Football: Premier League - Arsenal 0, Man City 0
Published: 6 January, 2011
by TOM FOOT
Wenger lauds ‘title contenders’
Manager takes positives after stubborn City prevent Gunners overtaking them
ARSENE Wenger believes Manchester City’s stifling performance at the Emirates last night (Wednesday) is proof of a newfound respect for his “strong” side and shows the Gunners have become real title contenders.
The Arsenal boss said he was disappointed by the visitors’ “frustrating” time-wasting tactics that he said showed early on a gameplan for 0-0.
Wenger said: “They got what they wanted and the players are of course disappointed.
“But no way can we lose courage or belief. This match, it shows how we come out with the opposite – more belief in our quality and resolute for the coming games.
“It shows we have what it takes, we are contenders.”
Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott all hit the post as the Gunners frontmen swarmed around the City area in a whirlwind first 20 minutes.
Van Persie forced a fingertip save from Joe Hart in the second half but former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure was rock-solid and shut the Gunners out.
Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta were both sent off for some frustrated forehead-nudging on 90 minutes.
The £170million City team managed just one shot on target and left to jeers of “boring, boring City”.
League leaders Manchester United are now four points clear of third-place Arsenal with a game in hand.