Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2
Arsenal Cazorla 24', Giroud 67'
Man of the match Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
Manuel Pellegrini says Manchester City now need to win at Chelsea if they are to retain their Premier League title after their 14-match unbeaten run ended against Arsenal.
Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud scored for Arsenal and, while Pellegrini accused Nacho Monreal of diving to win the penalty for the opening goal, Pellegrini accepted that his side deserved to lose.
They are now five points behind league leaders Chelsea and visit Stamford Bridge on January 31 in their next league match.
“The game we must play at Stamford Bridge is very important,” Pellegrini said. “We must close the gap to two points.”
Arsenal broke the deadlock after Monreal brushed against Vincent Kompany and went down. Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot and, although Joe Hart guessed correctly, Cazorla converted the penalty.
Pellegrini said: “I think it was not a penalty. The movement of Vincent was unnecessary. The movement of Kompany allows him [Monreal] to dive.”
However, the City manager added: “The penalty changed the game, but it was not the reason we lost. We didn’t play a good game. We didn’t have the creative ideas to find space against a team that defended very well.”
Arsenal clinched victory when Cazorla curled in a free kick and Giroud got away from Fernando to head in, prompting manager Arsene Wenger to praise the Spaniard.
“Santi Cazorla has been superb for a while now, but today he was maybe even more influential,” he said. “He wants always to have the ball. He passionately loves the game.”
Arsenal had not won away from home against either of the Manchester clubs or Chelsea since October 2010, and Wenger added: “We finally got a big win in a big game away from home. What is pleasing is that reinforces the belief of the team.”
The Frenchman says it could prove a pivotal result as Arsenal, who are now fifth, look to secure another top-four finish.
“What is for sure is that it increases the level of belief and confidence,” Wenger said. “The five months in front of us are very important in the lifespan of the team. What we make of that will decide our season.”
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
