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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Man City
The visitors get us underway in north London.
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