There was a lot of caution and respect for the quality of the opponents from both Arsenal and Man City in this big Premier League match and for a large part of the first half it looked like it might lead to something of a dull draw. But with both sides having a lot of counter attacking threat, a first goal always had the potential to change things.
And what an opening goal it was from Theo Walcott, pretty much out of the blue and just over a minute after De Bruyne had a good chance at the other end. I am not even sure if Ozil’s assist was meant for THeo but the England striker tok it, cut back and unleashed an absolute corker of a long range curling shot that Hart could not get near.
City then had to push forward and that was dangerous but it was a bad mistake by Mangala that allowed Ozil the ball and the space to grab a second assist which Giroud slotted under Hart with style on the stroke of half time.
That looked to have done it and for most of the second half it was Arsenal that looked more likely to score but despite some great play and chances we did not get the third. And that made for a very nervous finale after Yaya Toure had got City back into it with a beauty.
Thankfully the Gunners stood strong and defended well and so we took the crucial three points. How important this win will be, only time will tell but our title challenge is well and truly on track