16.26 – Arsenal 0-1 Man City: Poor defending from Arsenal. They’re clearly unprepared for a quick City free-kick (20 mins).

The ball is played to Milner, and he is allowed far too much space by Vermaelen, and the midfielder then hammers it home masterfully.

The Gunners’ dodgy defence has let them down yet again.

16.45 – Diaby finds himself in a good position just inside the box, but blasts the ball wastefully over.

Meanwhile, down the other end, Garcia’s header from a corner is well saved by Szczesny.

Poor marking and defending again from Arsenal – they could be on the end of a hammering if they’re not careful.

17.00 – Half-time and Arsenal have turned out to be the orchestrators of their own downfall once again.

Koscielny was turned far too easily for the penalty, and the decision to drag him back thereafter was extremely rash and merited a red card, judging by the letter of the law.

They were similarly inept at the back for both goals – Vermaelen gave Milner far too much space for the first goal, while Gibbs could have been stronger in the tackle with Zabaleta in the lead up to City’s second.

City, for their part, have been extremely clinical while producing an utterly professional display.

The visitors are well worth their 2-0 lead, as they’ve been better than Arsenal in practically every area of the field.

Their one regret will be Dzeko’s penalty, which was badly executed and could have ultimately put them entirely out of sight by now.

17.03 –

(A Manchester City fan is unimpressed by Arsenal’s high ticket prices - Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

17.13 – City are sitting back now and working hard to disrupt even the merest hint of an Arsenal attack.

You get the feeling it’s going to need something special to open up Mancini’s side today.

17.22 – The ineffective Diaby has been replaced by Ramsey.

He’s been out of action for a while, so perhaps the midfielder has a partial excuse for his below-par display.

17.26 – Arsenal are still trying to instigate their typical slick passing game, but more often than not, they’re crowded out in the final third by their relentlessly diligent opponents.

Consequently, the attacks normal end in a frustrated shot from distance, and contain little threat.

17.38 – It’s a very harsh red card.

Kompany wins the ball cleanly with a tackle, but he goes in two-footed as he does so.

Perhaps, once again, the letter of the law decrees that he has to go, but it still seems a little unfair, given that he won the ball and barely touched the man.

17.46 – Just over five minutes remain.

The sending off has made a difference, and Arsenal are pressing City intensively now.

In addition, Balotelli is about to come on for City.

18.00 –

(Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko celebrates in front of Arsenal fans after scoring his sides 2nd goal during their English Premier League soccer match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium – Alastair Grant/AP/Press Association Images)

(Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany (right) tackles Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere (left) before being issued a red card - Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport)

18.07 – It’s all over, and ultimately Arsenal can have few complaints.

It was always going to be an uphill task after they were deservedly reduced to 10 men early on, and it was made virtually impossible when they went 2-0 down.

Man City, unlike their opponents, were sharp in attack when necessary and defended rigorously in the second half to stamp out any threat of an Arsenal comeback.

Sky praised the Gunners for their “good spirit,” but these words amount to little more than feint praise, as they wilted when it mattered.