Man City 3-0 Arsenal: Wenger's problems mount as City give Gunners a thrashing

Mark Hughes could teach Arsene Wenger a lesson on how to handle players with mouths as big as their pay packets.

After watching Arsenal surrender to Manchester City at Eastlands, Wenger showed as much courage as his team when asked how he will deal with the outburst from subsequently deposed captain William Gallas that has thrown the Gunners into turmoil.

"I will not speak about Gallas," said Wenger after his players slumped to their fifth defeat of the season.

"We can stay here until midnight if you want, but I will not talk about Gallas because a player who did not play could not have affected the result."

Wenger later relented in a radio interview to insist his fellow Frenchman still has a future at the Emirates.

Perhaps when Gallas lambasted his team-mates for not being brave enough earlier in the week he should have also pointed a finger at Wenger.

The Arsenal manager will surely have to find a punishment to fit the crime if Gallas is to be welcomed back by his team mates.

Goals by Step hen Ireland, Robinho and Daniel Sturridge gave City only a second win in 23 top-flight meetings with the Gunners - and a victory for Hughes sticking by his convictions.

After picking up just one point from four matches, he could have forgiven Brazilian playmaker Elano for the recent outburst which cost him a £50,000 fine.

Instead, Elano was left on the bench for 73 minutes and Darius Vassell asked to keep Arsenal's attacking left-back Gael Clichy quiet.

Hughes said: "I don't know what has gone on at Arsenal, but players have to understand the manager makes the decisions. The tail can't wag the dog - and Arsene Wenger knows that more than anyone."

Stripped of eight players - including Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure - by suspension and injury, the loss of Gallas through sheer arrogance was a blow Arsenal could not overcome.

Once Ireland had put City aheadjust before half-time the Gunners were shot.

Clichy miskicked a clearance straight to the City midfielder after colliding with team-mate Mikael Silvestre and Ireland lifted a shot over Manuel Almunia.

Robinho took a leaf out of the Irishman's book to put City two up in the 56th minute with his ninth goal of the season.

The Brazilian timed his run to perfection when Shaun Wright-Phillips caught Arsenal square with the perfect pass and clipped a finish over the advancing Almunia that was born of pure genius.

Substitute Sturridge then compounded Arsenal's misery in injury time, scoring from the spot after being sent tumbling by Johan Djourou.

JOE FOR IT

Are Newcastle beginning to turn the corner under Joe Kinnear? Join the debate at forums.mirror.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

Arsenal won this game 3-1 last season, but in August 2006 City pipped the Gunners 1-0 thanks to a 41stminute Joey Barton penalty.

Stat Attack at EASTLANDS ATT: 44,878

How they rated

MAN CITY

Subs: Hamann (Robinho) 5, Sturridge (Benjani) 5, Elano (Vassell) 5

Arsenal Subs: Ramsey (Hoyte) 6, Vela (Diaby) 5

Shots

5 off target 7

7 on target 4

Story of the game

3 Corners 3

18 Fouls Conceded . 14

7 Offsides 1

0 Yellow 1

0 Red 0

MAN OF THE MATCH

STEPHEN IRELAND

8 Someone should buy him a vest and cape to go with the Superman pants

MANAGERS

M HUGHES

7 Gamble to play Vassell instead of Elano paid off

A WENGER

5 Injuries, suspension and a bigmouth captain cost him

REFEREE

ALAN WILEY 3

The worst performer on the pitch

Possession

34% 66%

Next four games

MAN UTD (H)

FULHAM (A)

EVERTON (H)

WEST BROM (A)

CHELSEA (A)

WIGAN (H)

MIDDLESBRO (A)

LIVERPOOL (H)