What They Say - Arsenal v Man City

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
17 Apr	7:45 PM	P	Manchester City (H)	3	1	Win

Man City tonight, and I've been having a chat with some Citeh fans on mancityforum.co.uk to find our their thoughts on things such as relegation battles, money, laziness and passing from the penalty spot! Enjoy...

With your current run of form, you seem to have got yourselves out of danger of a relegation battle, but did you perhaps expect more from this season?

At the very beginning of the season, I expected that we'd do better. As it went on, it began to dawn that it's hard to compete and achieve much when you spend the least in the Premiership. Money's not everything, but us failing to buy a reliable striker has impacted on us, and assuming we get one, it'll be much better next season. We also need someone to create chances more, but one step at a time - Micahrichardsatemybaby

We should be expecting more from a season, but I think after the way last season ended there was a sense of doom and gloom at the start of this season. So whilst we should be aiming higher, our league place now is pretty much what I expected at the start of the season.

Also, another FA Cup run was a bonus, although we never had to play any top quality opposition, and then the players let us down badly in the quarter-final.

And finally...it is the second year running that we have been knocked out in the second round (our first game) of the league cup by a team from the lower leagues. That needs addressing - Squidge

Of course. We always expect more. There's little point going in to the season expecting to struggle and given that at least 5th and 6th are always up for grabs you have to aim for Europe - chilidog

Not really, we are in a transitional time at the club and Midtable was what I expected. Keegan Blew lots of money and we are still suffering as a result. Hence why we look for bosmans and low priced talent - Barca Azul

Do you have faith that Stuart Pearce is the man to lead you forward?

This is really tricky. City fans seem to be divided over whether Stuart Pearce has done a good job, working under financial constraints, or whether we've had a good enough squad to do much better. I think he can do something with us, providing we give him enough time and support, and we've got some great youth players coming through, like Daniel Sturridge, who'll be looking to make an impact next season - Micahrichardsatemybaby

Tricky one that. Hasn't had much money, but also hasn't proved to be very good with what he has spent. Just look at Bernardo Corradi and to some extent Ousmane Dabo. However, the recent short term signings of Michael Ball and Emile M'Penza have been inspired. Hopefully it is a sign of great things to come in the transfer market. Substitutions made by Mr. Pearce regularly leave a lot to be desired, often not really making tactical sense at all. Still...i think it is looking more and more likely that he will still be in a job next season. Doesn't have the support of everyone though - Squidge

Yes and no. To be honest, I don't believe he's been given the opportunity to prove himself against the rest of the Prem on a level playing ground. When Portsmouth are splashing money like confetti, the only way we can truly judge SP is to give him a minimum of 10mil to spend and see from there. (And I don't mean 10mil to replace Distin or anyone else we might lose but 10mil to improve) Tactically he has seemed a trifle slow to react when things haven't been going right, but again, time will tell - chilidog

Yes, I think he has done a great job considering. He is not scared to throw the youngsters in above high waged wastes of time or under performers. I still think he has lots to learn, but he doesn't give up or throw his toys out of the pram when results are not going our way.

He hasn't had any real money to spend and getting the likes of Ball and Mpenza on Frees is good work. Lets see what he can do when he can spend a little money as well - Barca Azul

Which of your players have really stood out for you this season and who do you think could make the difference for you on Tuesday night?

It's between Richard Dunne and Joey Barton. Across the season, Joey's been the most improved player, and his eye for goal is much improved, but Richard Dunne is consistantly consistant, which is rare to see at City. I think we're unlikely to be going toe to toe with Arsenal so Dunne's success in defending the free-flowing football will probably be most important on Tuesday - Micahrichardsatemybaby

Given that Arsenal will attack us and we won't exactly be going gung-ho then the two key men will be Richard Dunne and Joey Barton as they have been all season. Dunne, as usual, has been sensational and is by far the most under-rated defender in the premiership. He would slip into any premiership side comfortably. And Barton has shown a lot more maturty. Still not the perfect player , but if he stays with us he could become a minor hero in my opinion, and definatley has future captain potential.

Otherwise you have to look at M'Penza and say he has saved our season with a couple of really really crucial goals, without him we would be screwed now - Squidge

Dunne, Distin, Richards have shone. The lack of goals conceded shows this. Barton gets better every year, and the acquisition of Ball and Mpenza has saved our season - chilidog

Barton, Dunne, Distin, Richards - more lately Ball, Mpenza, Beasley, Onouha and we have 2 good Keepers. Vassell has pace and plays well if given an attacking role with support - Cannon

Dunne is immense - a man who bleeds for the club - if he plays poorly we're screwed. Barton has had a good season, but he's not as good as he thinks he is - yet. The emergence of Richards, Onuoha and recently Johnson goes to show that a good academy will pay dividends - Timpblue

Which of your players has been really disappointing this season and why?

Signings who've failed to deliver have been the order of the day this season, and it's between two of those, most probably. Either Hamann or Corradi, the former because he's got a big reputation, and is obviously a great player, but he's been injured for most of the time and looks like he's winding down his career a bit. He could be smoking a pipe and shuffling round in slippers the way he moves on the pitch for us sometimes. It's got to be the latter because he's capped by Italy, so you'd expect some kind of redeeming talents. I've been looking, and there doesn't seem to be any - Micahrichardsatemybaby

Bernardo Corradi, shows very little passion. To be fair we don't play to his strengths, but he has very had little impact and we have gone on a decent little run whilst he hasn't been in the team. Also speaking out against the manager during a difficult period for Pearce and the club in general was very unhelpful. We should get shut in the summer - Squidge

Corradi. Corradi. Oh, and Corradi. You could probably add most of our frontline to that, but a lot of our goalscoring problems stem from the lack of attacking width in our team and the lack of a creative midfielder. Oh, and Corradi - chilidog

Corradi (slow and uncreative), Samaras (just poor and lacking in confidence & ability), Dickov (injured too much) - Cannon

Where do you start? Corradi, Samaras,Hamman, Dabo all brought in on good money and all kack. If you wonder why we've scored so few goals this season - look these four for starters - Timpblue

With Arsenal a little plagued with injuries at the moment, who do you fear most from our current squad and why?

I'm very glad Henry and van Persie are out, because I think they're your most potent attacking threats at the moment, that's the most important thing. Otherwise, in terms of creating chances that'll hurt us it's Fabregas, while I think Hleb and Rosicky are pretty brilliant too. Adebayor has been playing very well recently too - Micahrichardsatemybaby

I don't know much about your injury situation, but Fabregas at the top of his game is one to be admired, and feared. Very good threat for Arsenal. Otherwise it's obviously Henry. Perhaps not his best season, but still one of the world's best non-the-less - Squidge

Fabregas and freddie - both class players with ability - Cannon

Fabregas - quite simply going to be the best midfielder in Europe - if he keeps his gob shut - Timpblue

No one really, Henry, Walcott and van Persie are all quality players, but look likely to miss the game, and only maybe Baptista from Madrid. He seems to be playing better for Arsenal than he ever did at Madrid - Barca Azul

You are one of many teams to soak up a lot of Arsenal pressure and nick a goal and win the game this season, what do you think has been Arsenal's biggest problem against some of the smaller teams in the league?

Maybe be a little too easy to blame complacency here, but it's so hard to think of anything else. One of the best teams in England/Europe, do the double over Man United yet drop points to several "smaller" clubs...what else could it be? - Squidge

Obviously I can't comment on Arsenal losing to City, us not being one of those small teams and all. But, perhaps that attitude is the reason for Arsenal's downfall. Turn up thinking your playing a small team and you'll probably end up losing. Successful teams are successful because they don't become complacent - chilidog

Lack of scoring ability when chances are created. Slightly unpredictable defence at times - Cannon

When you get a chance to shoot - do it. It's all very pretty but you don't get points for style. And what's this business about smaller clubs! - Timpblue

Would you settle for results through defensive football, or would you like to see your side attack and pass the ball like Arsenal at their best?

That's the big thing about some of the football we've played under Stuart Pearce, that sometimes we've had to be a bit defensive and try and grind a result out, and as a club with attacking traditions, lots of supporters don't like that. As for me, I'm happy for us to ensure we stay out of trouble for this season, as long as we invest in the summer and add some players who can pass the ball around an play some pretty football. We need to follow the example of Blackburn - beat teams up for a bit and then add some nice flair players in the mould of Pederson. That'd be good - Micahrichardsatemybaby

Easy, attack like Arsenal. Nobody wants to watch boring football, we have had to watch a lot of boring football this season, and very rarely got the points...so it's a lose-lose situation. Hopefully we can get some more creative players in in the summer and we can be a bit more exciting - Squidge

If it meant winning the league then I'd put up with the occassional chant of boring boring City from the opposition. (Arsenal know what that's like, right?) But the truth lies somewhere in between. You need a solid defence, but you have to have some flair to break down Prem defences - chilidog

Pearce will settle for a defensive 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1 - and away from home against you - it's probably a good tactic. We have a decent record of scoringon the break lately. I'd really like to see us pass the ball better and make opportunities, but we need to work on it and SP seems to be concentrating on not getting beat rather than winning - Cannon

All football fans want to see attractive football, but I would always take 3 points before perfect football - blueinyorkshire

Then again, it can go a bit too far, like passing from the penalty spot! What did you make of the Píres and Henry incident against you at Highbury last season?

Hilarious. It was a bit annoying (and made them look a bit stupid) that you tried it at 1-0, and if we hadn't had a goal disallowed, which shouldn't have been, in that game, we might have hurt you for it. But it would've been a touch of style had it come off, so fair play I suppose - Micahrichardsatemybaby

Farcical. Some people said it was a bit disrespectful, but to be fair it would have been brilliant if it had of come-off. As it happened it was highly entertaining anyway! - Squidge

Arogance. Pure and simple. Oh, and complacency again. Arsenal lack the killer instinct right now and that costs you too many points to make you realistic contenders at the moment - chilidog

Total embarasing for all concerned from Arsenal - lack of respect for City. Won't try that again in a hurry - Cannon

a) Cheeky sods b) see 6 - Timpblue

So, you beat us earlier in the season, how confident are you of doing it again?

Not confident at all. I watched the highlights of that game the other day, and though we had three good chances in the game, it was a miracle you didn't score. This is the first game at the Emirates since the Hammers beat you isn't it? So I don't think you'll be up for it being two in a row. I can see us getting a right kicking. Having said that, we've now good a great young passer in the team, in Johnson, who can also take a good corner, and we've got a great striker who can lead the line in Mpenza, so maybe we can do you some damage and make it a double - Micahrichardsatemybaby

Not very! Our record against you is poor, although I suppose the "jynx" is now broken! A draw would be a good result, with a good, respectable performance to go with it, and showing a bit of ambition in the game. Now we're almost certainly safe we don't have to sit back and frustrate teams (and our own fans) we can at leat try and be a bit more adventurous. If it doesn't work then oh well, at least we tried for once. Also important to avoid a tonking! - Squidge

Not very. Although our away form has been the best in the entire league since boxing day, I think a win at The Emirates is pushing it. Perhaps a draw - chilidog

I think city are on form, I am sure you all know we will put 10 men behind the ball and try to sneak one on the break, but I feel you will nick it 1-0 - blueinyorkshire

And finally, how do you expect Arsenal to fare in the race for 3rd place?

I think you've only got a small chance. Liverpools last five fixtures are much easier, and you've got Chelsea and Spurs to play. With a bit of luck, they'll have their eye on the Champions League semi and maybe you can slip in and nick it, but I'd be surprised - Micahrichardsatemybaby

It will go to Liverpool. Try again next year - Squidge

I actually think it will go to the wire, Liverpools extra games and lack of fit / quality strkers may tell, but you don't get too many goals lately so it will be close - but I predict Liverpool to just about scrape it - Cannon

Forget it, take 4th this year and be grateful that Bolton don't take it from you - Timpblue

A non starter to be honest and they should be more concerned about keeping fourth!! - Barca Azul

My football hatred spans all clubs, so I dont care to be honest, but I'd rather it was Arsenal than Liverpool - blueinyorkshire

Thanks to all those City fans for their thoughts, probably the best responses I've had so far. To follow the discussion in full, click here.

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