Flamini 53' Silva 18'
Flamini forbids first place from City.
"It's in their hands" - the extraordinarily original words of every football pundit in the United Kingdom, but one can't argue. Tony Pulis's relegation warriors issued a dagger to the heart of Chelsea's command over the Premier League table just two-and-a-half hours before the weekend's main act, but a Manchester City side bruised by the precipitates of fatigue could only collect a point from the Emirates Stadium. With two games in hand on Chelsea and an opportunity to achieve a four-point lead at the top of the table, the title may well be in our hands, but those hands are beginning to drip with perspiration.
The unrelenting stones of criticism have pelted Arsène Wenger's men in recent weeks as humiliating losses to Liverpool and Chelsea provided immovable resitance against their push for the title. The Gunner's possess a regrettable ability to melt under the scorching heat of their title rivals on their travels, and although they have conceded 17 goals at the homes of their fellow top four members this term, the Londoners have lost just once in the refuge of the Emirates Stadium. That impressive home record continued this weekend thanks to the vigor and vitality of veterans Tomáš Rosický and Mathieu Flamini.
(The 33-year-old Czech midfielder has been in tremendous form for Arsenal this season)
Manuel Pellegrini's men have restored the assurance that flavoured their play in the early stages of the season and a 3-0 win over their Manchester rivals on Tuesday night commenced their final march towards the Premier League trophy. A majestic midfield three of Fernandinho, Yaya Touré and David Silva composed the comfortable victory at Old Trafford and an audience of 75,000 were hypnotised by the casual one touch passing that carved another piece of meat out of the rotting corpse of Moyes's men.
The same elegance infused City's play in the early stages as they looked to assert their authority over a faltering Arsenal side, and David Silva's tap in after just 18 minutes booked his side a trip to some sight-seeing at the summit. Edin Džeko was denied his third goal in two games as his shot smashed against the post, but the ubiquitary Spaniard was perfectly placed to tap in the opener.
(David Silva celebrates the opener - via MCFC Facebook)
The blues continued to assert their dominance until Mike Dean pursed his lips against his whistle, but a flurry of chances to end Arsenal's fading title hopes failed to test Wojciech Szczęsny. Both sides had extracted valuable lessons from their high-scoring meeting back in December and the tie adopted a more conservative ambience as the half-time break approached.
For all the pace the home side lacked, tenacity and perseverance filled its place effectively. Arsenal's teamsheet, including a midfield four of Tomáš Rosický, Mathieu Flamini, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta, made pleasant reading for Manchester City fans ahead of the fixture, but the quartet rallied with obstinance in the second half to combat the tiring legs of Pellegrini's side. The Gunners were commanding the play, and it took only eight minutes for the hosts to claim a deserved equaliser when Mathieu Flamini finished past Joe Hart from a teasing Lukas Podolski cross.
(Mathieu Flamini rolls in a deserved equaliser for Arsenal - via The Times)
As the game faded into the grasp of fatigue, Wenger's men enjoyed a lengthy spell of possession to keep the blues on their toes until the final whistle blew. Four points from two games against Manchester United and Arsenal would have been welcomed at the start of the week, and although the Gunner's absence of pace in the centre of midfield could have been exposed more successfully by the blues, a draw has to be considered a satisfactory result. Upcoming ties against Southampton and Liverpool could ultimately predict City's title chances, and no can deny that the blues have the fate of the 2013/2014 campaign in their hands.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 7 - Another assured performance from the keeper who has looked comfortable since replacing Costel Pantillimon between the sticks. Made a number of crucial saves, most notably from Podolski's fierce effort.
Pablo Zabaleta 7 - City's Argentinian warrior churned out yet another tireless performance that helped the blues fight against an Arsenal onslaught late in the game.
Vincent Kompany 7 - Picked up his customary yellow card early on and did well to maintain his discipline in a fearsome tie. 
Martin Demichelis 7 - Brilliant until his unfortunate error for Flamini's goal, but the veteran is definitely improving.
Gaël Clichy 7 - A solid display from the Frenchman who did well to nullify the threat of his former teammates. 
Fernandinho 7 - Looked threatening when going forward and unleashed a couple of screamers on Sczcesny's goal. 
Yaya Touré 6 - The Arsenal boss revealed his regret at not signing the Ivorian back in 2003, but this was one of Yaya's off days. Wasn't able to bomb forward as Pellegrini kept him in the holding roll for too long. 
Jesus Navas 6 - You can't fault the Spaniard for trying, but his delivery was below par and he never really threatened Gibbs on the right. 
David Silva 7.5 - Commanded City's dominance in the first half with his usual magic, but he was tamed in the second. Scored City's goal. 
Samir Nasri 6 - Played to the tune of monotonous booing from his former fans, and it affected his game. Quiet.
Edin Džeko 6 - His fierce strike against the post set up City's opener, but the Bosnian was unable to affect the game in the latter stages.Substitutes
James Milner 6 - Possibly should have started over Navas.
Javi Garcia 6 - Allowed Touré to push forward, but it was too late.
Álvaro Negredo - no time to mark.
Match Stats
Shots on target: Arsenal 3 - 4 Manchester City
Shots off target: Arsenal 6 - 6 Manchester City
Blocked shots: Arsenal 1 - 4 Manchester City
Corners: Arsenal 6 - 6 Manchester City
Fouls: Arsenal 8 - 11 Manchester City
Pass Completion: Arsenal 82% - 82% Manchester City
Tackle Success: Arsenal 53% - 55% Manchester City
Possession: Arsenal 49% - 51% Manchester City
