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***
The build-up to Manchester City's clash against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium was nothing short of electric.
The match had been circled on every football fan's calendar for weeks, billed as a potential Premier League top table decider. City, fresh off their dramatic 3-2 victory over Chelsea, were looking to solidify their grip at the top of the table, while Arsenal arrived in Manchester desperate to close the gap and assert their own title ambitions.
The morning of the match, the streets surrounding the Etihad were a sea of sky blue. Vendors lined the pathways, selling scarves, flags, and banners adorned with the faces of City's stars—Adriano, Kane, Hazard, and De Bruyne. Fans filled the local pubs and cafés, discussing lineups and tactical expectations, their voices buzzing with anticipation. City's anthem, "Blue Moon," echoed from car radios and shop speakers, casting a unifying rhythm across the crowd.
***
Matchday 23, Premier League
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Inside the stadium, the groundskeepers meticulously prepared the pitch, ensuring every blade of grass was trimmed to perfection. The iconic blue seats gradually disappeared under a wave of fans, each carrying flags and wearing scarves with pride. Chants of "City! City!" began to rise, growing louder as kickoff approached.
The media dubbed it "The Clash of the Titans," with headlines blaring predictions and tactical breakdowns. Analysts on television dissected every possible scenario. Gary Neville described City's firepower as "unmatched in the league," while Jamie Carragher warned of Arsenal's counter-attacking threat led by Sanchez and Welbeck.
Martin Tyler and Alan Smith settled into their commentary booth high above the pitch, preparing for what they knew would be a spectacle.
"This is more than just three points today, Alan," Martin Tyler began, adjusting his headset. "City are in full stride, but Arsenal's pace on the break could cause real problems."
"Absolutely, Martin," Alan Smith replied. "City's back line will have to be sharp, especially against the likes of Sanchez and Welbeck. But for me, the key battle is in midfield. De Bruyne and Silva against Ramsey and Cazorla—that's where this game could be won or lost."
City's Game Plan: Aggression and Control
In the home dressing room, Pellegrini stood in front of a tactical board, the lineup sketched out in perfect detail:
Manchester City Starting XI (4-3-3):
GK: Joe Hart
Defense: Kimmich, Hummels, Mangala, Kolarov
Midfield: Silva, De Bruyne
Attack: Hazard, Adriano, Salah
Striker: Kane
The Chilean manager paced slowly, eyes scanning his players. "Arsenal will try to control possession and hit us on the break," Pellegrini began, his tone firm but calm.
"But we won't let them settle. Hummels, Mangala—I want you tight on Giroud. Don't let him bring the ball down. Kimmich, you're going to shadow Sanchez. I don't want him picking those passes or shots easily. Kolarov keep an eye on Welbeck"
He turned to the attacking trio. "Hazard, Salah—stretch them wide. Force their fullbacks to make decisions. Adriano, I want you everywhere. Collect the ball deep, link with Kevin and David, and exploit those spaces. Harry," he paused, locking eyes with Kane. "Make it physical. Mertesacker hates it when he's pressed. Don't give him a second to breathe."
Kane nodded confidently. "Don't worry, boss. He's in for a long afternoon."
Adriano, standing beside Hazard, grinned. "You ready to run them ragged again?"
Hazard smirked. "Always. Let's make it hurt."
Arsenal's Plan: Possession and Counter-Punching
Meanwhile, down the hallway, Arsene Wenger paced with purpose inside Arsenal's dressing room. His lineup was strong and brimming with attacking threat:
Arsenal Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Wojciech Szczęsny
Defense: Kieran Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Nacho Monreal
Midfield: Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla
Attack: Alexis Sanchez, Özil, Welbeck
Striker: Giroud
Wenger spoke with intensity, his eyes sharp and calculating. "We know what City are going to do," he began, slapping his palm against the whiteboard.
"They'll press high and dominate possession. That's fine. We're ready. When we win the ball, we break—fast. Alexis, Danny—I want you flying down those wings. Özil, I need you to find those pockets. City will leave gaps. We need to punish them."
His players nodded, the tension and focus written on their faces. Sanchez rolled his shoulders, stretching out his legs, while Welbeck adjusted his shin pads with a grin. "Ready to shock them?" Welbeck asked Sanchez.
Sanchez smirked. "Always."
***
As the players emerged from the tunnel for their warm-ups, the noise levels inside the Etihad grew deafening. City fans held up signs—"King Adriano," "Blue Moon Galacticos," and "Hazard the Magician" among the many scattered throughout the stands. Flags waved rhythmically, creating a mosaic of sky blue across the stadium.
Tyler observed the players stretching on the pitch. "You can feel the tension in the air, Alan. This is a game that could define the champions league qualifications."
"City have the firepower, but Arsenal have the speed to hurt them," Alan Smith replied. "I think the first goal will be massive in this one. Both sides will want to stamp their authority early."
The two sides returned to their dressing rooms for final instructions. Pellegrini gathered his players one last time. "No mercy today. We control the game, we set the tempo. We are Manchester City, and this is our house." His voice was calm but resolute.
Adriano caught up with Kane before heading back down the tunnel. "Feel like grabbing a couple today?" Adriano asked with a grin.
Kane smirked. "Only if you set them up."
Adriano laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Deal."
The players lined up in the tunnel, tension crackling in the air. Adriano exchanged a nod with Giroud, both men exuding confidence. The referees gave the signal, and the teams walked out onto the pitch, greeted by a wall of noise from the City faithful.
The Etihad roared as the players took their places, City fans waving their flags with ferocity. The captains shook hands, the referee checked his watch, and anticipation hung heavy over the ground.
"This is it, Alan," Martin Tyler announced. "A game that could define the title race. City versus Arsenal, live from the Etihad. Hold on to your seats."
The whistle blew. The game was on.
****
From the first whistle, it was clear Arsenal intended to replicate their previous strategy against City—compact at the back, waiting for a chance to counter.
Arsène Wenger had set up his side in a well-drilled 4-2-3-1, designed to frustrate City's creative players and launch swift breaks when the opportunity arose.
Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla sat deep in midfield, tasked with disrupting City's rhythm, while Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck provided the speed on the flanks. Mesut Özil, deployed centrally, floated between the lines, looking to unlock City's defense with his pinpoint passing.
Up front, Olivier Giroud acted as the target man, his hold-up play crucial to Arsenal's counterattacking threat.
City, however, were a different beast since their last encounter. Pellegrini's 4-3-3 was fluid and aggressive, with Silva and De Bruyne controlling the tempo in midfield and Adriano operating just behind Harry Kane.
Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah flanked the attack, stretching Arsenal's backline and exploiting any defensive gaps.
City started brightly, their possession crisp and purposeful. Adriano, drifting between Arsenal's lines, was the focal point of City's forward play.
In the 5th Minute, He picked up the ball just inside Arsenal's half, his head up immediately as he scanned the field. Hazard spotted the gap behind Kieran Gibbs and made his run.
"Watch this movement from Hazard," Martin Tyler observed. "He's shaken off Gibbs, and Adriano's seen it."
Adriano, with a deft outside-of-the-boot flick, threaded a perfect pass through the heart of Arsenal's defense. Mertesacker and Gibbs were caught flat-footed, watching helplessly as the Belgian surged forward.
"That is inch-perfect from Adriano," Alan Smith added. "The weight, the timing—spot on."
Hazard controlled the ball in stride, took one touch to cut inside, and opened up his body. With defenders scrambling, he curled a precise shot toward the far corner. Szczęsny dived desperately, fingertips grazing the ball, but it wasn't enough. The net rippled.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "GOOOAAALLLL! EDEN HAZARD! MANCHESTER CITY TAKE THE LEAD!"
The Etihad erupted in celebration. Blue smoke flared up from the stands, and chants of "Blue Moon Galacticos" filled the air. Hazard sprinted toward the corner flag, sliding to his knees before kissing his wrist and pointing back at Adriano. Adriano jogged over, grinning widely as Hazard extended his hand.
"Perfect ball, mate," Hazard said, patting Adriano on the back.
"Just knew you'd be there," Adriano replied with a chuckle.
De Bruyne, Kane, and Silva joined the celebration, clapping Hazard on the back. Kane leaned in, laughing. "Keep serving them up like that, and it's gonna be a long day for them."
On the touchline, Pellegrini remained composed, offering a slight nod of approval to his players. Wenger, on the other hand, gestured furiously at his backline, urging them to tighten up.
"That's classic City," Tyler exclaimed. "Quick, precise, and lethal. What a ball from Adriano!"
"Hazard's finish was pure class," Alan Smith added. "Szczęsny had no chance. Arsenal caught napping there."
Arsenal responded with urgency. Cazorla and Ramsey began to see more of the ball, linking up with Özil, who threaded a clever pass to Sanchez down the left in the 14th minute.
The Chilean sprinted past Zabaleta and whipped in a dangerous cross. Giroud rose above Mangala, powering a header toward the bottom corner.
Joe Hart, at full stretch, got his fingertips to it, palming it around the post.
"Fantastic save from Hart!" Martin Tyler shouted. "That was heading in!"
Alan Smith nodded. "That's what Arsenal can do. City need to be careful; they're leaving too much space out wide."
From the resulting corner, Cazorla swung the ball into the box. Mertesacker climbed highest, nodding it toward goal, but the header sailed just over the bar, drawing groans from the Arsenal fans in the away end.
Arsenal looked rattled. Wenger paced along the touchline, urging his players to push higher and maintain their shape. His animated gestures spoke of frustration, but City smelled blood. The Etihad crowd sensed it too—the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
City's relentless pressure forced mistakes. Arsenal, attempting to play out from the back, moved the ball between Koscielny and Mertesacker, looking for a way to break the press. But City closed in, suffocating their options.
"City are pressing high up the pitch," Martin Tyler noted. "They're not giving Arsenal a second to think."
In the 16th minute, Under pressure, Koscielny attempted a risky pass across the box, trying to find Monreal on the left. It was a half-second too slow. Silva anticipated it perfectly, sliding in to intercept cleanly. The Spaniard took one look up and saw Adriano in space, already peeling away from Mertesacker.
"That's sloppy from Koscielny," Alan Smith commented. "You can't make those mistakes against a side like City."
Silva threaded a quick, crisp pass to Adriano, who took it in stride, glancing up just once to spot Szczęsny off his line. With almost casual elegance, Adriano unleashed a venomous, curling strike from the edge of the box. The ball swerved viciously, bending away from Szczęsny's desperate dive and crashing into the bottom right corner of the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "GOOOAAALLLL! ADRIANO! IT'S TWO FOR MANCHESTER CITY!"
The Etihad erupted. Adriano slid on his knees toward the corner flag, fists clenched, the roar of the crowd cascading down in waves. He kissed the City badge on his chest and pointed up to the stands, soaking in the adulation. Silva jogged over, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, beaming.
"That was pure class," Silva said, patting him on the back.
Adriano grinned. "They gave me too much space. I had to punish them."
Behind them, Hazard and Kane joined in, ruffling Adriano's hair as they laughed. "Keep that up, and they'll park the bus," Kane joked.
Adriano laughed. "They can try."
From the commentary box, Martin Tyler's voice carried the excitement. "What a strike from Adriano! He punished Arsenal for their sloppiness, and City are in full control now."
"And you have to say, Martin," Alan Smith added, "that's all about anticipation from Silva. He read that pass before it even left Koscielny's foot. Arsenal look shaken here."
City regained their composure and pushed forward again. De Bruyne slipped a pass into Adriano, who danced past Cazorla with a feint and spun around Ramsey. With space opening up, he rifled a shot from 25 yards out.
The ball dipped viciously, forcing Szczęsny into an acrobatic save, tipping it over the bar.
"That's pure brilliance from Adriano," Tyler marveled. "He's running the show right now."
"And look at the confidence!" Alan Smith added. "He's got Arsenal on their heels."
Adriano turned to Kane as they jogged back for the corner. "Thought that was going in," Adriano said, shaking his head.
Kane grinned. "Next one, mate. It's coming."
Arsenal tried to respond swiftly. Cazorla picked up the ball in midfield, shrugging off De Bruyne's challenge and threading it through to Özil. The German magician turned sharply, finding Sanchez wide left. Sanchez sprinted down the wing, cutting inside past Kimmich and whipping in a dangerous cross. Giroud rose to meet it, towering over Mangala—but the header flew just over the bar.
"That was better from Arsenal," Martin Tyler remarked. "A glimpse of their threat when they move it quickly."
Alan Smith agreed. "That's the kind of service Giroud thrives on. He won't want to miss too many of those."
Wenger clapped from the sideline, shouting words of encouragement. But City's backline, led by Hummels, regrouped quickly.
"Stay tight, stay focused!" Hummels barked, pointing at Mangala. "
Arsenal's frustration began to show. As Hazard received the ball and turned sharply, Cazorla clattered into him from behind, drawing an immediate whistle from the referee.
"That's late from Cazorla," Tyler remarked. "He's been chasing shadows all half."
The referee brandished a yellow card, and Hazard picked himself up, dusting off his kit. Adriano walked over, giving Hazard a pat on the back. "He's getting desperate," Adriano chuckled.
"Keep turning him; he can't keep up," Hazard replied with a grin.
City continued to press, dominating possession and forcing Arsenal deeper into their own half. The Etihad faithful responded, roaring their approval every time Adriano touched the ball.
"Arsenal need to find a way back into this, Martin," Alan Smith commented as the clock ticked towards halftime. "City are running the show, and if they're not careful, it could get away from them."
"Absolutely," Tyler agreed. "Adriano's dictating everything out there. Arsenal need to tighten up, or this could be a long afternoon."
The pressure mounted, and City looked hungry for more. Stamford Bridge had been a statement; today was a chance to cement their dominance. And with Adriano orchestrating every move, it seemed only a matter of time before the scoreboard changed again.
Frustration was beginning to seep into Arsenal's play. City, with their relentless pressure and seamless ball movement, continued to dominate possession. Wenger's side looked stretched and vulnerable, scrambling to contain City's fluid attack. Pellegrini's men sensed the vulnerability, probing for the next breakthrough.
In the 34th minute, Salah, darting down the right flank with blistering pace, forced Nacho Monreal into a desperate lunge just outside the penalty area. The Spaniard clattered into Salah, and the referee's whistle blew sharply.
"Free kick to City, dangerous position," Martin Tyler observed. "It's around 35 yards out, but with the quality they've got, you wouldn't rule them out."
Alan Smith chimed in, "They've been lethal from set-pieces this season. Arsenal have to stay switched on here."
Silva placed the ball carefully, eyeing the crowded penalty area as the Arsenal defense organized itself. Szczęsny barked orders, waving his arms frantically to get his backline in order. Silva stepped back, waiting for the referee's signal.
The whistle blew, and Silva delivered a perfectly weighted cross, lofted with precision into the heart of the box. Adriano, marked tightly by Mertesacker, watched the ball's flight with the poise of a predator. As the ball floated down, Mertesacker lunged forward, expecting a header. But Adriano, with a touch of pure elegance, backheeled the ball over the towering German, flicking it into open space just behind him.
"What a touch!" exclaimed Martin Tyler. "Adriano's just flicked it over Mertesacker like he's not even there!"
Before anyone could react, Adriano launched himself into the air with a scissor kick of absolute perfection. His right boot connected sweetly, sending the ball rocketing past a stunned Szczęsny, who barely moved as it smashed into the back of the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "OH MY WORD! ADRIANO AGAIN! WHAT A GOAL! SCISSOR KICK PERFECTION!"
The Etihad exploded in pure disbelief. Fans leapt from their seats, hands on heads, mouths agape. Some clutched their friends, shaking them as if to confirm what they'd just seen. Even the Arsenal supporters couldn't help but applaud; it was a goal that transcended rivalry.
On the pitch, Adriano stood relaxed, hands on his hips, soaking in the moment. He gave a slow, confident nod towards the crowd before his teammates mobbed him, laughing and shouting in disbelief.
"Mate, that was insane!" Kane shouted, slapping Adriano on the back.
Adriano just grinned, shrugging. "Sometimes you just have to try it, right?"
Silva caught up, shaking his head. "You do things I don't even think of," he laughed.
"That's pure genius, Martin," Alan Smith declared, still marveling. "To think of that in a split second... Adriano just keeps proving why he's among the very best."
The City fans sang their new tune once again
"He dances through the field
Floating like a dream
Adriano Riveiro
He's our King"
Arsenal's misery wasn't over yet. City weren't done. Arsenal's backline looked shell-shocked, gaps forming as City probed for another. In the 44th minute, De Bruyne picked up the ball on the left, shimmying past Monreal with a neat flick, sending the defender stumbling.
"De Bruyne's got space here," Martin Tyler noted. "Arsenal look stretched again."
De Bruyne glanced up, spotting Salah ghosting in behind Gibbs at the far post. With pinpoint accuracy, he whipped in a low, driven cross that skimmed across the six-yard box. Gibbs, caught flat-footed, could only watch as Salah tapped it in with the inside of his foot.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "GOOOAAALLLL! SALAH! MANCHESTER CITY FOUR, ARSENAL NIL!"
The Egyptian wheeled away in celebration, pointing to De Bruyne in appreciation. Adriano jogged over, giving Salah a playful shove, grinning widely.
"That was too easy," Adriano chuckled.
Salah smirked back. "I just had to show up. De Bruyne did everything else."
The City players gathered briefly near the corner flag, a sense of dominance palpable in their celebrations. Pellegrini clapped approvingly from the touchline, while Wenger looked crestfallen, hands on his hips, staring at the ground.
"Arsenal have been outclassed here," Tyler remarked, almost sympathetically. "They've had no answer to City's relentless pressing and creativity."
"Wenger's game plan has fallen apart," Alan Smith sighed. "They just can't cope with Adriano pulling the strings. City are running riot."
The City fans were in full voice, chants of "Blue Moon Galacticos" echoing through the Etihad, a celebration of dominance. Arsenal, meanwhile, looked shell-shocked and void of answers as the referee's whistle signaled halftime.
The scoreboard read Manchester City 4 – Arsenal 0, and Pellegrini's men walked off with heads held high, while Arsenal trudged back to the dressing room, visibly deflated.
****
The City fans were jubilant, singing songs and waving scarves. In contrast, the traveling Arsenal fans looked shell-shocked, some with their heads in their hands.
As the players walked off, Pellegrini clapped his team, exchanging a word with Adriano, clearly pleased. Wenger, on the other hand, gestured animatedly, his frustration visible.
The commentators summed it up:
"One of the most dominant halves we've seen from City this season," Tyler noted.
"Arsenal need a miracle to even make this respectable," Alan Smith responded.
Inside the City dressing room, the atmosphere was buoyant yet controlled. The players sat in a semi-circle, water bottles in hand, catching their breath after a first half of pure dominance. Pellegrini stood at the front, his demeanor calm but commanding. He clapped his hands to gather attention.
"Brilliant half, lads," Pellegrini began, nodding approvingly. "But listen—don't get sloppy. We control the tempo; we dictate the game. Arsenal are going to come out swinging. Stay sharp, stay focused."
Adriano leaned back in his seat, stretching his legs out and cracking a grin at Hazard beside him. "They're leaving so much space behind Monreal," Adriano noted, shaking his head. "It's like they're asking for it."
Hazard chuckled. "Every time I cut inside, it's wide open. We can punish them again."
Kane, taping up his boots, joined the conversation. "Just keep whipping those balls in. They can't deal with it," he added confidently.
Across the hall, the mood in the Arsenal dressing room was a stark contrast. Wenger paced back and forth, hands on his hips, frustration etched across his face. He stopped abruptly, turning to face his players.
"This is not good enough!" he barked. "Where's the fight? Where's the compactness? You're giving them too much time, too much respect."
Özil exchanged a weary glance with Ramsey, both knowing that City had completely dominated them. Ramsey sighed, rubbing his hands together. "We need to tighten up," he muttered under his breath. Özil nodded silently, adjusting his socks with a grim expression.
Wenger leaned over the tactics board, jabbing his finger at City's setup. "We need to press higher, stay compact. No more easy runs down the flanks. Close them down, force them wide!" he instructed, his voice rising with each word.
Meanwhile, the City fans outside were in full voice, the stands of the Etihad buzzing with anticipation. Chants of "Adriano, Adriano!" rang out from every corner, the supporters eager for the second half to begin.
The sense of dominance was palpable, almost suffocating. City had looked unstoppable, picking Arsenal apart with precision and flair.
The tunnel buzzed with energy as both sets of players re-emerged. Adriano jogged out confidently, exchanging a quick nod with De Bruyne. "More of the same?" De Bruyne asked with a grin.
"Absolutely," Adriano replied, stretching his arms. "Let's put this to bed."
Martin Tyler's voice filled the stadium speakers as the players took their positions. "The second half is about to begin. Arsenal have it all to do, but can they find a way back, Alan?"
Alan Smith responded thoughtfully, "They've got to find some pride in their play. If City continue like they did in the first half, this could get ugly."
The referee blew his whistle, and the game was back underway. The crowd roared to life, and the Etihad was electric, waiting to see if City would continue their merciless performance—or if Arsenal had any fight left in them.
*****
The players returned to the pitch with a buzz of anticipation lingering in the chilly Manchester air. City held a dominant 4–0 lead, and the Etihad crowd was in full voice, confident of victory but eager for more. Meanwhile, in the away dugout, Wenger made his adjustments. Ramsey was replaced by the experienced Tomas Rosicky, whose vision and energy were intended to spark some creativity in Arsenal's midfield. Giroud, who had been largely isolated and ineffective in the first half, was swapped for Theo Walcott, adding a burst of pace and directness to their attack.
As the players took their positions, Martin Tyler's voice filled the commentary booth. "Interesting adjustments from Wenger. He's looking for more energy and pace with Walcott coming on. They need something drastic to turn this around."
Alan Smith responded, his tone measured. "It's damage control now, Martin. But they also need to show some fight. That first-half performance just wasn't good enough for a club like Arsenal."
The referee blew his whistle, and the second half was underway. Arsenal immediately showed signs of life, pressing higher up the pitch and moving the ball with a bit more purpose. Rosicky's introduction brought sharper passing and a willingness to drive forward, while Walcott's speed began to stretch City's backline. Kimmich, alert and tenacious, found himself tracking Walcott's darting runs with every stride, matching his pace but keeping him on the outside.
In the 49th minute, Arsenal worked their first real opportunity. Rosicky slipped a quick pass to Alexis Sanchez, who spun around Mangala with surprising ease. Sanchez fired a low ball across the six-yard box, and Walcott, with his lightning acceleration, ghosted in behind Robertson. The crowd held its breath as Walcott lunged for the ball, but Joe Hart reacted with cat-like reflexes, diving low to smother the danger.
"That's more like it from Arsenal," Martin Tyler remarked, a hint of optimism in his voice. "A bit of urgency and purpose, finally."
Alan Smith nodded in agreement. "You can see what Wenger's trying to do here. Walcott's pace is stretching City's defense, but it's going to take more than that to crack this backline."
City responded with measured composure. Pellegrini, arms folded on the touchline, remained calm as his side absorbed the pressure.
Hummels, patrolling the defense like a sentry, broke up Arsenal's attempts to play through the middle with crunching tackles and well-timed interceptions. In the 55th minute, Rosicky attempted a clever one-two with Özil on the edge of the box, only for Hummels to slide in with precision, cutting off the move and immediately launching a counter.
The ball found its way to Silva, who danced past Cazorla before feeding Hazard on the left wing. Hazard took off at full speed, his quick feet leaving Monreal trailing behind. Hazard squared up with Koscielny, feinted right, then burst left, whipping in a low cross to the near post. Kane lunged for it, but Mertesacker's last-ditch clearance sent the ball looping into the air.
"Vital interception there from Mertesacker," Martin Tyler exclaimed. "If that had reached Kane, it was surely five."
Alan Smith agreed. "City just look lethal every time they get forward. Arsenal are hanging on by a thread."
The tempo remained high, with both sides exchanging blows. In the 60th minute, Arsenal tried to claw one back. Walcott sprinted down the right, using his blistering pace to break past Robertson. His cross found Alexis Sanchez at the back post, who attempted a first-time volley, but the Chilean sliced his effort well wide, much to the relief of the City fans.
Sanchez clapped his hands in frustration, while Rosicky jogged over, patting him on the back. "Next one," Rosicky encouraged. "We'll get the next one."
City's response was immediate. Casemiro won possession back with a thunderous tackle on Rosicky, springing another City attack. Adriano, dropping deep to collect the ball, threaded a pinpoint pass to Salah, who surged down the right flank. Monreal chased desperately, eventually sliding in late and clipping Salah's ankle. The referee's whistle blared, awarding City a free-kick and a stern warning for Monreal.
Salah stood up, brushing the dirt off his shorts. "He's got nothing else, mate," he chuckled to Adriano, who grinned back.
"Keep running at him," Adriano replied. "He's not going to last."
Silva jogged over to take the free-kick. His delivery was perfect, bending towards the far post where Hummels rose above everyone, meeting it with a thunderous header that whistled just over the bar. A collective gasp echoed around the stadium.
"So close!" Martin Tyler shouted. "Hummels nearly made it five!"
Alan Smith added, "You get the feeling there's more to come from City, Martin. Arsenal are barely holding on here."
The pressure was relentless, and City looked determined to extend their lead, controlling possession with authority and pouncing on every Arsenal mistake. Arsenal, for all their renewed energy, struggled to break City's rhythm. Pellegrini's side remained composed and hungry, sensing blood as the minutes ticked by.
The match was firmly in City's grasp, but the sense was clear: they weren't finished yet.
The second half continued with City firmly in control, their fluid movement and clinical finishing leaving Arsenal scrambling for answers. In the 63rd minute, a tactical change came from Pellegrini as David Silva, who had been the heartbeat of City's creativity, signaled to the bench. The Spaniard had been instrumental but appeared to be feeling some discomfort. Pellegrini responded swiftly, sending on Yaya Toure to bolster the midfield.
Martin Tyler picked up on the switch immediately. "A change for Manchester City—David Silva makes way for Yaya Toure. That's power and presence coming into the middle now, Alan."
Alan Smith nodded. "Absolutely, Martin. Yaya Toure is the kind of player who can dominate that midfield. With City already cruising, his presence just makes things even more daunting for Arsenal."
Toure wasted no time stamping his authority. His towering presence and graceful control gave City an added edge, and within minutes, he began dictating the tempo. In the 65th minute, Toure collected the ball just inside City's half, shrugged off Rosicky's challenge with ease, and lifted his head. Spotting Kane's clever diagonal run between Mertesacker and Koscielny, Toure delivered a perfect through ball, dissecting the Arsenal defense with pinpoint accuracy.
Kane powered forward, shrugging off Monreal's desperate tug at his shoulder. Szczęsny rushed out, attempting to narrow the angle, but Kane was ice-cool, lifting the ball delicately over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "GOOOAAALLLL! HARRY KANE MAKES IT FIVE FOR MANCHESTER CITY!"
The Etihad erupted once again, chants of "Harry Kane! Harry Kane!" filling the stands. Kane sprinted towards the corner flag, sliding to his knees with fists clenched. Adriano was the first to reach him, patting him firmly on the back.
"That's just clinical," Alan Smith commented, admiration evident in his voice. "One pass, one run, one goal. City are unstoppable right now."
"That ball from Yaya Toure was world-class," Martin Tyler added. "Perfectly weighted, perfectly timed. Arsenal are getting carved open."
As the celebrations settled, Arsenal tried to respond. Wenger, on the touchline, was urging his players forward with frantic gestures. Özil began dropping deeper to collect the ball, attempting to find any pocket of space he could. Rosicky, always the fighter, was snapping into tackles, trying to rally his teammates. In the 70th minute, Arsenal almost clawed one back. Walcott found space down the right and whipped in a low cross. Alexis Sanchez darted in front of Mangala, flicking the ball towards goal, but Joe Hart was quick to react, diving to his left to push the ball around the post.
"Good save from Hart," Martin Tyler called out. "That's Arsenal's best chance so far, but Hart was equal to it."
Alan Smith chimed in, "They've just not been able to get the ball into those areas often enough. City have been too strong, too quick."
The resulting corner was easily cleared by Hummels, and City regained control. Pellegrini's side resumed their dominance, passing with purpose and stretching Arsenal's defense with relentless width. Hazard and Salah continued to terrorize Monreal and Gibbs, forcing fouls and mistakes. In the 73rd minute, Salah raced down the right wing, only for Monreal to bring him down with a clumsy challenge. The referee blew his whistle, awarding City a free-kick just outside the box.
Adriano jogged over, placing the ball down and exchanging a quick word with Hazard. "Far post?" Hazard asked with a grin.
Adriano smirked. "Always."
The Portuguese star stepped up, curling a vicious delivery towards the back post. Hummels rose highest, meeting it with a powerful header that flashed just wide of the target. He clapped his hands in frustration, while Adriano raised his thumb in approval.
"So close!" Martin Tyler exclaimed. "Hummels was inches away from making it six!"
The crowd roared in appreciation as City continued to press. Their pressure paid off just minutes later. In the 75th minute, Hazard once again tormented Gibbs, cutting inside with a sharp turn before whipping a perfect cross into the box. Kane, tightly marked by Koscielny, saw his shooting lane blocked. Thinking quickly, he nodded the ball back across goal instead of forcing a shot, where Adriano was waiting.
Adriano controlled it on his chest, let it drop to his left foot, and fired a clinical finish low and hard into the bottom corner. Szczęsny barely had time to react as the ball kissed the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "GOOOOOAAAALLLL! ADRIANO AGAIN! SIX FOR MANCHESTER CITY!"
The stadium erupted, louder than ever before. Adriano sprinted towards the stands, cupping his ears to the rapturous noise. He then stopped, placing his hands on his head as if removing an invisible crown, before tossing it into the crowd. The fans played along, leaping in celebration, chanting his name with thunderous passion.
Martin Tyler chuckled over the microphone. "Oh, he's just toying with them now, isn't he? That imaginary crown might as well be real with the way he's playing."
Alan Smith joined in. "He's having the time of his life. Arsenal just can't handle him."
Kane caught up to Adriano, playfully nudging him on the shoulder. "You never run out of ideas, do you?"
Adriano grinned back. "Why stop when they're giving me so much space?"
Kane laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, King, keep going then."
The players jogged back into their positions, City's confidence unshaken, their grip on the match unrelenting. Arsenal looked beaten—not just on the scoreboard, but in spirit. Wenger's adjustments had done little to stem the tide, and City seemed intent on pouring it on. The Etihad faithful sensed it too, chanting louder, urging their side forward with every pass.
City, dominant and ruthless, were showing no mercy. And for Arsenal, it looked like a long way back.
***
As the clock ticked into the 80th minute, the Etihad was buzzing with anticipation. Manchester City's dominance had been absolute, and Pellegrini knew the job was done. He walked to the edge of his technical area and raised his hand, signaling for the change. The fourth official's board went up, flashing Adriano's number. The stadium erupted into a deafening roar of applause.
Martin Tyler's voice cut through the noise. "Listen to that, Alan. A standing ovation for a standing performance. Adriano has been magnificent today."
Alan Smith replied with admiration, "Absolutely. He's been unplayable—three goals, an assist, and complete control of that midfield. This crowd knows it."
Adriano jogged towards the sideline, clapping his hands above his head in appreciation of the fans' support. His grin was wide, his eyes scanning the thousands of City fans standing and cheering his name. Pellegrini met him with a firm handshake and a pat on the back. "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant," Pellegrini said with a nod of approval.
"Cheers, boss," Adriano replied, his breathing heavy but his smile unyielding. He turned and slapped hands with James Milner, who came on to replace him. "Shut it down, yeah?" Adriano said with a grin.
Milner laughed. "You make it look easy, mate."
Adriano chuckled and made his way to the bench, draping a towel over his shoulders as he settled in. His teammates on the bench greeted him with pats on the back and nods of respect. "That scissor kick, mate," Kolarov said, shaking his head. "You're taking the piss!"
Adriano laughed. "Just a bit of fun." He watched the pitch with a satisfied smile, replaying moments in his head, occasionally chatting with his teammates about key plays.
On the field, City maintained their composure. Milner's introduction added a layer of defensive grit as he immediately slotted into midfield, barking orders and pressing hard. Arsenal, desperate to salvage some dignity, pushed forward but found City's defense impenetrable. In the 83rd minute, Walcott broke free down the right and drilled a low shot toward the bottom corner, only for Hummels to slide in with a perfectly timed block, sending the ball out for a corner.
"That's brilliant defending from Hummels," Martin Tyler commented. "Even with a six-goal lead, City aren't giving Arsenal anything."
Alan Smith added, "That's the mentality of champions, Martin. Relentless until the very end."
Arsenal tried again moments later. Özil threaded a clever ball through for Rosicky, who darted into the box. Just as he looked to shoot, Kimmich appeared out of nowhere, stretching to poke the ball away cleanly. "Superb anticipation from Kimmich," Alan Smith remarked. "The young lad is playing beyond his years today."
City, meanwhile, were content to control possession, knocking the ball around with confidence and ease. Toure and De Bruyne exchanged short passes in midfield, occasionally spreading it out wide to Hazard and Salah, who slowed the tempo and drew fouls to wind down the clock. The home fans were loving it, waving scarves and chanting songs.
By the 88th minute, the City supporters began to sing, "We want seven! We want seven!" The chants grew louder, echoing through the stands, but Pellegrini was content. He signaled to his players to keep their shape and see the match out professionally.
The final whistle blew, and the Etihad exploded into cheers and applause.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 6 – 0 ARSENAL
The City players embraced on the pitch, laughing and congratulating one another. Kane wrapped an arm around Adriano near the dugout. "You're gonna need a new trophy cabinet if you keep playing like that," Kane joked.
Adriano grinned. "I'll just take yours."
Pellegrini clapped proudly on the touchline, shaking hands with his coaching staff and the Arsenal bench. Wenger, meanwhile, shook his head in disbelief, a quick handshake with Pellegrini before he vanished down the tunnel. His face told the story of a man who had witnessed a tactical masterclass.
"That was pure dominance," Martin Tyler stated with finality. "Manchester City have sent a message to the entire league tonight."
Alan Smith agreed. "They're not just contenders, Martin. With Adriano in this form, they're outright favorites. Arsenal just couldn't live with them today."
The announcement came over the speakers: "Man of the Match: Number 10, Adriano!"
The Etihad cheered louder, fans chanting his name long after the final whistle. Cameras flashed as reporters gathered near the tunnel, but Adriano kept it low-key.
He shook hands with his teammates, shared a quick word with Hazard and Kane, and made his way to the dressing room, towel still draped over his shoulders, his expression calm and composed. He wanted to just relax now.
The City fans left the stadium in full voice, singing songs about their star man and their title hopes. There was a sense of inevitability in the air—City were on a march, and with Adriano leading the charge, the league felt like it was theirs to lose.
****
Current Stats of Adriano:
Premier League
Matches: 18
Goals: 24
Assists: 16
Current top scorer of Premier League, and top on Assists list.
*
Champions League
Matches: 6
Goals: 15
Assists: 5
Current top scorer, 2nd in Assists
*
FA Cup
Matches: 1
Goals: 2
Assists: 2