Beijing, Jul 28: Premier League champions Manchester City beat rivals Arsenal 2-0 in a pre-season friendly match at the Bird's Nest Stadium in China on Friday.

City right-back Pablo Zabaleta and midfielder Yaya Toure got on the scoresheet in the space of two minutes. Toure took charge of the proceedings as the Gunners failed to close in gaps. The former Barcelona man provided a short cheeky pass to Zabaleta who slotted home a cool finish.

The provider turned goalscorer a few minutes later as Sergio Aguero turned Aleksander Kolarov's cross into the path of Toure who poked in from close range after narrowly missing the offside trap.

The Gunners started off well with plenty scoring opportunities through Gervinho and Theo Walcott. The second half witnessed many changes from both sides but Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the post twice with one shot. The young England international was Arsenal's only hope for a comeback.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger opted for an experienced squad, only with a notable absentee Robin van Persie, who was left back in London amid huge speculation regarding his future.

Although Wenger played most of the senior players, City swept past their Premier League rivals with ease on a rainy afternoon in Beijing. The 19-point gap between the teams last season is not likely to be closed soon enough after City outplayed the Gunners.

City's dominance proved heavy for Arsenal as they were restricted to only a few chances from Theo Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot.

City striker Carlos Tevez's brilliant could have made it three on the 70th minute when the Argentine tried to lay a chip to national teammate Aguero, but the pass ended on the wrong side of the post.

City's Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon was in good form to deny Arsenal's attack and whenever he missed, the post came to the Blues rescue.

But the game lost its Premier League touch as rain poured in making conditions slippery. However, most of the 52,000 spectators present in the stadium were seen wearing Arsenal's replica shirts while there were only a few City supporters.

OneIndia News