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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

Miguel Delaney
at the Emirates
,Chris Wilson,Jamie Braidwood
Sunday 02 February 2025 21:07 GMT
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Pep Guardiola says Haaland will control his emotions as striker prepares to face Gabriel in Arsenal clash

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:

Arsenal 1-0 Man City

17 mins

Trossard tries a clever reverse pass into the path of Martinelli, but Ortega is off his line well to collect.

Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:48

Arsenal 1-0 Man City

15 mins

Trossard does well down the left and thinks he’s drawn a foul near the box – he was right, but the referee has missed it.

The chance ends as Gabriel swings in a cross which is easily cleared.

Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:46

Arsenal 1-0 Man City

13 mins

We’ve not had a lot of attacking action since the disallowed effort from Martinelli, with both sides looking understandably cautious over the last few minutes.

Savinho is penalised for a late challenge on Havertz and Arsenal have the chance to reset.

Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:44

Arsenal 1-0 Man City

11 mins

Arsenal have been happy to go long when needed so far, putting plenty of pressure on the full-backs when they do. It’s been a disciplined performance from the hosts up to now.

2 February 2025 16:42

Arsenal 1-0 Man City

8 mins

City are looking settled in possession but the play is lacking penetration at the moment.

Arsenal are happy to sit back and let the visitors have it for now, as Nunes is penalised for being offside.

2 February 2025 16:39

DISALLOWED GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Man City

6 mins

it’s been al Arsenal since the goal and they think they have a second as Odegaard threads a brilliant pass to Martinelli, but the Brazilian had strayed offside before producing an excellent chipped finish.

2 February 2025 16:37

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Man City

2 mins

GOAL! The hosts are ahead already!

It’s a nightmare start for City as Stones fires a poor pass into Akanji, who gets it stuck under his feet.

He’s under pressure and he’s dispossessed, with the ball coming to Rice, who rolls it to an unmarked Havertz in the box. He takes his time, luring in Ortega before squaring it to Odegaard, who taps into an empty net.

(Action Images via Reuters)
Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:35

Arsenal 0-0 Man City

1 min

An early sight of goal for the hosts as they briefly get in behind the visiting defence, but Havertz fires straight at Ederson.

Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:32

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Man City

The visitors get us underway in north London.

Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:31

Arsenal vs Man City LIVE

Both sides are in the tunnel at the Emirates now, so we’ll be underway soon.

Chris Wilson2 February 2025 16:26

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