Arsenal 1 - 0 Manchester City

Mikel Artera fired the ball past keeper Joe Hart

Manchester City drifted eight points apart from leaders Manchester United, ending their pursuit of a first league title in 44 years, after a 1-0 defeat from Arsenal.

Arsenal were generally dominant and Mikel Arteta scored the winner on 86th minute after they were denied several times including, penalty appeal waved away and a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside.

Mario Balotelli was sent off after receiving a second card yellow in stoppage time to incur a three-match suspension, having previously been sanctioned this season for a red card at Liverpool and a stamp on Tottenham Hotspur's Scott Parker that prompted a retrospective ban.

In the first half his terrible challenge on Alex Song, that deserved a straight red card, went unnoticed by the referee and was also guilty of a deliberate handball. He finally got the deserved red card in the second half


Roberto Mancini has suggested Mario Balotelli has played his last game for Man City after their defeat.

"Mario should have been sent off after 20 minutes," said the City manager. "I've finished my words for him. I've finished. I love him as a guy, as a player. I know him. He's not a bad guy and is a fantastic player. But, at this moment, I'm very sorry for him because he continues to lose his talent, his quality.