James Tyler: Adieu, you brave bootroomers. Au revoir.

James Tyler: @JamesTylerESPN
@rogbennett

James Tyler: Cheers, Rog! A pleasure as always. Check us on Twitter, Xanga, Facebook, Friendster, LiveJournal and the like.

James Tyler: Your comments, wit and wisdoms were greatly appreciated. We'll do this again very soon! Champions League, or next weekend, or tomorrow. Who knows! Keep checking ESPNFC.com for future chats. And the other content's decent too.

Roger Bennett: Rock on JT...

Roger Bennett: Being Liverpool Sklyer. Being Liverpool. It's real.

James Tyler: And thank you all -- except Rog -- for being gentle about Liverpool's misery.

James Tyler: Thanks so much for joining us for this one. Spurs with about 45 seconds to hang on.

Roger Bennett: Championship trophy is still a trophy JT. Focus on the positives.

Roger Bennett: Follow us on the Twits...

@rogbennett (onion bagel)

@jamestylerespn (everything bagel)

James Tyler: Roger, I'm sea sick and I'm sat on my couch. Doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. Only 34 or so games of this to go!

James Tyler: Thinking City fans will be furious as the points dropped. A real counter-attacking effort for City at home. Little impetus, not many meaningful chances. Was set up nicely for a stolen victory from a more deserving team.

Roger Bennett: Feels like you are reading the table upside down, right JT?

James Tyler: Indeed, Tom. We have almost reached an end of things. Almost. Things will soon cease to be happening.

James Tyler: What think, Bryce? Third?

Roger Bennett: City yet to impress this season. Concerns all round. Blunt up front. no consistent back line. And Silva. Where Art thou?

James Tyler: Spurs 2, QPR 1. Seems like AVB's lads are in charge. In 2nd minute of stoppage time.

James Tyler: Well, then. I'm not quite used to seeing Arsenal look this resolute. It's scary. I don't think it'll seriously impact the title race, but it's cause for concern.

James Tyler: Good game, overall. And, most importantly, incident-free. Two smart goals making a mockery of zonal marking. That's always fun. Arsenal with nearly 60% of the ball and 26 combined shots on goal for the two sides.

James Tyler: A game passes WITHOUT CONTROVERSY. I'm flabbergasted.

James Tyler: FULL TIME: Manchester City 1, Arsenal 1.

James Tyler: A point well-earned, really Adam. Good character to get the late equalizer. I'm jealous.

Roger Bennett: massive point for Arsenal. And richly deserved. how are you feeling Arsenal fans?

James Tyler: Whoa. A rare foul throw call by Mike Dean. Arsenal throw-in on halfway. With seconds remaining, there's little rush.

James Tyler: Free kick for Arsenal, 35 yards out on the right. Lofted in by Arteta but comfortably cleared by Lescott.

James Tyler: Jenkinson rugby-tackled by Javi Garcia as he's about to break free down the right. YELLOW CARD for the City midfielder, who's been good today.

James Tyler: I'd disagree on the first bit of your statement.

James Tyler: Interesting, Colin.

Roger Bennett: My 6 year old son just asked me why Gervinho is wearing a headband. "Is it just to squeeze his head"

James Tyler: SUB FOR ARSENAL: Coquelin on, Gervinho euthanized.

James Tyler: Gervinho, the full English breakfast of soccer. So bad it's good.

James Tyler: In space at the top of the box, room to shoot. He absolutely skies it over the bar.

Roger Bennett: Wow. Gervinho. Some kind of Art-performance.

James Tyler: DEAR OH DEAR GERVINHO

James Tyler: Three minutes to be added.

James Tyler: Spurs still leads QPR 2-1. 4 mins to play there.

James Tyler: Gunners settling again in the City half.

James Tyler: Two minutes left plus stoppage time.

James Tyler: Balotelli does well to control a long ball but Koscielny springs out to dispossess.

James Tyler: Yeah, I forgot him. Like I said, so many possible candidates in a funny game.

James Tyler: Toure is tripped by the superb Gervinho. Can't fault the Ivorian for the entertainment he brings.

James Tyler: Seriously, I have no clue who to nominate as MOTM.

James Tyler: City goal kick as Giroud can't corral a long ball aimed his way down the left side of the box.

James Tyler: SUB FOR CITY: Balotelli is indeed on. I missed who he replaced. Five minutes left.

Roger Bennett: Balo on. alongside his snuggle buddy, Tevez.

James Tyler: First cross is cleared, it's pinged back in for Kompany, who has the gall to BICYCLE KICK it on target. Mannone's fine save rebounds to Aguero, who puts his shot wide of the post by mere inches.

James Tyler: Chance for City! An absurd sequence!

James Tyler: MAN THINE ZONES, GUNNERS

James Tyler: Indeed, Rog. Another City corner.

Roger Bennett: Uh oh, Corners are the new penalties.

James Tyler: Cannot speak enough good of the shot. Was a real humdinger of a strike. Good contact, perfectly placed.

James Tyler: Lescott nods the cross into Koscielny's path and the defender slices it into the top corner from 12 yards!

Roger Bennett: ZONAL BLOODY MARKING

James Tyler: LAURENT KOSCIELNY STRIKES ANOTHER DAGGER BLOW FOR ZONAL MARKING

Roger Bennett: There he is. The thinnest face in football strikes for Arsenal

James Tyler: GOAL FOR ARSENAL!

James Tyler: Corner to Arsenal.

James Tyler: Chance for Arsenal! Cazorla forces a fine save from Joe Hart!

Roger Bennett: Strong hands there Joe Hart

James Tyler: Yes. Came far too far off his line and missed the ball, Chris D. Next!

Roger Bennett: Finger stinger for Joe Hart.

James Tyler: Nevermind; Mertesacker tidies up on the edge of the box. Job done.

James Tyler: Silva's corner is comfortably cleared, only Gervinho gives the ball back to City in the Arsenal half.

James Tyler: Still, corner for City. ZONAL MARKING ALERT.

James Tyler: Chance for City! Massive counter-attack following Silva's tackle. Yaya Toure sprints upfield and passes to Aguero, wide right. The Argentine frontman shoots wide.

Roger Bennett: Yaya. Poor there. You could hear his brain computing before executing too late

James Tyler: Promising stuff for Arsenal until Jenkinson is smartly tackled by David Silva on the edge of the box.

James Tyler: Walcott's cross is too high for Gervinho to reach. Shame.

Roger Bennett: Fabulous play by Koscielny there.

James Tyler: Gervinho on the ball. Left wing. Works it back inside to Walcott. Gets it back. Passes infield for Cazorla but Javi Garcia, who's had a fine game, intercepts.

James Tyler: Presuming that Gervinho's pace in wide areas gives him more value in the final 15 mins?

James Tyler: 15 mins to play at White Hart Lane: Spurs still leading QPR 2-1.

James Tyler: 15 minutes left at the Etihad. Arsenal still fumbling for an equalizer.

James Tyler: Anything that gets Wilshere closer to playing again is a good thing. Unless he suffers a setback.

James Tyler: Agree, Adam. Far from last season's teenaged punchline.

James Tyler: Ping-pong stuff around the City box. Mertesacker and Giroud combine but the German's offside. Hart pounced on Mertesacker's flick anyway.

Roger Bennett: They never mention Zonal Marking when it works do they?

James Tyler: Set piece doesn't clear the first defender.

James Tyler: Arsenal corner thanks to Giroud's hard work.

James Tyler: (counts Harry)

Roger Bennett: 17 big minutes for Giroud...

James Tyler: Be honest, Jared: do Arsenal fans really care if he stays?

James Tyler: Toure tries to find Tevez in the box. Goal kick, Arsenal.

James Tyler: SUBS FOR ARSENAL: Diaby and Podolski off, Walcott and Giroud on.

James Tyler: City's latest counter-attack ends as Gael Clichy's cross soars over the bar.

James Tyler: Double sub for the Gunners coming up...

James Tyler: Amazing, really.

James Tyler: Arsenal's passing rhythms are at a low ebb. Gervinho appears to have injured Aaron Ramsey as the pair went for a loose ball.

James Tyler: (marks Billy Nerney's words)

James Tyler: 2016. Seriously, he's practiced once in 14 months. Knee and ankle surgeries.

Roger Bennett: Scott Norwood.

James Tyler: 22 minutes left. Arsenal yet to make a change. Surely a bad move.

Roger Bennett: Toure went with the sandwedge when he needed the three iron

James Tyler: Still some 50% of voters think Arsenal's winning this one....

James Tyler: SUB FOR MAN CITY: Edin Dzeko off, Carlos Tevez on.

James Tyler: It's to be expected, Colin. Lack of pace means he must use what little pace he has wisely. Hence he does make good reads of the action around him.

James Tyler: Gervinho blazes a shot wide from inside the box. Cazorla set him up, and probably regretted his choice immediately.

James Tyler: Gervinho does brilliantly to keep it in play on the left endline, but Kompany intercepts his low cross.

Roger Bennett: Silva. Silva. Silva. What has happened to your decision making this season?

James Tyler: Meanwhile at the Etihad, Arsenal's struggling to create a meaningful chance on goal.

James Tyler: You'll get a chance, Jay Jay. Probably around February.

James Tyler: Madness at White Hart Lane: two minutes after Alejandro Faurlin's own goal, Defoe has put Tottenham 2-1 up.

Roger Bennett: Is a pass, no matter how wonderful, to Gervinho, a bad ball?

James Tyler: Things are happening, Tom. At White Hart Lane, mind.

James Tyler: City settling into some rather gentle passing.

James Tyler: As I type that, Silva fires in a left-side cross that almost reaches Dzeko.

James Tyler: 62 mins gone and the game is entering its not-much-happening phase.

James Tyler: And Spurs has equalized! It's all happening now, as they say when things are happening.

James Tyler: Silva scythed down on the flank by Carl Jenkinson.

James Tyler: Bob, did you bet in Vegas on that? I bet the payout is astronomical.

Roger Bennett: HODGMAN

James Tyler: It's very bad, Bobby V.

Roger Bennett: For Americans, it is the opposite of "Rad"

James Tyler: Still Spurs 0, QPR 1.

James Tyler: Lovely turn of phrase, that, from ESPNFC contributor Miguel Delaney.

Roger Bennett: I miss Ian Darke.

James Tyler: Gunners' pressure time. Gibbs, Diaby and Cazorla linking up on the left flank. Super Santi makes a meal of his cross.

Roger Bennett: If City replace Dzeko with Tevez, they can score for fun on the counter...

James Tyler: QPR still leads Tottenham 1-0. Andre Villas-Boas must be a picture of fun on the touchline.

Roger Bennett: Love is. Tevez and Balo cudding pic.twitter.com/TSBDxhz5

James Tyler: Podolski chops down Zabaleta in midfield as the pair go for a 50/50 ball. That'll slow things down.

James Tyler: End to end humdinger at the moment, the action all too blurry and free-flowing to pin down in words.

James Tyler: He did a bit, didn't he?

James Tyler: Chance for City! Javi Garcia's free-header from a set piece is right at Mannone. Amazingly, he saves it.

James Tyler: You'll find no bias with me, Rog. None. I am more impartial than Craig Burley in discussions of set-piece defensive tactics.

Roger Bennett: JT. Objective. And focussed on the present. I respect that

James Tyler: City can have no complaints. Unlike Liverpool about 3 hours ago.

James Tyler: Chance for City! Javi Garcia wins it back in midfield, it's shuttled to Aguero on the edge of the box where Koscielny hauls him down. No penalty as Aguero did get back up and screw a shot wide.

James Tyler: they work so well together, Rog.

Roger Bennett: Dzeko is yet to pass the ball to Aguero in 50 minutes of football

James Tyler: Corner for City. ZONAL MARKING. It's cleared. Zabaleta's follow-up shot is blocked by Diaby.

James Tyler: @Rog -- they certainly appear enthralled by Rodgers. Henry mused on Brendan's THREE HOUR presentation of his style, philosophy and plans for LFC during the summer trip to Boston.

Roger Bennett: Steve Bould's pulse rises steadily...

Roger Bennett: FSG are smart gents. They will work it out and learn from their mistakes.

James Tyler: Chance for City! Aguero flashes a narrow-angled shot well wide after City's free-kick makes it to him unmarked at the back post.

Roger Bennett: I think it has more to do with lack of ownership bandwidth rather than finance.

James Tyler: It's possible. But we thought the same about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and United when the Glazers strolled in. That said, does anyone care about the Buccaneers?

James Tyler: City counter-attack but Yaya Toure's crossfield pass is intercepted by Cazorla, I think. Gunners settle back down in the City half.

James Tyler: Arsenal corner is well-defended. Salvation for zonal marking, perhaps.

James Tyler: Thank you Skyler! Note to all: flattery will ensure your comments get published.

Roger Bennett: What is worse? Gervinho's decision making on the ball or in the barber's chair?

James Tyler: @Zaphod: check the FC United blog
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited?cc=5901

James Tyler: Early chance for City! Yaya Toure drags a shot wide from 20 yards out.

James Tyler: SUB FOR MAN CITY: Jack Rodwell on, Scott "Why Did We Buy Him?" Sinclair off

James Tyler: We're off again!

James Tyler: Right, back to the actual game that's happening. Arsene Wenger emerges from the Etihad tunnel and re-zips his massive puffy jacket.

Roger Bennett: Red Sox and Liverpool could do a swap. Being Liverpool Meet Wife Swap.

James Tyler: BRILLIANT.

James Tyler: @Zaphod: you can read my Monday morning recaps of each "gripping" episode.

Roger Bennett: Rent Waiting for Guffman and the first season of the English Office.

James Tyler: Hastily firing managers for short-term shortcomings is a lose-lose. Means starting all over again. They've invested in Rodgers and will trust him to turn it around. I suspect that they're seeing the positivity in Liverpool's play despite the poor results.

Roger Bennett: More time to dedicate to interior decorating. he wins or he wins

James Tyler: Doubt it. John Henry will give him more rope than that.

James Tyler: Ah, young love.

Roger Bennett: Follow us on Twitter:
@rogbennett (me)

@jamestylerespn (him)

James Tyler: No comment from me. I wasn't there so I can't speculate.

James Tyler: 20th place. Absconds to Colombia with all the money in the Anfield bank vault.

James Tyler: Happy to see these long-touted youth talents getting opportunities. Good for the squad.

James Tyler: Lovely to see him deployed. Has a vision and sense of calm that our midfield needs in the attacking third.

James Tyler: FT: Newcastle 1, Norwich 0.

James Tyler: Incorrect. He's there on a long-term deal and I think by now FSG realizes that changing managers every 10 minutes is a fool's game.

Roger Bennett: Everton Supporters... Shhhhh. To say it is to curse it...

James Tyler: City Chelsea United Arsenal

James Tyler: A bagel covered in random stuff. Caraway seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt, onion.

Roger Bennett: "Young players dont be lazeh, eh?"

Roger Bennett: Gas Gas quick boys an ecstacy of fumbling

Roger Bennett: Dark horse top four? Sure. To win it. Only in my dreams.

Roger Bennett: What is Arsene Wenger saying to his team? They are surely very much in this game. Expecting Podolski to start shooting on sight in this second half.

James Tyler: Turkey sandwich. Next!

James Tyler: Rog, one more outburst and I'll red card you. I'll give you the Halsey Treatment.

James Tyler: Your thoughts, Rog? I'm "answering" questions at a breathtaking pace, I realize.

Roger Bennett: Joe. Being: Liverpool.

Roger Bennett: That is the diff for teams like Swansea and Everton. An injury or two -- or a suspension -- can stun momentum. Great teams. Poor squads...

James Tyler: Southampton. Next!

James Tyler: Injuries, Jeff. Only Alan Tate was available to play a natural CB yesterday. Alan Tate. He was dismal.

James Tyler: Chelsea. Next!

James Tyler: Still early. Next!

James Tyler: Par for the course, Rog?

James Tyler: I believe Lamps will eventually turn up on American shores. Read something intriguing this morning on Twitter that he shares an agent with a Galaxy player.

Roger Bennett: Spurs booed off at half time...

James Tyler: Apology accepted, Pog.

James Tyler: IN OTHER NEWS: Newcastle is almost home free. 1-0 up at home to Norwich in the 89th minute. QPR leads Spurs 1-0 at half-time.

Roger Bennett: Arteta, Cazorla finding a huge amount of time on the ball. Yet Cazorla solely responsible for Arsenal's only two shots on target.

James Tyler: Value for money, Rog.

Roger Bennett: City 1-0 up without midfield getting into game. Silva, Sinclair among the least touches in that first half. Yaya one man show.

James Tyler: HALF TIME: Manchester City 1, Arsenal 0. In a half of engaging counter-attacks and measured passing, the solitary goal comes from something so uncouth. A header from a set piece.

James Tyler: Yep, Mike Dean has seen enough.

James Tyler: 10 seconds of the first half remaining.

James Tyler: Because we're in a world of instantaneous blame culture, I'll point the finger at Mannone for coming out to punch the corner and missing by an embarrassing margin.

James Tyler: Gervinho does well to get past Clichy in the corner. He finds Diaby in the box but he neglects to shoot. Ball is worked out of the box and around again. Yaya Toure eventually stops the mayhem.

James Tyler: Arsenal with some pressure. Cazorla's blocked pass for Gibbs comes back to him, but his curled shot is wide.

James Tyler: Defense was backpedaling and no-one could cover Dzeko. City had more numbers on the edge of the box.

James Tyler: Definitely a front-runner for the Nasal Champions League, Charlie.

James Tyler: Chance for City! In defensive disarray, Dzeko forces a fine save from Mannone. City corner.

James Tyler: Will that enliven the Gunners or cause them to crumble?

Roger Bennett: LAMPOST!

James Tyler: WHAT WOULD BOULD DO? Headbutt Lescott, probably. But it would have prevented the goal, surely.

Roger Bennett: harsh on salmons that JT

James Tyler: Lescott rises like a salmon to nod home the corner. Mannone miles off his line and fails to punch it clear.

Roger Bennett: Steve Bould will not like that...

James Tyler: An absolute nothing goal. From nowhere.

Roger Bennett: That is what champions do...

James Tyler: GOAL FOR CITY

James Tyler: Arteta fouled. I should have that on my CTRL+V.

Roger Bennett: Am sure AVB, being such a man motivator, knew to speak to Clint only in hip hop rhymes

Roger Bennett: Dempsey not quite the powerpoint type. Full on Bass Master

James Tyler: Arsenal with another barnstorming team attack that's ended by Gervinho. Again.

Roger Bennett: City look best when the ball is at Gervinho's feet

James Tyler: You're thinking of Juventus, Joe. Who are still thriving, amazingly.

James Tyler: There's your Spurs update. They're losing to QPR. #ClubInCrisis

Roger Bennett: Gervinho-esque is mine.

James Tyler: Meanwhile, Nick, think of Jack Wilshere. He practiced this week for the first time in 14 MONTHS.

Roger Bennett: Second Toure shot aimed right at Arteta's head. This time it's personal

James Tyler: Yes, but while LFC dumped Andy Carroll, Milan rid themselves of Ibra and Thiago Silva.

James Tyler: It's Cazorla with the right-footed curler. Hart sees it the whole way and smothers it.

James Tyler: Arsenal free-kick some 30 yards from goal and dead center. Three Gunners hover over it. Podolski, Arteta and Cazorla.

Roger Bennett: Hodgman and Dall? Tuesday night gin rummy game they have

James Tyler: HALSEY AGREES.

Roger Bennett: Tough to have so much pressure right now. I would be elated if I was a Liverpool fan. Adore this spirit and his threat. But too much expectation on a young man's shoulders right now

James Tyler: I'm in love? Already ordered a Sterling wallbanger?

James Tyler: Ramsey fouled by Kompany in midfield. Bit sloppy.

James Tyler: Meanwhile, I'm sporting a pizza-stained Liverpool '05 shirt.

James Tyler: Only the most dapper make it on the London ESPN desk, Rog.

Roger Bennett: James Dall looks like John Hodgman

James Tyler: Gunners corner amounts to nothing.

James Tyler: Rog, if only I could see your face as you're typing that.

James Tyler: Right. Arsenal corner.

Roger Bennett: None.

Roger Bennett: JT please note: I take no pleasure in Liverpool's demise.

James Tyler: No score at White Hart Lane. Newcastle still 1-0 up on Norwich with 20 mins to play.

James Tyler: Me neither, Rog. Me neither. KEEP LAUGHING AT LIVERPOOL, YOU NOT-VERY-NICE-PEOPLE.

James Tyler: Arsenal counter-attack ends with a Gunners throw-in.

Roger Bennett: I never tire of that kind of fake post gag.

James Tyler: Hasley?

James Tyler: #Analysis

James Tyler: It's no contest, Skyler, for me. I won't say in which direction.

James Tyler: Chance for Arsenal! Cazorla with a lovely ball through for Gervinho, in behind Clichy, only the Ivorian fluffs on taking the shot. Clichy's ankle-tap put him off. No PK. Ball cleared.

James Tyler: Because he's a French defender?

James Tyler: Someone should take Jonjo's iPhone away for a bit.

James Tyler: Yeah, YC could have easily been given. I bet Mark Halsey would have sent him off. #RefereeJoke

Roger Bennett: @shelveyJ: I have also apologised to sir Alex , just where I come from people don't grass people up to get someone sent off

James Tyler: Arteta and Gibbs combine, ball's lofted into the box for Ramsey but the Welshman's soft header is cradled by Hart.

James Tyler: That's a quality reference, Pog.

James Tyler: City corner is intended for Lescott but Gervinho clears it. Santi Cazorla is then barged down by Zabaleta to prevent a Gunners counter-attack.

Roger Bennett: Gibbs heat map will be final-third heavy

James Tyler: Perhaps, Mark, but Wenger needs to tell Olivier that this is still Ligue 1 and he's playing Le Havre. That seems to be the key to inspiring Giroud.

James Tyler: Magic Spray.

James Tyler: Chance for Arsenal! Superb run by Jenkinson down the right flank ends with a cutback for Lukas Podolski, only the German batters it first-time into the crowd. That'll show 'em.

Roger Bennett: Podolski's shot was "Gervinho-esque"

James Tyler: Dzeko's cross grazes Koscielny's arm. Crowd begs for handball. Ref Mike Dean says no.

James Tyler: Now, then. 23 mins in at the Etihad. Mertesacker punts into touch to prevent Dzeko from bearing down on goal.

James Tyler: Just to make things *really* interesting.

James Tyler: None yet, Shyam. Given the depressing season narrative, I'm expecting a slew of torn ACLs.

Roger Bennett: He will come good this season. Admire him greatly. Kind of player who always believes he is going to score

James Tyler: Rog, I'm giving Jonjo an anti-red card.

James Tyler: Silva's tired. Or bored. Or both. A long summer, coupled with the pressure of supplying City's every goalscoring opportunity, is wearing on his lithe frame.

Roger Bennett: @shelveyJ
I apologise to the fans for getting sent off but no way was I pulling out of that tackle in a game of that importance. Im sorry.

James Tyler: We've been tracking this for a while, dendrobiem.

James Tyler: Now, then. Arsenal back on the attack. Yaya Toure ever-present in shutting it down. He goes on a rampage but is felled by Abou Diaby just inside the City half.

James Tyler: However, Martin Skrtel has no such excuse.

James Tyler: Indeed. Alopecia.

James Tyler: Good challenge on David Silva to prevent the Spaniard getting free inside the Arsenal area. Mertesacker looks sharp thus far. Which is perhaps the most shocking thing about this season to date.

Roger Bennett: Shelvey. Most radical haircut in football. Very few clean shaved elite players. Bold move.

James Tyler: Show of hands: how many have preordered the new football game?

James Tyler: Ben, I'd argue that Raheem Sterling's emerging fauxhawk would disagree. That and we have a fine assortment of fiery baldies at Anfield.

Roger Bennett: Alex. more comments like that and you could find yourself coaching Liverpool

James Tyler: Promising for Arsenal again... Gibbs free down the left but his cross for Gervinho is overhit.

Roger Bennett: Yes. Autocorrect.

James Tyler: It was indeed. Tyler correct, Bennett horribly wrong. For shame, Rog.

Roger Bennett: What a ball from Cazorla though. Love watching him play. He operates with such joy.

James Tyler: Chance for Arsenal! Gervinho played clean through by Ramsey but his first touch looks like a well-weighted backpass to Joe Hart, one that the City keeper takes calmly.

Roger Bennett: Gervino. World class terrible touch

James Tyler: City turning up the heat a bit following the set piece but Carl "Yes, I Still Start For Arsenal" Jenkinson is on hand to hoof it downfield.

James Tyler: Still, point taken.

James Tyler: I prefer to make limoncello, Matt. Because it's intoxicating.

Roger Bennett: Travelocity paid for the sponsorship Guerilla marketing.

James Tyler: Chance for City! Aguero's first run down the left. He cuts infield and uncorks a shot from the edge of the box. Plenty of power. Good save by Mannone to his left.

Roger Bennett: Deranged.

James Tyler: Dapper, but disgruntled.

James Tyler: More Arsenal pressure. Arteta spins off Yaya Toure and chips it wide for Gibbs. Only the left-back, onside behind the City defense, crosses it first-time instead of shooting. City clear it.

Roger Bennett: Odd decision by Gibbs there. Great run.

James Tyler: 8%

Roger Bennett: City playing as if they have not recovered from Fox Soccer's early technical problems

James Tyler: As I type that, Kompany steps in and breaks up the Arsenal rondo. Commits a foul.

James Tyler: 11 mins in at the Etihad and Arsenal is shading the early play. City not getting much pressure on the Gunners in possession.

James Tyler: Villa. Next!

James Tyler: My computer can't possibly compute such a question. I'll say 17%.

Roger Bennett: Odds on Nigel Adkins to be next in the Anfield hotseat?

James Tyler: Rodgers. Next!

James Tyler: Yaya Toure's first contribution is a shot from distance, one that Mikel Arteta blocks.

Roger Bennett: Things I would not like to be on the end of: A Yaya Toure strike of thunder.

James Tyler: Santi Cazorla has a pop from 25-ish yards. Low shot that Hart dives on.

James Tyler: City sitting very deep and seemingly content to let Arsenal knock it about deep in attacking territory.

James Tyler: Newcastle's still leading Norwich 1-0 in the second half. Spurs and QPR still scoreless after 6 mins.

Roger Bennett: Liverpool will always have Monopoly

James Tyler: My brain is too melted to try, Stu.

James Tyler: Ben is bringing the fire this morning!

James Tyler: Still, the Gunners are shading the early possession.

James Tyler: Lovely move by the Gunners down the left finds Gibbs in space, but his near-post low cross is picked off by Kompany.

James Tyler: Ben, I assume you're getting an A for this paper?

James Tyler: Ramsey's cross intended for Gervinho is plucked out the sky by big Joe Hart.

James Tyler: Start Robin van Persie.

James Tyler: I'm assuming City fans are still in bed? A whopping 57% of voters think Arsenal will sneak a win.

Roger Bennett: Which Arsenal player will step up and claim the big money move to City> Diaby must be motivated today.

James Tyler: Aguero lays it off at the edge of the box to no-one in particular. Arsenal tries to break down the right wing via Gervinho but the pass for him is overhit. City defense tidies up.

Roger Bennett: Zero. Zero. Kenny Dalglish will come back. All will be fine

James Tyler: 0%. Next!

James Tyler: Three minutes in and both teams still locating their respective tempos.

James Tyler: Yeah, Arsenal lineup is a touch bizarre, but I think such fears will prove unfounded.

James Tyler: Lineups again for those late-comers:
Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Silva, Garcia, Yaya Toure, Sinclair; Dzeko, Aguero.
Subs: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Nastasic, Barry, Rodwell, Tevez, Balotelli

Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Diaby, Arteta, Ramsey; Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski.
Subs: Martinez, Djourou, Santos, Coquelin, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.

James Tyler: Right, game on!

James Tyler: I can't even, guest. We'll have plenty of time for rending of flesh and gnashing of teeth after this game. I promised myself I would focus fully on the task at hand. So far, Super Sunday has me Super Exhausted.

Roger Bennett: Trying to think of a prediction. This game is in CNN lingo too close to call... An Arsenal win will be massive. They have beaten poor teams. This would be a huge statement. City poor thus far. 1-1.

Roger Bennett: I am not bullish on Anichebe. He has made the most of his opportunity this season but he is not a reliable premier league striker. Dzeko an enigma. Jonathan Wilson had a great line about him: he cant tell if he is a great striker with terrible moments or a terrible striker with great moments. Big game for him. Massive vote of confidence. Will he deliver?

Roger Bennett: Barry and Robyn? The Gibbs. One of the most underrated trios of all time.

James Tyler: ^ that is a GREAT DESCRIPTION, John. I'm stealing it.

Roger Bennett: Charity.

James Tyler: I'll go with 3-2 City. Why not.

James Tyler: I am not even going to attempt to predict the score. As good as Arsenal is looking lately, it's still Arsenal!

Roger Bennett: How do you feel about City's tactical decision to wear track suit tops to walk out in? They will be wearing tear off pants next.

James Tyler: Yeah, he drifts in and out of games but I think he's as clinical a finisher as City has.

James Tyler: I like Dzeko in this situation.

Roger Bennett: JT. How do you feel about the options at striker. no Vermaelen. Will Dzeko's erratic physicality be an asset?

Roger Bennett: There is a lot of backroom intrigue at City. And the teams he fields seem to be directed at showing what gaps he needs filled going forward. Having said that... some of City's incoming transfers last window were headscratchers. esp Maicon and Rodwell. Sinclair must prove today he is a tick in the asset column.

Roger Bennett: JT. I have felt at times that Mancini is both trying to defend the EPL title and jostle for political control of the club vs Brian Marwood ahead of January transfer window.

James Tyler: Thank you, Justin. I hereby remove you from the doghouse.

James Tyler: We'll try our best, Mitchell.

James Tyler: Rog, I don't get what Mancini is playing at. So much tinkering! That said, when you have a squad that stocked and in need of minutes, is it any wonder?

James Tyler: And by business, I mean "creating a Halsey voodoo doll."

James Tyler: We won't do that either, Jack. Just getting settled. Very little time between these insane games to handle business!

Roger Bennett: Sinclair an interesting selection for Mancini. City desperately need him to make an impression. Devoid of intelligence in final third this season.

James Tyler: NOT NOW, JUSTIN.

James Tyler: With Aguero back, I'd say you're hoping for something unlikely.

James Tyler: Seems to me that it's a 4-3-3 battle once more.

Roger Bennett: That is the key battle JT. Where Yaya plays today will be key. City will hope to have him as far forward as possible. Arsenal will pray they can drive him back

James Tyler: Failing that, I suspect the midfield trio of Ramsey, Arteta and Diaby simply sit on one another's shoulders and attempt to wrestle Yaya Toure to the ground.

James Tyler: A ploy to control possession, I suspect. Or at least hope for control.

Roger Bennett: Gervino scored against weak opposition... will the low confidence City backline allow him to continue the streak?

James Tyler: I present Arsenal fan yin/yang in two comments:

James Tyler: I don't even think Mr. and Mrs. Gervinho can grasp what their son is doing.

James Tyler: Positives for City: Aguero is back!
Negatives for City: Balotelli is unhappy.

James Tyler: I still can't quite believe how the morning has gone. Oh well.

James Tyler: LINEUPS:
Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Silva, Garcia, Yaya Toure, Sinclair; Dzeko, Aguero.
Subs: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Nastasic, Barry, Rodwell, Tevez, Balotelli

Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Diaby, Arteta, Ramsey; Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski.
Subs: Martinez, Djourou, Santos, Coquelin, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.

Roger Bennett: Where your team is still poised to win the league

Roger Bennett: Lets Just Not. You will always have BEING LIVERPOOL.

James Tyler: I'm trying not to, Rog.

Roger Bennett: JT. Lets NOT TALK ABOUT IT!!!

James Tyler: If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen the entire gamut of emotions this morning. As such, I must focus on what we're here to talk about: City vs. Arsenal.

James Tyler: Clearly a dull morning with no talking points whatsoever, eh?

James Tyler: Morning, all! Did I miss anything?