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Club Focus - Arsenal - Clash of ideologies results in stalemate against Manchester City
Wednesday night provided the rare chance to see an ideological war played out in real life. In this encounter of purists versus pragmatists, Arsenal couldn’t score for want of trying whereas Manchester City appeared content not to try. With neither side able to provide the spark to ignite the match, the closest to an incendiary moment coming when Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna were dismissed for admittedly tame tête-à-tête.
Since Manchester City gained billionaire backing, they have rapidly developed to embody everything Arsene Wenger seemingly stands against. Organic Arsenal could not be more diametrically opposed to City’s modified crop and the differences between the sides dominated the build-up before being neatly highlighted on the pitch. With the signing of Edin Dzeko imminent before the match, Wenger could not refuse the opportunity to comment on City’s spending: “What is fantastic in football is there is no given formula… I personally am a big fan of the way we do it, so I try to be successful with the way we do it. You can also do it the way Manchester City do, [and] buy the best players in the world, and it works as well.”
When asked whether the Citizens’ alternative approach irked him, the manager confidently identified: “I run Arsenal like I feel it needs to be run… they respect the rules… so you cannot fault them. It is supposed to change, then we will see.” Whilst remaining largely respectful in his comments, Wenger’s barbed reference to the impending UEFA financial fair play rules indicate his true contempt for City’s seemingly instant recipe for success. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was similarly unconvinced by City’s ethos remarking: “Football isn't instant coffee. You have to work at it. You must grow the bean and grind it.” Yet unfortunately for the Gunners, and the neutrals, City can afford to buy the beans and on Wednesday were able grind out the point they set out to gain.
In his pre-match interview, Arsene Wenger emphasised the importance of gaining the first goal. Certainly, in Arsenal’s last titanic struggle between red and blue, Alex Song’s opener against Chelsea was key in setting the Gunners on their way to a handsome victory. Had Jack Wilshere’s cross-shot in the opening exchanges been anywhere near as polarised as the two teams contesting the match, Arsenal would have claimed the decisive opener within 90 seconds. As it was, they failed to find the net in 90 minutes. This near miss set the tone for the night where the finest of margins proved decisive. Arsenal twice struck the woodwork before Joe Hart’s fingertip save pushed Robin van Persie’s searing effort around the post as Arsenal failed to break City down.
In the ideological war, Arsenal will have gained allegiance from Wednesday night’s display, yet occupying the moral high ground does not equate to occupying the top of the table. With Arsenal falling further behind the leaders, the fact that admiration does not necessarily yield silverware was acutely highlighted. Yet, for the Wengerites and purists, victory will be all the sweeter when it does.
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