5 things We Learnt From Manchester City vs Arsenal By Ifreke Inyang

Wenger finally delivers a master class
Today is the day most Arsenal fans have been waiting for. When the Frenchman will tactically set up his men against a big team, to grab a result. Last season, the Gunners left themselves exposed and were hammered 6-3. Today, Wenger opted to control City and their waves of attack, while hitting them on fast breaks. It worked a great treat.

No Yaya, no party
The statistics are damning. When the big Ivorian doesn’t play, City hardly win. Gooners may be forgiven for feeling a tingle, as they saw Aguero and Silva on City’s team sheet, but at the end of the day, they missed the power and drive of Yaya Toure. Pellegrini must be praying for Cote d’Ivoire to exit the Africa Cup of Nations quickly.

Cazorla, the two-footed magician
What a time to hit form for the little Spaniard. The former Malaga man has been sensational for Arsenal in the past few games and he was magnificent today again. He expertly tucked away the penalty after Vincent Kompany fouled Nacho Monreal and then provided a pin=point free-kick for Olivier Giroud to seal the points in the second half. All that, with a certain Mesut Ozil watching from the bench.

What did you mean to say, Pellegrini?
So first, Pellegrini claims it was not a penalty. Then he turns around and says Kompany shouldn’t have barged into Monreal the way he did. I really don’t understand what the Chilean was on about. Whatever the case, Mike Dean – who Arsenal fans have been moaning about all week – pointed the spot.

It’s all going down at the Bridge
City’s next Premier League clash? Away to Chelsea. What a tasty tie this will be! Arsenal’s victory means the Premier League champions are now five points behind the Blues. They need to get a result against Jose Mourinho or else the title race might well and truly be over.

‘Ifreke Inyang tweets via @Ifreke

Views expressed are solely that of the author and do not represent the views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

Di Maria In Contention For Manchester United’s Clash With Aston Villa

Louis van Gaal has revealed Angel Di Maria is in contention to be on the bench for Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Di Maria has not featured since United’s 3-0 win over Hull City on November 29 due to a hamstring injury, but Van Gaal revealed in his press conference on Friday that the Argentina international has now resumed full training.

More to follow…

Falcao Lacks Match Fitness – Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal insists Radamel Falcao is not fit enough to start for Manchester United and is “not interested” in whether he is unhappy at being benched.

Falcao, currently on a season-long loan from Monaco, has made just three starts and four sub appearances in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old Colombia international is expected to be a substitute for the trip to Southampton, after the United manager confirmed Wayne Rooney is fit and “will play.”

Van Gaal said: “Falcao needs match fitness. He can only play for 20 minutes.

“I have selected him despite that but the rhythm of the game in the Premier League is the highest.

“It would be a better contribution if he played with the second team but I cannot do that because on Tuesday Rooney was injured for the match against Stoke.

“I had to adapt to the needs of selection. I am not interested whether he is unhappy being on the bench. He has to follow my philosophy. I am here because of that.”

Sturridge Set For Mega Deal, As Liverpool Offer Bumper Sum

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, is close to signing a new five-year contract with the club this week.

The England international, who is currently recovering from injury, has been locked in negotiations with the club since the summer and a deal has now been agreed in principle.

Sturridge is expected to join the big earners at Anfield, as his new contract will see him take home around £150,000 a week. Steven Gerrard is currently the highest earner with a £150,000-a-week package.

The former Chelsea man has scored 36 times for the Reds in 46 starts, since he arrived from Stamford Bridge and he is expected to step up this season, with Luis Suarez leaving for Barcelona.