Arsenal put on a stunning display at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, demolishing Manchester City 5-1 to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
With the title race hanging in the balance, Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a statement performance, keeping their slim hopes alive after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth had pushed them nine points clear on Saturday.
The Gunners wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Martin Ødegaard firing them ahead just 103 seconds into the match.
City struggled to contain Arsenal’s early intensity, and though Erling Haaland pulled the visitors level early in the second half with his 25th goal of the season, it wasn’t enough to halt the Gunners’ surge.
The pivotal moment came when a careless pass from Phil Foden allowed Thomas Partey to pounce, restoring Arsenal’s lead in the 58th minute. From there, Arteta’s men showed no signs of slowing down.
Myles Lewis-Skelly marked his first-ever Arsenal goal with a well-timed strike, and late goals from Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri sealed a resounding victory.
The result extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 14 matches, boosting their confidence as they continue to chase down Liverpool.
While the Reds still hold a game in hand and remain firmly in control of the title race, Arsenal’s emphatic performance sent a message that they’re prepared to push them all the way.
In stark contrast, City’s hopes of a fifth consecutive Premier League title now look increasingly distant.
Pep Guardiola’s side, whose six-match unbeaten streak in the league was brought to a crashing halt, now face an uphill battle just to secure a top-four finish. Defensive frailties were once again exposed, and Guardiola will be left to reflect on what went wrong.
John Stones was recalled to the starting lineup in place of Abdukodir Khusanov, whose debut against Chelsea was disastrous.
However, Stones was culpable for Arsenal’s opener, with his risky pass intercepted by Leandro Trossard, who set up Ødegaard for a clinical finish from 10 yards out.
As City’s Champions League aspirations remain on a knife edge ahead of a daunting clash with Real Madrid, Guardiola faces a difficult task to rectify his team’s defensive issues and lack of midfield energy before the season draws to a close.
