Man City vs Arsenal LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League title decider as City thump Gunners
Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal: Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in a star performance before Erling Haaland sealed the rout in a huge blow to the Gunners’ title hopes
Champions Manchester City produced a stunning performance to seize complete control of the Premier League title race with a devastating 4-1 win over leaders Arsenal.
Kevin De Bruyne struck twice with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium as City delivered a potentially decisive blow to the Gunners’ hopes of lifting the crown.
Arsenal claimed a late reply through Rob Holding but treble-chasing City had long since asserted their dominance and Haaland wrapped up the contest with his 49th goal of the season in stoppage time.
The result lifted Pep Guardiola’s men to within two points of the Londoners at the top of the table and, with two games in hand, they are now strong favourites to land their fifth title in six years.
Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta simply had no answer to the pace, strength and determination of the hosts, who were at their ruthless best and powered to their 12th win in their last 13 games in all competitions.
Follow all the reaction as Man City closed in on the Premier League title
Man City 3-0 Arsenal
66 mins: The Arsenal fans inside the Etihad look dejected now. Their team has been played off the pitch tonight and it looks as though the Premier League title is slipping away too.
If the Gunners can score though things may just get interesting again.
Man City 3-0 Arsenal
63 mins: Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli are the two men who’ve gone off for Arsenal with Trossard and Jorginho brought on.
As it stands Manchester City will draw within two points of Arsenal in the table and have two games in hand on Mikel Arteta’s men.
Man City 3-0 Arsenal
60 mins: Bukayo Saka attempts to weave into the box from the right wing but loses control of the ball and City work it clear.
Leandro Trossard has been introduced for the Gunners.
Man City 3-0 Arsenal
57 mins: This could get messy for Arsenal now. Manchester City look as though they can score whenever the like and it’s been a really tough night for Holding and Gabriel.
The City fans are celebrating as though they’ve already won the league.
GOAL! Man City 3-0 Arsenal (De Bruyne, 54’)⚽️
54 mins: Game over! Arsenal have not been able to cope with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
Martin Odegaard gives the ball away to De Bruyne who prods it up to Haaland. He takes on the defenders, runs into the box and squares it back to the playmaker who guides it into the far bottom corner.
Lovely goal.
Man City 2-0 Arsenal
51 mins: Oleksandr Zinchenko tries to get around the back of Kyle Walker but doesn’t have the pace. The City right-back holds him off and Zinchenko runs out of space to operate.
He’s at least trying to get Arsenal up the pitch which is a positive sign.
Man City 2-0 Arsenal
48 mins: City’s lead means they can ease off the gas in terms of tempo and take their time probing Arsenal’s defence. The Gunners need to do the opposite.
They have to play fast paced football, passing quickly and trying to get City on the back foot.
Second half: Man City 2-0 Arsenal
Manchester City get the match back underway and look for a quick start to the second half as the ball comes over to Kevin De Bruyne in the box.
He attempts a volley but misses his kick and the ball goes rolling out of play.
HT Man City 2-0 Arsenal
How will Arsenal respond in the second half? Mikel Arteta needs to change things up as his team is being outclassed. Whether that’s the tactics or the personnel but the Arsenal boss has to try and upset City’s mojo.
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