Arteta goal deals body blow to City hopes

Arsenal 1 Manchester City 0

Mikel Arteta stuck a dagger into the heart of Manchester City’s Barclays Premier League title hopes as Mario Balotelli lost the plot in today’s crunch clash at Arsenal.

Balotelli was deservedly sent off in the final minute after referee Martin Atkinson and assistant Peter Kirkup somehow failed to spot his first-half knee-high tackle on Alex Song, and he could now face a lengthy ban.

His eventual dismissal came moments after Arteta’s spectacular winner that left City eight points behind Manchester United and sent Arsenal two points clear of Tottenham in third place.

It nevertheless lifted Arsenal, who missed an absolute sitter with less than 15 minutes remaining.

Theo Walcott sidefooted Sagna’s cross against the post, and Vermaelen mishit the rebound to Benayoun, who sent the ball straight against Lescott with the goal gaping.

Aaron Ramsey was quickly brought on for Benayoun, with Aleksander Kolarov replacing Nasri, who was subjected to another chorus of jeers and chants of: “What a waste of money.”

Carlos Tevez finally joined the fray in place of Aguero, while Arsenal sent on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Walcott.

The Gunners got the winner they deserved three minutes from time when Arteta robbed De Jong and was invited to shoot from 25 yards by Lescott, something he did with aplomb.

And Balotelli got the red he deserved in the final minute when he picked up a second yellow for clattering into Sagna once more.

There was still time for Ramsey to blaze wide on the break and Santos to hobble off injured.