The Premier League champions were put to the sword as Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey also netted
Arsenal put rivals Manchester City to the sword with a seismic 5-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners tore apart the Premier League champions with a dominant performance which included three second-half strikes, allowing Mikel Arteta's side to close the gap on leaders Liverpool back to six points.
The hosts went ahead inside two minutes after catching City cold at the back. Manuel Akanji had his pocket picked by Leandro Trossard, and the loose ball was shifted on by Declan Rice into Kai Havertz. He cut it back selflessly for Martin Odegaard to convert and send an already fired up home crowd crazy. Arsenal had the ball in the net again soon after when Gabriel Martinelli dinked Stefan Ortega, but he was denied by the raising of the offside flag and the goal was chalked off immediately.
The first chance of note for City came midway through the first half when Josko Gvardiol nodded a corner towards goal, only for David Raya to thrust up an arm and tip it onto the crossbar, a save which brought a smattering of appreciative 'oohs' when later shown on the big screens. And with their next attack, Arsenal ought to have gone two up. Ortega sold Mateo Kovacic short with a pass from the back, allowing Rice to challenge and the ball to roll to Havertz, but with all the time in the world, the German dragged his shot from close-range wide.
Just after the break, City found a leveller. Savinho had plenty of time to swivel on the ball inside the 18-yard box, and his chipped cross found Erling Haaland, who ghosted ahead of William Saliba to head beyond Raya. However, Arsenal very quickly found themselves ahead again – within 38 seconds of kick-off, in fact – with Thomas Partey's strike from 20 yards taking a wicked deflection off of John Stones and dropping into the far corner.
The Gunners were purring and added their third through Myles Lewis-Skelly, who cut inside onto his weaker right foot and curled home with a strike too hot for Ortega to handle. The teenager then celebrated by mimicking Haaland's former zen celebration. Arsenal weren't done there, either, as City were unlocked at the end of a quick breakaway, with Martinelli teeing up Havertz to finish and atone for his earlier misgiving.
And in stoppage time, the Gunners found their fifth. Substitute Ethan Nwaneri cut inside from the right and let fly with an audacious strike from just outside the box, leaving Ortega helpless with a phenomenal hit.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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David Raya (7/10):
Thrown back into the starting line up despite being an injury doubt earlier this week, and boy did Arsenal need him. Came up with some extraordinary saves in the first half to keep his side ahead.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Booked for a late challenge on Savinho, though otherwise was solid enough to force the Brazilian away from the left flank.
William Saliba (6/10):
Stood his ground brilliantly until he somehow let Haaland evade him for City's equaliser. Regained that composure once Arsenal swiftly retook the lead.
Gabriel (7/10):
Enjoyed his duels with Haaland plenty, even screaming in his face early doors such was his confidence of coming out on top.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (9/10):
Absolutely incredible at both ends of the pitch. Never hid in a one-sided battle with a disappointing Foden before selling the sturdy Stones for his well-taken goal.
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Thomas Partey (8/10):
Swept up with a series of interceptions, ultimately taking the ball off Foden leading to his deflected goal.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Motored his way about the pitch without much resistance from City's flimsy midfielders. He set the tone with the aggressive pressing leading to Odegaard's opener.
Martin Odegaard (7/10):
Got the ball rolling with the early goal, though still doesn't look 100 percent in his actions or movement. Squandered a few chances to open City up in transition, though that seldom mattered in the end.
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Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Had the requisite pace and endeavour to drive at City, as best demonstrated by his run leading to Arsenal's fourth, but question marks will remain over his consistency.
Kai Havertz (7/10):
For the first hour of the game, Havertz looked certain to go down as the villain of the day given how shocking his miss in the first half was. Nevertheless, he worked hard for the cause and was eventually rewarded with a goal.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Linked play well and, perhaps crucially, knew when to divert attention to the gifted Lewis-Skelly coming infield.
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Ethan Nwaneri (8/10):
Replaced Trossard for the closing stages, capping off a great day with a wonderful goal.
Mikel Merino (N/A):
Came on for Odegaard late on.
Riccardo Calafiori (N/A):
Given a late run out in place of hero of the day Lewis-Skelly.
Raheem Sterling (N/A):
On for Havertz for a few minutes.
Mikel Arteta (8/10):
Haaland's goal aside, this was probably as emphatic performance as he could have hoped for against former teacher Guardiola.