Manchester City beats Arsenal 2-0 in Beijing
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Premier League champion Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 on Friday in a pre-season played in a downpour at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium.
Pablo Zabaleta opened the scoring in the 40th minute and Yaya Toure found the net three minutes later.
Arsenal was without Robin van Persie, its captain and top scorer last season with 37 goals in all competitions. The Dutch striker, who said earlier this month that he would not extend his current contract, has been linked with a move to either City, its local rival Manchester United or Juventus next season.
The match was played in the main 2008 Beijing Games stadium on the day of the London Olympics' opening ceremony.
City begins its title defense at home to newly-promoted Southampton on Aug. 19, while Arsenal hosts Sunderland.