Defensive Gunners stun City

Santi Cazorla scored one and created another as Arsenal stunned Premier League champions Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at Etihad Stadium.

The Gunners are often criticised for their ability to not be able to beat their top four rivals, especially away from home, but a Cazorla penalty and Olivier Giroud header ensured they claimed maximum points with a composed and disciplined performance.

Not only was this a victory to prove Arsene Wenger's men can defy their critics and compete with the best but it was also a defensive display to be proud of as they ended City's 12-game unbeaten league run. Last season the Gunners shipped in 17 goals in their league trips to the top three and serious questions were asked about Wenger and his squad. In stark contrast Arsenal have four points from trips to Liverpool and City so far this season so, although their league position is far from ideal, these results cannot be ignored. Arsenal are now up to fifth, one point behind Manchester United and just three points off third-placed Southampton.

A return of four points from two games against champions City, along with a 3-0 victory in the Community Shield, is magnificent but could the recent performance and result at Etihad Stadium prove to be a turning point for the London club?

Going into the game City were huge favourites and, after a shaky opening few minutes, many people were probably thinking it was going to be the hosts' day. Arsenal had other ideas and Wenger defied his critics and got it tactically spot on against Manuel Pellegrini's men, who are now five points behind leaders Chelsea. Rather than play his usual open attacking style of play, Wenger set up to defend and it worked. Despite not having too much of the ball over the 90 minutes and having to defend 16 corners, something that is often their weakness, the Gunners held firm and didn't crumble as some expected may happen, even after the second goal. The defence display was excellent and Wenger deserves a lot of credit for his side's performance.

Per Mertesacker, who has been criticised for his dip in form this season, had a solid game. Despite not making many tackles, his positioning and general play was better than normal and it made a big difference that he had his defensive team-mates protecting him more. Laurent Koscielny put in a strong performance but it was full-backs Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin who particularly impressed. Although it remains frustrating that Wenger hasn't made much movement in the transfer market, other than the pending arrival of young midfielder Krystian Bielik, he has to be given some credit for how he has plugged some of the gaps. With Mathieu Debuchy out for three months, Bellerin came in to deputise against City and was one of the stand-out performers. We need one or two more experienced players added to the squad but it is very reassuring to see youngsters like Bellerin fitting in so well.

I cannot talk about Arsenal's younger players without giving huge praise to Francis Coquelin. The Gunners have been crying out for an experienced defensive midfielder and Wenger has come in for big criticism for not buying one (as of yet). When Coquelin was recalled from his loan spell at Charlton some of the Gunners' faithful were not too impressed at this being the solution. A few games on and some are actually now debating whether the Frenchman could in fact be the solution. The 23-year-old is very composed on the ball and plays a very clever game, always thinking about where the ball is and what needs to be done. He doesn't do what some Gunners' players do with lots of fancy foot work but that is actually just what we need. He does the most important thing - he keeps it simple!

As his fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey said of his team-mate on the club's official website "He has done a very good job defensively for the team.
“He wins it back, keeps it simple and just keeps things ticking over." Coquelin is still getting used to regular first-team football but early signs are very encouraging. If he keeps on playing the way he has been doing I see no reason why he can't be the permanent solution to our defensive midfielder problem. Although he is performing admirably we probably still need someone more experienced in that position, especially to cover for any injury and to give Coquelin a break as he continues to adapt to the game. Mathieu Flamini can fill the void but he doesn't fill me with as much confidence as he used to. Coquelin really is doing superbly well though and long may it continue.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey were quieter than normal but still played their part in one of the most composed and disciplined displays we have put in all season. But it was Cazorla who really ran the show in midfield with a man of the match display to continue his superb run of form. The Spain international was vital to everything Arsenal did against City, getting them out of pressure situations and being generally clever in the middle of the park. He clearly loves his football even more at the moment and his influence is helping us turn a corner in our season.

Alexis Sanchez was quiet by his standards and I even saw comments from some fans saying he had a poor game. Yes, he might not have been his usually lively self but he still worked tirelessly and played a big role in ensuring we got the victory. I think sometimes people think if he doesn't score it means he hasn't played as well, but his influence cannot be underestimated. Even just being on the pitch his presence has a massive impact on the team and I still think he had a decent game against City even though he wasn't one of the stand-out performers.

Giroud admittedly didn't do too in terms of his overall performance but he scored the key second goal and is vital to the team. He has had his fair share of criticism but he has returned from injury and shown glimpses of quality. The French striker has now scored against City (twice), Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton and proven he can cut it against the big sides. He didn't score against Chelsea but to be fair none of our players really had a good game that day.

Tomas Rosicky looked lively when he came on while Kieran Gibbs and Flamini didn't really have long enough to make a big impact but did help ensure we held on for the victory and a clean sheet. To keep a clean sheet away at the champions makes the performance even more impressive, so credit must go to goalkeeper David Ospina.

Wojciech Szczesny is the Gunners' regular number one but was recently dropped. Whether he is being rested or being made to realise his place in the side isn't guaranteed or, if it is due to the incident of smoking in the dressing room following the defeat by Southampton, is another story. Whatever the reason Ospina got his chance and, although he hasn't had too much to do in recent matches, he has kept three clean sheets in three games and that cannot be ignored. It is often said that the sign of a good goalkeeper is that even in games when there is little to do he can still stay composed when called upon. The clean sheets indicate that he can. I wouldn't be surprised if Szczesny gets his place back soon as on his day he can be a quality goalkeeper, although his erratic nature and errors this season were very frustrating. If it was down to me I would keep Ospina in. As the saying goes, if it's not broke don't fix it!

Back to the match, and in a first half of few chances Arsenal took the lead when they were awarded a penalty following Vincent Kompany's clumsy foul on Monreal after 24 minutes. Cazorla made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick despite City goalkeeper Joe Hart diving the right way.

City started the second half with a lot more purpose and came close to levelling the scores within five minutes of the restart. An angled shot from Jesus Navas was well kept out by Ospina before Fernandinho's effort was deflected over soon after.

The hosts were being stifled by the Gunners' defence and were unable to find a goal and Wenger's men took advantage by doubling their lead after 67 minutes. Cazorla cleverly lifted his free-kick into the box for Giroud, who also scored against City in the Community Shield victory, to head home his sixth league goal of the season.

City tried to get back into the match but substitute Stevan Jovetic and Kompany both wasted chances, while Edin Dzeko saw his effort saved by Ospina as Arsenal held on for victory.

After such an impressive display Arsenal will need to make sure they don't let any complacency sneak into their game as they look to finish the month on a high in the FA Cup fourth-round clash at Brighton.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS