<blockquote class='posterous_long_quote'><p>Mikel Arteta all but ended Manchester City's title challenge with a brilliant long range effort to leave Roberto Mancini's men eight points behind rivals Manchester United.</p><p>Arteta struck in the final ten minutes as Mario Balloteli was sent off after earlier escaping a sending off for an x-rated challenge one Alex Song.</p><p>Arsenal had the better chances with top scorer Van Persie going close only to be denied by the post in the second half.</p><p>Theo Walcott and Yossi Benayoun then somehow managed to miss when it looked easier to score.<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">More to follow...</span><br /></p><p><div class="artSplitter"><p /><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844A35000005DC-762_634x434.jpg" height="434" alt="Lucky to escape: Mario Balotelli's high tackle on Alex Song" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Lucky to escape: Mario Balotelli's high tackle on Alex Song</p> </div></div><div class="floatRHS art-ins sport"><h3 class="wocc"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MATCH FACTS</span><br /></h3><div class="ins cleared xolcc bdrcc"><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arsenal: </span>Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Benayoun, van Persie. <br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subs:</span> Fabianski, Andre Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Djourou, Jenkinson, Chamakh.</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Man City:</span> Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Toure Yaya, Barry, Milner, Aguero, Nasri, Balotelli. <br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subs: </span>Pantilimon, Richards, Pizarro, Dzeko, Kolarov, Tevez, De Jong.</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Referee:</span> Martin Atkinson<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p></div></div> <p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-1284326D000005DC-892_634x440.jpg" height="440" alt="Battle of pace: Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott fight for the ball" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Battle of pace: Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott fight for the ball</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844084000005DC-81_634x415.jpg" height="415" alt="Caution: Balotelli was later booked for a challenge on Bacary Sagna" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Caution: Balotelli was later booked for a challenge on Bacary Sagna</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844CA5000005DC-864_634x481.jpg" height="481" alt="Getting in the way: Robin van Persie has an effort on goal that hits team-mate Thomas Vermaelen and goes over" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Getting in the way: Robin van Persie has an effort on goal that hits team-mate Thomas Vermaelen and goes over</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12843816000005DC-462_634x487.jpg" height="487" alt="Sliding in: Clichy makes a challenge on Walcott" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Sliding in: Clichy makes a challenge on Walcott</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844415000005DC-924_634x417.jpg" height="417" alt="Frustrating afternoon: Roberto Mancini saw Manchester City fall further behind rivals Manchester United in the title race" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Frustrating afternoon: Roberto Mancini saw Manchester City fall further behind rivals Manchester United in the title race</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-1284603A000005DC-293_634x386.jpg" height="386" alt="Battle for the ball: Vermaelen collides with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero " width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Battle for the ball: Vermaelen collides with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero </p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-128454C7000005DC-956_634x456.jpg" height="456" alt="Taking the ball: Tomas Rosicky wins the ball from Gareth Barry" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Taking the ball: Tomas Rosicky wins the ball from Gareth Barry</p></div></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></blockquote>
via dailymail.co.uk
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