It was a poor showing from Manchester City at Wembley. There was just no defence being played or control of the midfield. Arsenal featuring most of their starting players on the otherside looked a class above City, while City hung in there with their pre-season squad. Right now it looks like the squad still needs more time to mesh together.
The Community Shield squad for the course was missing most of its stars and it seemed Pellegrini really did not care about the game. No Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, and Sergio Aguero all sitting out the match, meant their ghosts were felt all over the field. The back four letting in three goals against Arsenal was stunning, especially with no goals coming back.
Aguero’s pace and skill to keep the back four occupied was mimicked by Jovetic, but still not exactly what’s needed. For Arsenal if they played this side in the league they could take six points from City but that does not look likely. The big holes in defence now shows that Matija Nastasic needs someone next to him to lead the backline. The transfer of Porto’s French defender Eliaquim Mangala is most likely going to be concluded before the start of the Premier League season. Missing from making his first appearance was Bacary Sagna, itwould have been a great time to play him at right back.
The second half for City was much better, but only because Arsenal were ahead by two goals. City then conceded a wonder goal by Oliver Giroud. Fernandinho missing would have done a much better job than Fernando with the speed of Arsenal’s play.
The biggest problem tactically for City is that there should have been a “false 9” with two strikers on the pitch. Arsenal have yet to figure it out and they’re usually prone to miscommunication defensively due to that 9 floating around just outside the midfield and the back 4. City would have done well to have that diamond in the midfield to help protect the ball and pounce on a lackluster back four. Though the last time City lost the Community Shield, City went on to win the league, so the fans won’t be clamoring for the firing of Pellegrini.
Overall, City are still the favorites to win the league, but Arsenal look like they might now not just barely hold on to fourth place. There is a big threat now for Arsenal to even get near the title and not just go down crippling themselves similar to last year. With Liverpool losing Luis Suarez and seemingly picking up the entirety of Southampton, the Premier League looks like it will be another highly competitive season.
The top four looks like it will be even harder to predict especially with a Manchester United who have been impressive in the pre-season and a Chelsea side who now have a great striker in Diego Costa. For the league, at least for top four predictions, Tottenham again will miss out on a Champions League spot. The top four will read – 1. Manchester City, 2. Chelsea, 3. Arsenal, and 4. Manchester United.
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