Man City beat Arsenal in friendly

Two goals in three minutes at the end of the first half gave Manchester City a 2-0 pre-season friendly win over Premier League rivals Arsenal amid a torrential downpour in Beijing. Roberto Mancini’s defending top-flight champions picked up the victory in front of more than 50,000 spectators at the famous Bird’s Nest stadium courtesy of goals from Pablo Zabaleta and Yaya Toure.Defensive errors cost Arsenal dear in the 41st and 44th minute and while Arsene Wenger’s Gunners dominated the second half, they could not find a goal.Mancini may be concerned about the state of his City squad but on the evidence of the glamour friendly, Wenger has more to worry about.City were lacking their Euro 2012 contingent but still overcame an Arsenal side featuring most of their senior players, although Robin van Persie was an obvious absentee, having been left at home amid massive speculation about his future.Van Persie has refused to sign a contract extension with the Gunners as he harbours serious reservations about their ability to compete with City and the Premier League’s big guns.

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Man City beat Arsenal in friendly