Manchester City's title chase is all but over, while Arsenal have a leg up on Tottenham Hotspur for third place. Arsenal squandered numerous opportunities throughout the match and had big refereeing decisions go against them in the first half, but Mikel Arteta manufactured a brilliant goal from absolutely nothing for his team in the dying minutes of the game, firing his side to a crucial 1-0 win.
Arsenal Vs. Manchester City, 2012 Premier League: Final Score, Mikel Arteta Scores The Winner
Mario Balotelli somehow avoided getting sent off in the first half for a studs-up challenge to the knee of Alex Song, while Martin Atkinson failed to give a penalty for a blatant shove in the back to Robin van Persie from Vincent Kompany. The first half also featured a brilliant block off the line by Thomas Vermaelen ... on a shot by van Persie. Close to the end of the half, Balotelli would eventually be yellow carded after a half full of antics, which was eventually relevant.
Arsenal had their best chance to score in the 76th minute, but somehow managed to miss a few consecutive chances that were all a lot easier to score than to miss. Theo Walcott had his initial shot saved by Joe Hart, who turned the ball onto the post. The ball fell to Thomas Vermaelen, who found a way to shank a shot from three yards out. Tomas Rosicky had Arsenal's third chance in 10 seconds, but hit the post as well.
At that point, it looked like it was just going to be one of those days where Arsenal are obviously superior to their opponent, but unable to find a goal when they need one. Then, Arteta struck in the 87th minute. After David Pizzaro failed to control a ball that deflected to Arteta, the Arsenal midfielder surged forward with the ball before unleashing a brilliant strike into the back of the net, beating Hart at his near post from 20 yards out.
City pushed for an equalizer, but never got close. Three minutes later, Balotelli picked up his second yellow card and was sent off. It was the perfect ending to an immature and downright dirty performance by Balotelli, who will be lucky to see the pitch again for City this season.
The visitors did not manage a single shot on target in an absolutely dire performance. Manchester United look to be coasting to the title, and the 'big' Manchester Derby in a couple of weeks might mean absolutely nothing.
For our live updates from throughout the match, check out our Premier League storystream. For more on the two clubs, visit SB Nation Arsenal blog The Short Fuse and Manchester City blog Bitter And Blue.
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