Arsenal mock rivals Man City and spark Premier League title race into life with statement result - reaction
Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City: The Gunners ran riot against the champions to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top
Arsenal sparked their Premier League title challenge back into life by trashing rivals Manchester City in a heated 5-1 win that saw the Gunners earn revenge against the champions.
Tensions between the teams were high after September’s 2-2 draw between the teams but Arsenal earned a statement victory against Pep Guardiola's side, who had pipped them to the title in the last two seasons.
Goals from teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri ensured a triumphant victory for Mikel Arteta’s side, after Martin Odegaard fired Arsenal in front inside two minutes.
Erling Haaland equalised in the second half but Arsenal restored their advantage within 38 seconds off the restart as Thomas Partey’s strike deflected in off John Stones.
Lewis-Skelly added the third minutes later with his first Arsenal goal, before appearing to mock Haaland by copying his trademark “Zen” celebration.
Kai Havertz made it four, making up for his earlier miss, before Nwaneri came off the bench to complete the demolition of the champions and cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table.
Follow all the updates from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
Why Arsenal vs Man City is the Premier League’s most bitter rivalry
If the Arsenal and Manchester City squads are readying themselves for “war” on Sunday, the mood isn’t that different off the pitch. There are few polite niceties there. This is probably the club relationship with the deepest animosity in the Premier League, and even worse than some notorious rivalries from the past.
September’s 2-2 draw had more fallout than any other match this season so far, and that’s despite this campaign’s many refereeing controversies. One official at a rival club even marvelled at how the fallout had gone into “day six”. That 2-2 had opprobrium about referees and much more, including a farrago over footage of Arsenal executive vice-chair Tim Lewis leaving his seat without shaking hands with City counterparts. There was some irritation about that in north London, especially since they feel City’s senior figures don’t always welcome them.
Arsenal, Man City and the Premier League’s most bitter rivalry
Arsenal line-up to face Man City
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli
Man City line-up to face Arsenal
Man City XI: Ortega, Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland
Team news
The line-ups should be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
David Raya is classed as a doubt after missing Arsenal’s Champions League win over Girona in midweek. The continued absence of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jeusus could give Ethan Nwaneri a chance to start against the champions, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is available after his red card against Wolves was overturned following an appeal.
Pep Guardiola can use his new signings, including Omar Marmoush, after they were ineligible in the Champions League in midweek. While City have no new injury absences, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Rodri remain out but John Stones is fit to feature and Oscar Bobb could return.
Match facts
Arsenal can extend their unbeaten run to 14 Premier League games, which would be their best run under Mikel Arteta. They last went 14 top-flight games undefeated between August and December 2018 when Unai Emery was in charge.
City are vying to win consecutive away league matches for the first time since August.
Pep Guardiola understands Erling Haaland’s reaction at end of last Arsenal clash
Pep Guardiola accepts Erling Haaland’s emotions may have got the better of him in Manchester City’s heated clash with Arsenal last September.
But the City manager insists it was a rare lapse from a player who continually rises above persistent attempts by opponents to unsettle him.
City striker Haaland was involved in a long-running battle with Gunners defender Gabriel in the 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium and tensions boiled over after John Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser.
Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head and there were further angry scenes after the final whistle. The Norwegian told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” amid the fiery exchanges.
Pep Guardiola understands Erling Haaland’s reaction at end of last Arsenal clash
Mikel Arteta says he has moved on from Erling Haaland dispute
Mikel Arteta said his dispute with Erling Haaland “stays on the pitch” as Arsenal prepare to renew their rivalry with Manchester City at the Emirates.
The last meeting between the sides in September ended in explosive fashion, with Haaland launching a ball at Gabriel’s head before telling Arteta to “stay humble” as players and staff from both sides clashed at the full-time whistle.
But when asked about Haaland’s comment ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture, Arteta said: “I don’t take anything personally with what happens on the pitch.
Mikel Arteta says he has moved on from Erling Haaland dispute
Match facts
Manchester City won 12 consecutive Premier League games against Arsenal between 2017 and 2023 but are winless in the subsequent three meetings (D2, L1).
The Gunners are vying to record back-to-back home league wins against City for the first time since a run of four victories between October 2005 and April 2009.
Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa
On a reported Arsenal target...
Unai Emery insists Ollie Watkins is happy to stay at Aston Villa, who are reportedly considering a loan move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.
Villa turned down a bid from Arsenal for England striker Watkins earlier this week, reported to be in the region of £60million.
And according to reports, Villa are interested in bringing in out-of-favour Rashford on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa
Arsenal battling Man Utd for Mathys Tel but face one stumbling block for Bayern star
Arsenal and Manchester United are investigating a move for Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel, with his desire to leave the Bundesliga side causing a flurry of activity that has also seen Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur declare their interest.
A significant issue that the Gunners must overcome is whether a loan with an option to buy is possible. Fewer clubs would be interested if it is just a loan without an option to buy.
Meanwhile, United would need to spin plates financially in order to make the move happen but they are one of Tel’s preferred options. He is understood to only want to go to a club where he will be guaranteed a certain number of minutes and who can offer him the most football may well decide his ultimate destination.
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