Arsenal 5-1 Man City: Match report & 4 talking points as Gunners humble reigning champions | OneFootball

Arsenal hammered rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, thrashing the dismal Cityzens 5-1 in north London

It took Arsenal just 104 seconds to take the lead at the Emirates Stadium as Martin Odegaard capitalised on a defensive error to fire the hosts in front. Had it not been for a glaring miss from Kai Havertz, City could have been two goals behind as the half-time whistle sounded in the capital.

But Arsenal's first-half profligacy mattered little after the break. Despite Erling Haaland briefly levelling for the visitors, second-half efforts from Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri guided the Gunners to an emphatic and memorable victory.

How the game unfolded

The reverse fixture in September produced chaos, fireworks and more than a splattering of bad blood, with Sunday's tantalising duel conjuring similar excitement within just two minutes. An error from Manuel Akanji gifted Arsenal possession deep in City territory and skipper Odegaard punished the mistake following Havertz's cut-back as the hosts raced into the lead.

Having seen Gabriel Martinelli denied by the offside flag after dinking over Stefan Ortega just three minutes after Arsenal's opener, City found themselves on a mission to merely contain their energetic hosts. They were proficient in doing exactly that as they took the sting out of a feisty affair, with Josko Gvardiol coming close to equalising midway through the half as David Raya expertly tipped his header on to the crossbar.

Just as City looked to be hitting their stride, another mistake provided Arsenal with a glorious chance to extend their advantage. This time Mateo Kovacic was dispossessed on the edge of his own penalty area by Declan Rice but the out-of-sorts Havertz, who had acres of time and space to pick his spot, inexplicably fired wide from 12 yards with the goal gaping.

City ended the first half on top as Raya was called into action once more following Savinho's deflected near-post drive and the reigning champions began the second period in control of the game's tempo.

It didn't take long for them to turn their territorial dominance into an equaliser, either. Having been anonymous throughout the first half it was Haaland who breached Arsenal's defence, rising above William Saliba and heading beyond Raya in the 55th minute.

But Arsenal responded with devastating speed as they retook the lead just a minute later, once again preying on some wayward City passing in their own third. Phil Foden was the guilty culprit on this occasion as his sideways ball was picked off by Partey, who subsequently thrashed an effort beyond Ortega with the help of a sizeable deflection off John Stones.

City have shown their capacity to self-destruct all too regularly this season and they suffered another bruising implosion as Arsenal produced a quick-fire third. Lewis-Skelly was the architect of a nerve-easing strike, receiving the ball inside the penalty area before curling an effort into the far corner - Ortega's left palm not strong enough to rebuff the youngster's shot.

Arsenal were not quite done inflicting misery on the side that beat them to the previous two Premier League titles, however, with Havertz finally getting in on the act in the 76th minute. Redemption for missing a sitter in the first half, the German produced a clinical finish on this occasion to cap an excellent counter-attack, before Nwaneri rounded off the scoring with a similarly impressive strike in stoppage time.

The result lifts Arsenal back to within six points of league leaders Liverpool and sends a warning to the Reds, while City stay in fourth but sit nine points behind the second-placed Gunners.

Check out the Arsenal 5-1 Man City player ratings here.

Arsenal send title message to Liverpool

Arsenal were fantastic in big win over Man City / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Arsenal are still firm outsiders for this season's Premier League title but they delivered a warning to Liverpool on Sunday. Thrashing City has never been easier but the Gunners dazzled in a gargantuan victory over the reigning champions that keeps them in the race for top spot.

The north London outfit knew defeat would leave them nine points behind the Reds having played a game more than their title foes, but they showed few signs of nerves at the Emirates. Racing into the lead helped but they stayed calm even under spells of City pressure and following Haaland's equaliser.

Their second-half display proved far too much for City to handle and even Liverpool would have found it immensely difficult to deal with the speed, ferocity and ruthlessness of Mikel Arteta's side after the break. They were devastating in transition and largely perfect in defence as they frustrated their visitors, with a number of individuals starring with immense performances.

If Liverpool slip-up, Arsenal will be there.

Man City collapse...again

Man City shot themselves in the foot in the capital / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Pep Guardiola's side have become synonymous with collapses this season. They have surrendered a three-goal lead to Feyenoord, two-goal cushions to Brentford and Paris Saint-Germain, and have seldom looked comfortable defending their advantage when ahead.

For over half of Sunday's affair, City appeared within striking distance of Arsenal, and Haaland's equaliser seemed likely to set up a nervy grandstand finish at the Emirates. But once they quickly fell behind, it was a familiar tale of implosion from a team so mentally fragile at present.

More errors crept in and gaps opened as Arsenal took full advantage of their out-of-sorts opponents, leaving Guardiola with more questions to answer over the flimsiness of his side following a humbling second half.

Erling Haaland vs Gabriel: Part two

Another fiery battle between the pair / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Much was made of the feud between Haaland and Gabriel prior to kick-off, with the pair having traded blows at the Etihad Stadium during the enthralling 2-2 draw earlier this season. The Norwegian threw the ball at the Arsenal defender's head following John Stones' 98th minute equaliser, before proceeding to tell Mikel Arteta to "stay humble" after the whistle.

However, he made a miserable start to proceedings in the capital. Having already endured Gabriel celebrating in his face following Odegaard's second-minute opener, he entered half-time with just six touches and one accurate pass to his name, mustering zero shots and losing both of his duels, too.

While he did get his name on the scoresheet with a typically clinical header, he was similarly isolated and anonymous after Arsenal's quick-fire double took the game from City's grasp, and he struggled in battles with Saliba and Gabriel in the closing half-hour as the visitors waned.

Haaland had the fewest touches of any outfield starter after finishing up with just nine and he will be forced to eat humble pie as he was watched his side get torn to pieces.

Myles Lewis-Skelly stars in thrashing

The youngster scored Arsenal's third / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Lewis-Skelly has long been rated among Arsenal's most promising academy products but injuries have thrust him into the limelight this season. Adopting the left-back position, the 18-year-old has been a regular feature in the Gunners' backline.

The youngster, who is capable of playing in midfield as well, has produced increasingly eye-catching displays but saved his best in red for Sunday. His defensive work was exceptional - he made five recoveries, two clearances and wasn't dribbled past once - but it was his attacking endeavour that further endeared him to the home crowd.

Of course, his goal will be the main focus, a marauding run capped by an impressive finish - even if Ortega should have done better with the effort. But his regular bursts forward and confidence in general play were equally as enjoyable, with a deserved standing ovation echoing around the Emirates as he left the field late on.

Mimicking Haaland's meditation celebration following his second-half strike will certainly win the adoration of the Arsenal faithful.