Source: Team_Talk
Gunners hopes ended by Emirates draw
Arsenal's Premier League title chances were officially ended as Champions League hopefuls Manchester City claimed a 0-0 draw at The Emirates.[LNB] Much of the pre-match hype had surrounded the return of former Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor, but he was left on the bench by City boss Roberto Mancini - before being introduced to resounding jeers early in the second half.[LNB]Arsenal had the better of possession, yet they only tested Shay Given a couple of times before the City keeper went off with a suspected broken shoulder.[LNB]There were a few expected boos as Adebayor made his way to the visitors' dugout before kick-off, while by contrast his fellow former Gunners Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira were both well received by the home supporters.[LNB]Arsenal threw away any hopes of getting back into the title race last weekend when they blew a 2-0 lead in the last 10 minutes to lose at Wigan, while big-spending City were looking to overtake Tottenham - who earlier lost at Manchester United - in the chase for that coveted final Champions League qualifying slot.[LNB]Robin van Persie has been sorely missed by the Gunners, and he captained the side on his home return following five months out with a knee injury.[LNB]The Dutchman almost made an instant impact when he burst into the City box before Toure came across to make a blocking tackle.[LNB]There was a brief stoppage when City defender Wayne Bridge - who made himself unavailable to watching England manager Fabio Capello for the World Cup in the wake of the John Terry saga - needed treatment for a thigh problem.[LNB]The full-back was, though, soon in the action again, sprinting down the left wing, only to be beaten to the ball by Theo Walcott - who will be doing his best to get on the plane to South Africa.[LNB]City were, however, forced into a change on 27 minutes, when Bridge was replaced by Micah Richards - himself just fit again following a four-match absence with a knee injury.[LNB]Samir Nasri was then flagged somewhat dubiously offside after latching onto van Persie's through-ball.[LNB]Arsenal continued to press, and Walcott skewed his first-time effort as the ball dropped at the edge of the City area.[LNB]Nasri's angled shot following a wonderful take down by van Persie brought the first meaningful save from Given.[LNB]At the other end, a crunching tackle from veteran Sol Campbell blocked Vieira as the former Gunners captain burst into the penalty area.[LNB]After a low-key opening to the second half, the introduction of Adebayor on 52 minutes was greeted by a cacophony of boos - despite manager Arsene Wenger having called for the former Togo striker to be shown the same respect as all old players. Vieira was clapped off, the home fans delivering a clear message to their one-time star man Adebayor, who left for City in a £25million summer move.[LNB]With the temperature raised, there was a flashpoint when Craig Bellamy and Song squared up, with referee Mike Dean calling the respective captains together in an attempt to restore calm to what had been a well-contested but not overly physical game.[LNB]Rosicky drilled a low shot from 18 yards straight at Given after a neat one-two with Nasri as Arsenal upped the pace again.[LNB]Adebayor capitalised on a slip from Silvestre to dart off down the left, but ran the ball out - much to the delight of the home fans.[LNB]City were having a much better spell, and continued to press Arsenal back.[LNB]Substitute Nicklas Bendtner flashed a low cross through the six-yard box, before Diaby created space to shoot from 25 yards.[LNB]Given tipped wide at full stretch but appeared to have damaged his shoulder and, after several minutes of treatment, was carried off on a stretcher taking in oxygen. Faroe Islands goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen replaced him for an unexpected debut.[LNB]Bellamy was booked for tripping Bendtner and Van Persie followed after a late sliding challenge on Adebayor as City broke quickly.[LNB]It was becoming a busy afternoon for Mr Dean, as Pablo Zabaleta was also shown a yellow card for stepping across Eboue and conceding a free-kick some 25 yards out. Van Persie chipped his effort over the wall, but just inches wide of the top right corner.[LNB]There were some eight minutes of stoppage time, during which neither side were able to find a winner.
