Arsenal Vs. Manchester City, 2012 Premier League: Halftime Score, Mario Balotelli’s Antics The Story

It's been an eventful first 45 minutes from the Emirates Stadium, even if no one has hit the back of the net. Manchester City and Arsenal are involved in a physical battle, though City's the team dishing out more of the punishment. There have been bookings and injuries, and referee Martin Atkinson isn't having the best game. At halftime, the two teams are tied up at 0-0.

The first booking of the match came less than three minutes in, and it was an indication of the kind of chippy, borderline dirty play that was to come. That booking was given to Yaya Toure, who would eventually have to be substituted out of the game. He picked up a knock about nine minutes in and tried to play through it, but he was replaced by David Pizarro in the 17th minute.

Arsenal's best chance came just before that. They were given a corner kick on the 14th minute, but probably should have had a penalty when Vincent Kompany shoved down Robin van Persie in the box. It wasn't given, but Arsenal created a great chance on the ensuing corner. Van Persie rose up and hit a great header that was on its way into the net, but it was inadvertently cleared off the line by his teammate Thomas Vermaelen.

In the 20th minute, Mario Balotelli got away with a very clear straight red challenge. He flew in high on Alex Song and put his studs directly into Song's knee, which Atkinson did not see. Song, luckily, was able to continue. Balotelli would make a couple more questionable challenges in the half, eventually picking up a yellow card in the 38th minute.