more blood and Man of the Match Fernandinho was on hand to masterfully chip over Szczęsny to make it 5-2 and game over in the 87th minute. The Brazilian's faultless display was rewarded with his second goal for the club and the £30m paid for the midfielder is gradually being repaid.
(The Brazilian scored two goals in an exceptional Man of the Match performance)
Extraordinarily, the game was still hungry for more goals and Per Mertesacker's 93rd minute header highlighted City's defensive frailties this season. City's outstanding player of the mid-week win in Germany, however, was eager to continue his fine form and burst into the Arsenal box only to be brought down for a 95th minute penalty. Up stepped Yaya Touré who administered the icing on top of a glistening Premier League cake.
(Yaya Touré slots home City's 6th of the afternoon)
An onimous message was sent out to Wenger's wannabes on Saturday afternoon which signaled the unrivaled majesty and might of Manuel Pellegrini's minions. 35 goals in 8 home games is a record no team seems to be capable of suppressing and the Citizens are well and truly hungry for the title.
Player Ratings
Costel Pantillimon 6A nervy performance from the Romanian who showed hesitancy in the air and slow reaction time for Walcott's first goal. He'll have to step up if he is to keep Joe Hart out of the team.
Pablo Zabaleta 9Impenetrable, ruthless and unfaultable. Intimidated Jack Wilshere with some crushing tackles and was heavily involved in most of City's attacking play.
Martin Demichelis 7Generally solid and allowed Sergio to smash home the opener.
Vincent Kompany 8Didn't put a foot wrong all game and even showed some of his attacking abilities with some Maradona-like runs.
Gael Clichy 7The introduction of Theo Walcott threatened to ruin the Frenchman's day but he was solid and composed throughout.
Samir Nasri 8Was disappointed not to score but he twisted and turned magnificently in front of his old teammates.
Fernandinho 9Allowed City's magnificent attack to control the game and then exampled some of his own wizardry. His first two goals for the club showed that the Brazilian is not restricted to just sweeping up the play and his first goal was the pick of the lot today.
Yaya Toure 8His excellent performance was tainted by a complacent backpass that allowed Arsenal to equalise in the first half. Other than that, he was an incessant steamroller that Arsenal's midfield failed to stop.
David Silva 8Comfortably won the battle of Silva v Ozil with his typical elegance. Scored and was afforded a 20 minute rest.
Sergio Aguero 8
His unbelievable opener opened the flood gates until he was unfortunately forced off with a calf injury.
Alvaro Negredo 8His work rate is exemplary and he was forced to tackle Arsenal's defence by himself in the second half. Held up the ball remarkably well and scored his 13th goal in all competitions.
Substitutes
Navas 8 - Excellent display from the Spaniard who scared the hell out of Monreal. Grabbed an assist.
Milner 7 - won a penalty and worked tirelessly for his team.
Garcia - no time to mark
