Manchester City against Arsenal

The game is looking well and truly over now, Arsenal not letting their oponents anywhere near the ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott on for Marouane Chamakh and Cesc Fabregas</b>

More Arsenal possession and it's exhibition stuff now for the Gunners.

Man City are still looking to push forward, although they look very dejected.

Fabregas glides past Kompany and lays off for Chamakh who blazes over. Arsenal could get another before the end.

Arsenal are going up to second in the table, above Manchester United on goal difference.

More overly-complex football from Arsenal! Nasri teeing up Rosicky, who instead of taking on the shot tries to find Chamakh and the chance passes. Why don't they shoot?!

Arsenal are keeping possession very well and this will be frustrating for the City faithful.

Nasri sprinting at City again, Kompany stands off and lets him run out of play, clever from the centre half.

Arsenal's short corner comes to nothing, they really aren't good at them.

Another Arsenal corner, they're looking for a killer third goal.

What a save from Fabianski! Adebayor with a free header six-yards out that the Pole spectacularly repels! The offside flag was raised, but it was still very impressive.

Denilson gives away a foul. Can City find a goal? They need one very soon if they are to have any hope in this game.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Mario Balotelli on for Gareth Barry</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Kompany</b> is very unlucky to be carded, he couldn't have got out of the way.

Bacary Sagna is lucky to have a free kick after making the terrible decision to run past Kompany.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Tomas Rosicky on for Andrei Arshavin</b>

Man City look dead on their feet, I don't know how much of that is fatigue or just disappointment.

That's hard on City, who are started to look a little jaded now. Maybe they could introduce Mario Ballotelli in one last throw of the dice?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Alex Song surely seals it for Arsenal!</b> Neat link up play between Nasri and Fabregas, the Spaniard trying to find Chamakh. His pass is intercepted, but Song stretches out a leg to poke his shot into the top corner and beyong Hart, a great finish.

Corner at the other end from Arsenal, Sagna's low cross blocked by a retreating Gareth Barry.

This time it's Milner's turn to be disappointed, although the ref makes the right call on this occasion.

Richards comes forward for City and is disappointed not to earn a corner as Djourou puts the ball behind.

Arsenal are trying to force the issue, but they have lacked a cutting edge today. City have battled well since going behind.

The corner nearly breaks for Denilson at the far post, but the Brazilian isn't brave enough and Adebayor comes away.

A terrible back pass from Boateng, mishitting a back pass out for a corner.

The tension has been cranked up a notch now, this is a cracking game.

Andrei Arshavin this time gets his shot off, dropping his shoulder and firing a low effort at Joe Hart's nearpost which the England number one keeps hold of.

Nearly for Adebayor! Kompany flicks on the corner and Adebayor fails to find the net from six yards under pressure from Fabianski!

Arsenal are strong enough to clear, but a terrible header from Djourou puts them under pressure with another corner.

David Silva forces a fine save from Fabianski! Exchanging passes with Milner before fire an effort on goal from a tight angle which Fabianski turns behind.

Djourou with a hard and fair challenge on Adebayor, you sense it won't be the last one!

Arsenal waste yet another opening by over complicating things! Nasri finds Arshavin in oceans of space on the left, he cuts into the box, but never looks confident. He finds Chamakh, who finds Fabregas and once Arsenal dither and are made to pay.

Bacary Sagna forward down the right, his deep cross is a good one, but little Samir Nasri can't quite leap high enough!

What can the man from Togo do? This could get very interesting!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Emmanuel Adebayor on for Carlos Tevez</b>

Joe Hart very alert again, springing forward to punch clear a Chamakh cross from the boot of Fabregas.

Arshavin over hits a pass looking for Marouane Chamakh, the Russian has looked off the pace today.

Emmanuel Adebayor is ready to come on for City, this could get tasty!

Arsenal seeing a lot of the play early on in this half. If they can get a second it will surely be game over.

Arsenal guilty of wasting another chance! Chamakh does very well to ease past Vincent Kompany, squaring possession back to Fabregas. He elects not to shoot, instead teeing up Nasri, who returns the pass to Fabregas. Eventually the Arsenal captain shoots, but Hart makes a comfortable save.

Jerome Boateng commits the first foul of the half, tripping Nasri on the half-way line.

Yaya Toure has been forced to withdraw with a slight injury, Wayne Bridge will solve City's left-back issues.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> City restart the action.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Wayne Bridge on for Yaya Youre</b>

There are a lot of players on yellow cards for the Gunners, they need to make sure they keep eleven men on the pitch.

Arsenal have seemed very lethargic and slightly disinterested since going ahead, they could regret not making the most of their advantage.

Arsenal have failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and City have really done well since going down to ten men. Tevez and Silva have looked dangerous when they have combined.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Boyata's red card has handed Arsenal the impetus and they are one-nil up thanks to Nasri's goal. Fabregas' missed penalty means City are far from out of this.

Kompany heads clear under no real pressure.

Promising free kick for Arsenal, de Jong tripping Fabregas right on the edge of the box.

Kompany throws his body on the line to block a powerful drive from Denilson, a great block.

<b>THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

David Silva is so nearly in for City! As the ball comes through it is just too long and he can't bring it under his spell.

Richards again getting forward for City, showing strength to hold off Clichy. He earns a throw for his efforts.

Sagna makes a break for Arsenal, his cut back missing everyone and running to Arshavin. The Russian hits a terrible shot well wide.

Kompany rises and makes a powerful connection which he can't keep down and it flies over the bar.

Nasri under pressure in his own penalty area, eventually bundling the ball behind!

<b>SAVED BY JOE HART!</b> Fabregas hits a penalty medium height to Harts left and he makes the save!

<b>PENALTY TO ARSENAL!</b> Fabregas brought down by Kompany, a poor, late challenge from the Belgian.

Tevez and Toure try to break for Man City, but there are too many Arsenal bodies back. They are still looking to attack, despite being down to ten men.

Nearly for City, Tevez looking Silva once again, his pass is slightly over hit and the Spaniard can't reach it.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Johan Djourou</b> picks up another yellow card for Arsenal, a trip through the back of David Silva.

The free kick is taken short, eventually falling to Tevez on the edge of the box, whose shot is smothered by a block and trickles through to Fabianski.

David Silva earns another free kick, having his shirt tugged as he attempted to twist and turn through midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Alex Song</b> is into the book after a reckless challenge on David Silva.

Fabianski leaps and claims an excellent catch.

Free kick for City and the defenders are forward...

An uncomfortable moment for Bacary Sagna as he tumbles into the advertising boards, much to the amusement of the City fans.

Samir Nasri with some really great work for Arsenal. Winning possession in his own half and carrying it all the way into City territory.

Micah Richards wastes a golden opportunity for City! The full back finds himself in unfamiliar territory, racing through on the Arsenal goal. He does really well to cut back and avoid the attentions of Djourou, but his curling left-foot effort is poorly executed and sails wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Cesc Fabregas</b> into the book as he trips Nigel de Jong.

Corner to Arsenal, Arshavin breaking and instead of playing in Nasri attempts a shot, which Milner blocks.

Arsenal threatening again, this time the right-wing cross evades everyone and City survive.

Gael Clichy breaks forward for Arsenal, Fabregas fails to find him and Arsenal are exposed. Tevez charges through a Djourou challenge, however he eventually loses possession, and Arshavin completes the defensive job.

Nasri is in again, but this time he's offside. He's in fantastic form at the moment.

A terrible 20 minutes for City, they can't have imagined a worse start. When they have attacked the home side have looked dangerous.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Samir Nasri opens the scoring!</b> Beautiful, beautiful football from the Gunners! Samir Nasri finds Arshavin in the penalty area, the Russian slides in Nasri who calmly sidefoots into the roof of the net. A lovely opener for Wenger's men.

Tevez and Silva are looking very likely, this time Tevez can't find the Spaniard with his return pass.

City head clear, but from the second ball Arsenal work play wide. The cross arrives on the head of Djourou, who from six yards out can't find the target!

A second corner for Arsenal, after neat approach play...

Tevez with an opening for City, exchanging a one-two with David Silva before poking a low effort towards Fabianski, who makes a comfortable save.

Again City expose Arsenal's left side, Clichy is being forced to work very hard and he needs more cover from Samir Nasri.

Alex Song brings down David Silva and the game seems to have been a string of fouls, this could easily boil over.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Gareth Barry</b> earns a yellow card for another heavy challenge on Fabregas, it's been a very scrappy start.

Roberto Mancini will have been hoping to see his team shake off their defensive tag, but now they have little choice but to adopt a cautious approach.

Arsenal have grown in confidence after a shaky start. Can City regroup?

Nigel de Jong makes a hefty challenge on Fabregas and it's a foul, the Spaniard looks in a bit of bother, but he should be fine.

Yaya Toure now has dropped to centre half, he has played there before for Barcelona.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Denilson</b> cautioned for obstructing Tevez as he attempts to break.

Nasri's corner is terrible and City break.

Arsenal earn a corner and after a bright start, City are in disarray at the moment.

Manchester City are going to need to reshuffle here, Micah Richards seems to have dropped into the centre for the moment, with Milner at right back.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Dedryck Boyata</b> has seen red and it's a disaster for Man City! Fabregas played through Chamakh and he was away, Boyata hacked him down and the referee had no choice. A terrible start for City.

Again City break down the Arsenal left, this time through Micah Richards. His low cross into the box fails to find Gareth Barry or James Milner and the Gunners survive.

Arshavin breaks beyond the City backline but the flag is raised for offside.

Nearly a perfect start for City! Carlos Tevez barges past Johan Djorou and gets to the byline. His cut back finds David Silva, he backheel looks destined for the back of the net. Fabianski dives low to his right to make a fantastic save!

<b>KICK OFF</b> Arsenal get us under way!

The teams are applauding in memory of Manchester City legend Malcolm Allison, who passed away this week.

The two teams make their way onto the pitch, kick off is close.

Arsenal have faltered in matches against their immediate rivals in recent times, three points today would be a huge lift for them.

Nineteen year-old Boyata is at centre back for City in place of the absent Kolo Toure, a huge afternoon for him.

The teams are in the tunnel, this could be an epic encounter.

Arsenal have named Denilson over Abou Diaby in the heart of their midfield, Nasri and Arshavin are in support of Chamakh.

David Silva's goal at Blackpool earns him a start and Yaya Toure is back in the centre of midfield. Despite a midweek hat trick, Emmanuel Adebayor is on the bench.

A top of the table clash is on offer this afternoon, after Chelsea and Manchester United have already won this weekend, three points is essential to the title ambitions of both Manchester City and Arsenal.

Live commentary will appear here from 1545 BST.

Remember that celebration? Well Manchester City and Emmanuel Adebayor face Arsenal at Eastlands again on Sunday. It should be a fascinating contest, so brush up quickly with <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=292946&cc=5739 target=new>Jon Carter's preview</A>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2009/0913/emmanueladebayorthatceleb_275x155.jpg">

Bacary Sagna is lucky to have a free kick after making the terrible decision to run past Kompany.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Tomas Rosicky on for Andrei Arshavin</b>

Man City look dead on their feet, I don't know how much of that is fatigue or just disappointment.

That's hard on City, who are started to look a little jaded now. Maybe they could introduce Mario Ballotelli in one last throw of the dice?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Alex Song surely seals it for Arsenal!</b> Neat link up play between Nasri and Fabregas, the Spaniard trying to find Chamakh. His pass is intercepted, but Song stretches out a leg to poke his shot into the top corner and beyong Hart, a great finish.

Corner at the other end from Arsenal, Sagna's low cross blocked by a retreating Gareth Barry.

This time it's Milner's turn to be disappointed, although the ref makes the right call on this occasion.

Richards comes forward for City and is disappointed not to earn a corner as Djourou puts the ball behind.

Arsenal are trying to force the issue, but they have lacked a cutting edge today. City have battled well since going behind.

The corner nearly breaks for Denilson at the far post, but the Brazilian isn't brave enough and Adebayor comes away.

A terrible back pass from Boateng, mishitting a back pass out for a corner.

The tension has been cranked up a notch now, this is a cracking game.

Andrei Arshavin this time gets his shot off, dropping his shoulder and firing a low effort at Joe Hart's nearpost which the England number one keeps hold of.

Nearly for Adebayor! Kompany flicks on the corner and Adebayor fails to find the net from six yards under pressure from Fabianski!

Arsenal are strong enough to clear, but a terrible header from Djourou puts them under pressure with another corner.

David Silva forces a fine save from Fabianski! Exchanging passes with Milner before fire an effort on goal from a tight angle which Fabianski turns behind.

Djourou with a hard and fair challenge on Adebayor, you sense it won't be the last one!

Arsenal waste yet another opening by over complicating things! Nasri finds Arshavin in oceans of space on the left, he cuts into the box, but never looks confident. He finds Chamakh, who finds Fabregas and once Arsenal dither and are made to pay.

Bacary Sagna forward down the right, his deep cross is a good one, but little Samir Nasri can't quite leap high enough!

What can the man from Togo do? This could get very interesting!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Emmanuel Adebayor on for Carlos Tevez</b>

Joe Hart very alert again, springing forward to punch clear a Chamakh cross from the boot of Fabregas.

Arshavin over hits a pass looking for Marouane Chamakh, the Russian has looked off the pace today.

Emmanuel Adebayor is ready to come on for City, this could get tasty!

Arsenal seeing a lot of the play early on in this half. If they can get a second it will surely be game over.

Arsenal guilty of wasting another chance! Chamakh does very well to ease past Vincent Kompany, squaring possession back to Fabregas. He elects not to shoot, instead teeing up Nasri, who returns the pass to Fabregas. Eventually the Arsenal captain shoots, but Hart makes a comfortable save.

Jerome Boateng commits the first foul of the half, tripping Nasri on the half-way line.

Yaya Toure has been forced to withdraw with a slight injury, Wayne Bridge will solve City's left-back issues.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> City restart the action.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Wayne Bridge on for Yaya Youre</b>

There are a lot of players on yellow cards for the Gunners, they need to make sure they keep eleven men on the pitch.

Arsenal have seemed very lethargic and slightly disinterested since going ahead, they could regret not making the most of their advantage.

Arsenal have failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and City have really done well since going down to ten men. Tevez and Silva have looked dangerous when they have combined.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Boyata's red card has handed Arsenal the impetus and they are one-nil up thanks to Nasri's goal. Fabregas' missed penalty means City are far from out of this.

Kompany heads clear under no real pressure.

Promising free kick for Arsenal, de Jong tripping Fabregas right on the edge of the box.

Kompany throws his body on the line to block a powerful drive from Denilson, a great block.

<b>THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

David Silva is so nearly in for City! As the ball comes through it is just too long and he can't bring it under his spell.

Richards again getting forward for City, showing strength to hold off Clichy. He earns a throw for his efforts.

Sagna makes a break for Arsenal, his cut back missing everyone and running to Arshavin. The Russian hits a terrible shot well wide.

Kompany rises and makes a powerful connection which he can't keep down and it flies over the bar.

Nasri under pressure in his own penalty area, eventually bundling the ball behind!

<b>SAVED BY JOE HART!</b> Fabregas hits a penalty medium height to Harts left and he makes the save!

<b>PENALTY TO ARSENAL!</b> Fabregas brought down by Kompany, a poor, late challenge from the Belgian.

Tevez and Toure try to break for Man City, but there are too many Arsenal bodies back. They are still looking to attack, despite being down to ten men.

Nearly for City, Tevez looking Silva once again, his pass is slightly over hit and the Spaniard can't reach it.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Johan Djourou</b> picks up another yellow card for Arsenal, a trip through the back of David Silva.

The free kick is taken short, eventually falling to Tevez on the edge of the box, whose shot is smothered by a block and trickles through to Fabianski.

David Silva earns another free kick, having his shirt tugged as he attempted to twist and turn through midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Alex Song</b> is into the book after a reckless challenge on David Silva.

Fabianski leaps and claims an excellent catch.

Free kick for City and the defenders are forward...

An uncomfortable moment for Bacary Sagna as he tumbles into the advertising boards, much to the amusement of the City fans.

Samir Nasri with some really great work for Arsenal. Winning possession in his own half and carrying it all the way into City territory.

Micah Richards wastes a golden opportunity for City! The full back finds himself in unfamiliar territory, racing through on the Arsenal goal. He does really well to cut back and avoid the attentions of Djourou, but his curling left-foot effort is poorly executed and sails wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Cesc Fabregas</b> into the book as he trips Nigel de Jong.

Corner to Arsenal, Arshavin breaking and instead of playing in Nasri attempts a shot, which Milner blocks.

Arsenal threatening again, this time the right-wing cross evades everyone and City survive.

Gael Clichy breaks forward for Arsenal, Fabregas fails to find him and Arsenal are exposed. Tevez charges through a Djourou challenge, however he eventually loses possession, and Arshavin completes the defensive job.

Nasri is in again, but this time he's offside. He's in fantastic form at the moment.

A terrible 20 minutes for City, they can't have imagined a worse start. When they have attacked the home side have looked dangerous.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Samir Nasri opens the scoring!</b> Beautiful, beautiful football from the Gunners! Samir Nasri finds Arshavin in the penalty area, the Russian slides in Nasri who calmly sidefoots into the roof of the net. A lovely opener for Wenger's men.

Tevez and Silva are looking very likely, this time Tevez can't find the Spaniard with his return pass.

City head clear, but from the second ball Arsenal work play wide. The cross arrives on the head of Djourou, who from six yards out can't find the target!

A second corner for Arsenal, after neat approach play...

Tevez with an opening for City, exchanging a one-two with David Silva before poking a low effort towards Fabianski, who makes a comfortable save.

Again City expose Arsenal's left side, Clichy is being forced to work very hard and he needs more cover from Samir Nasri.

Alex Song brings down David Silva and the game seems to have been a string of fouls, this could easily boil over.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Gareth Barry</b> earns a yellow card for another heavy challenge on Fabregas, it's been a very scrappy start.

Roberto Mancini will have been hoping to see his team shake off their defensive tag, but now they have little choice but to adopt a cautious approach.

Arsenal have grown in confidence after a shaky start. Can City regroup?

Nigel de Jong makes a hefty challenge on Fabregas and it's a foul, the Spaniard looks in a bit of bother, but he should be fine.

Yaya Toure now has dropped to centre half, he has played there before for Barcelona.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Denilson</b> cautioned for obstructing Tevez as he attempts to break.

Nasri's corner is terrible and City break.

Arsenal earn a corner and after a bright start, City are in disarray at the moment.

Manchester City are going to need to reshuffle here, Micah Richards seems to have dropped into the centre for the moment, with Milner at right back.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Dedryck Boyata</b> has seen red and it's a disaster for Man City! Fabregas played through Chamakh and he was away, Boyata hacked him down and the referee had no choice. A terrible start for City.

Again City break down the Arsenal left, this time through Micah Richards. His low cross into the box fails to find Gareth Barry or James Milner and the Gunners survive.

Arshavin breaks beyond the City backline but the flag is raised for offside.

Nearly a perfect start for City! Carlos Tevez barges past Johan Djorou and gets to the byline. His cut back finds David Silva, he backheel looks destined for the back of the net. Fabianski dives low to his right to make a fantastic save!

<b>KICK OFF</b> Arsenal get us under way!

The teams are applauding in memory of Manchester City legend Malcolm Allison, who passed away this week.

The two teams make their way onto the pitch, kick off is close.

Arsenal have faltered in matches against their immediate rivals in recent times, three points today would be a huge lift for them.

Nineteen year-old Boyata is at centre back for City in place of the absent Kolo Toure, a huge afternoon for him.

The teams are in the tunnel, this could be an epic encounter.

Arsenal have named Denilson over Abou Diaby in the heart of their midfield, Nasri and Arshavin are in support of Chamakh.

David Silva's goal at Blackpool earns him a start and Yaya Toure is back in the centre of midfield. Despite a midweek hat trick, Emmanuel Adebayor is on the bench.

A top of the table clash is on offer this afternoon, after Chelsea and Manchester United have already won this weekend, three points is essential to the title ambitions of both Manchester City and Arsenal.

Live commentary will appear here from 1545 BST.

Remember that celebration? Well Manchester City and Emmanuel Adebayor face Arsenal at Eastlands again on Sunday. It should be a fascinating contest, so brush up quickly with <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=292946&cc=5739 target=new>Jon Carter's preview</A>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2009/0913/emmanueladebayorthatceleb_275x155.jpg">