Arsenal Vs. Manchester City, 2012 Premier League: Arsenal Hit Bar, Balotelli Lucky To Avoid Red

Well that was pretty spectacular. While Manchester City were trying to swap out Yaya Toure for David Pizarro, Arsenal came astonishingly close to the opening goal. The ball was flicked to Robin van Persie at the far post, and the Dutch striker put in a nearly perfect header that Joe Hart wasn't going to come anywhere near stopping. Then a defender came flying in, deflecting the effort onto the bar and out. That would have been a commendable feat if not for the fact that the man responsible was Arsenal centre half Thomas Vermaelen. Whoops.

A few minutes later, Mario Balotelli manages so somehow avoid a straight red card for a studs up challenge on Alex Song's knee. Martin Atkinson didn't see it, but Balotelli's certainly in for a ban when the FA reviews the game. That was an absolutely vile challenge, and it's a real shame to see City go unpunished for that. Goodness.