Arsenal ends Manchester City's winning streak with a 1-0 victory

Arsenal ended Manchester City's unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory at the Emirates thanks to Cesc Fabregas, though it was hard on Kasper Schmeichel, outstanding again, who saved a Robin van Persie penalty.

Without Jens Lehmann, Arsenal lost Phillipe Senderos in the warm up to an ankle injury. Gilberto Silva was therefore forced into a swifter return than manager Arsene Wenger was planning. When the game got underway, Emmanuel Adebayor sent a rising shot over the bar. Then Martin Petrov fired wide as City broke forward threateningly. Then Mpenza shot wide with a snap-shot.

Dietmar Hamann was deservedlly booked for a nasty tackle on Robin van Persie. Bacary Sagna had to go off after a knock, Denilson coming on and midfielder Mathieu Flamini joining another, Gilberto, in central defence for the Gunners. Van Persie left a sly foot in on Kasper Schmeichel, which was unnecessary. Then Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas linked up on the right and Cesc sent in a a square pass that was just beyond the stretching Robin van Persie. Alex Hleb squandered a chance as Schmeichel flapped at a cross under pressure from Adebayor. After the break, when the ball broke for Martin Petrov on the left of the Arsenal area the Bulgarian fired just wide of the post. With City dominating, Arsenal won a penalty against the run of playt as Micah Richards tripped Hleb in the area.

But Schmeichel saved Van Persie's fiercel struck spot kick to preserve his clean sheet this season and enhance the family reputation. However, TV replays showed the City keeper was well off his line and the linesman spotted it, so the kick should have been retaken. Cesc Fabregas fired in a fierce shot that Schmeichel tipped over. Fabregas then slid in on Elano on the edge of the area and his tackle launched a flowing Arsenal attack, but Adebayor volleyed way over.