Arsenal 1, Manchester City 0:Something had to give eventually and, in the end, it was Kasper Schmeichel. The young Dane was engrossed in lengthy conversation with his father Peter after this contest, reflecting on his first concession in almost six hours of Premier League football. Yet, if an immaculate start to the season has been wrecked, Manchester City and their young goalkeeper can draw comfort even in defeat.
Schmeichel Jr began this season expecting at best to be loaned out to a lower league club and at worst to be stewing as third or fourth choice at Eastlands. Sven-Goran Eriksson had intended to recruit an experienced goalkeeper to compete with his compatriot Andreas Isaksson for first-team selection. As it is, an injury to the Swede and the onus placed on strengthening elsewhere handed the 20-year-old an opportunity which he has grasped.
Even so, it is hard to fathom just how the youngster had remained impregnable for 350 minutes of league football. There is a wide-eyed naivety to Schmeichel's approach which is understandable for someone so young. His fragile frame makes him appear vulnerable whenever crosses veer into the area, and his indecision within the six-yard box can prompt panic even in the resolute Richard Dunne and Micah Richards.
Yet the reality is the Denmark under-21 international did everything asked of him here when Arsenal found their range, to the extent he even saved a penalty from Robin van Persie. The saves summoned thereafter had his father nodding in appreciation in the stand. "He's not flash, he concentrates very well and that's the key to being a good goalkeeper," he said. "They (his team-mates) trust him."
Schmeichel will have accepted some culpability for the goal he shipped, thrashed beyond him at his near post by Cesc Fabregas from an awkward angle. Richards permitted the Spaniard too much space in which to summon such venom for his shot, though Schmeichel would have expected to have blocked the attempt.
Eriksson will not be adding a goalkeeper to his ranks ahead of the closure of the transfer window on Friday but that is because he hopes Isaksson is nearing a return from a broken thumb. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, however, did confirm more money will be spent this week.
"I don't know whether his inexperience would eventually cost us, but the way he works and behaves, he doesn't look 20," conceded the former England manager. "I've never had a first-choice goalkeeper this young before. He's not as tall as Petr Cech but he is quicker. He has to be cleverer but he hates to see the ball go into the net."
His disgust was Arsenal's relief. This was a far better performance than Eriksson's side had mustered conjuring an unlikely victory in the derby with United the previous week, and Martin Petrov and Emile Mpenza might have secured the visitors a lead before the hosts found late bite. Arsenal were their usual blend of the entrancing and the infuriating. They were slick and inventive venturing forward, Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rosicky gliding menacingly down the flanks, and thrilled with their rat-a-tat approach play.
Nevertheless the first shot summoned on target was effectively van Persie's penalty just after the hour. Schmeichel's save - the referee's assistant had flagged for the penalty to be retaken after the goalkeeper encroached from his line, only to be ignored by Chris Foy - served to spur the hosts on with a flurry of subsequent chances eventually culminating in Fabregas's ferocious finish.
Eriksson forecast last season's top four would re-establish themselves at the summit this season, though Arsene Wenger was more wary, his mood hardly improved by Michel Platini's proposals to grant the fourth Champions League place to the FA Cup winners. "The team that plays 38 games and finishes fourth deserves it more than a team that has had six good games," said the Frenchman. "But, personally, I feel it will be harder than ever to finish in the top four."
