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

Pep - City 'cannot deny' importance of Arsenal game

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 vs Arsenal

• Man City demolish Arsenal in a Premier League title decider to move within two points of the leaders
• Arsenal’s humiliation proves the title race was only an illusion
• 90+5’ GOAL! - Haaland gets his goal with the last kick of the game (MCI 4-1 ARS)
• 86 GOAL! - Holding scores a consolation for Arsenal (MCI 3-1 ARS)
• 54’ GOAL! - De Bruyne and Haaland combine to earn City’s third (MCI 3-0 ARS)
• 45+1 GOAL! - Stones nods in a De Bruyne free kick to double City’s lead (MCI 2-0 ARS)
• 30’ SAVE! - Ramsdale keeps out Haaland’s effort from close range (MCI 1-0 ARS)
• 27’ BLOCK! - White gets in front of De Bruyne’s effort (MCI 1-0 ARS)
• 22’ SHOT! - Bernardo forces Ramsdale into a low save from the right side of the box (MCI 1-0 ARS)
• 7’ GOAL! - De Bruyne sends City in front with a lovely curling shot (MCI 1-0 ARS)

[26 April 2023 21:54 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-1 Arsenal

90+2 mins: In a surprise to no-one watching the game tonight, Kevin De Bruyne has been awarded the player of the match. His link up play with Erling Haaland was exceptional and his two goals helped City move one step closer to the Premier League title.

[26 April 2023 21:53 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-1 Arsenal

90 mins: Five minutes of stoppage time to play at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are going to win the game but will their be another goal?

[26 April 2023 21:50 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-1 Arsenal

88 mins: Jack Grealish is taken off by Pep Guardiola with Phil Foden intriduced for the final few minutes of the 90 plus stoppage time.

Can Arsenal score again?

[26 April 2023 21:49 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! Man City 3-1 Arsenal (Holding, 86’)⚽️

86 mins: There’s still a chance for Arsenal.

They play a corner short and send the ball back across to Leandro Trossard. He dribbles into the box before laying it off to Rob Holding whose first time shot fizzes past Ederson to get the Gunners a goal.

[26 April 2023 21:47 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-0 Arsenal

84 mins: Eddie Nketiah almost conjures up something for Arsenal after Reiss Nelson picks him out. The forward fires a shot that across goal and past the far post.

[26 April 2023 21:43 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-0 Arsenal

81 mins: Kevin De Bruyne gets a warm and loud round of applause from the Manchester City fans as he walks off the pitch with allow Julian Alvarez a few minutes.

All City’s substitutions bring on more attacking players. Their squad depth is unreal.

[26 April 2023 21:42 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-0 Arsenal

78 mins: An Arsenal free kick about 25 yards out from goal sees Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka standing over the ball. It’s Saka who shoots but he belts the effort over the crossbar.

Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah come on for Arsenal replacing Gabriel Jesus and Saka.

[26 April 2023 21:40 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-0 Arsenal

75 mins: Manuel Akanji wants in on the action too. He releases the ball over to Jack Grealish from his position in midfield then drives into the penalty area.

Grealish flicks the ball into his feet and the defender decides to pull it back instead of taking a shot. His pass is intercepted and Arsenal clear their lines.

[26 April 2023 21:34 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-0 Arsenal

72 mins: Thomas Partey and John Stones come together in the middle of the pitch were Stones is caught on the head by the Arsenal man and wins the home side a free kick.

[26 April 2023 21:33 · Mike Jones]

Man City 3-0 Arsenal

69 mins: Pep Guardiola goes to the bench now and takes off the captain Ilkay Gundogan to bring on Riyad Mahrez. Mahrez banged in a hat-trick at the weekend and will want to score more tonight.

Emile Smith Rowe is back in an Arsenal shirt too, he’s on for Martin Odegaard.