Arsenal 5, Manchester City 1
Manchester City were handed a heavy defeat after going down 5-1 at Arsenal who were out for payback and got it in style.
And City boss Pep Guardiola made it clear that the final half hour of the game was “unacceptable“ after City threw away the game having fought to get back on terms early in the second half – it was the fourth time that City had conceded four goals in a Premier League game in a single season – the most in any campaign in his career.
It was a win that the Arsenal players were hugely fired up about after the events in the reverse fixture at the Etihad earlier in the season, and they worked hard to earn the revenge that they could throw back in Erling Haaland’s face after his “Stay Humble” taunt following John Stones’ last minute equaliser in that game.
Ailing City are now 15 points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand and they may have to concentrate on qualifying for the Champions League with a fourth or possibly fifth placed finish this season.
And with the transfer window closing tomorrow this game has shown that without an effective screen in midfield when Rodri is unavailable City are immensely gettable this season for any top half Premier League side.
City were without goalkeeper Ederson who missed out with a minor injury.
Stefan Ortega replaced him while Omar Marmoush replaced Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho came in for Ilkay Gundogan after his starring role against Club Brugge.
But City were behind after just two minutes when Manuel Akanji tried to pass his way out of the Arsenal press only to find his ball turned over and Kai Havertz laid on the final pass to Martin Odegaard to give the Gunners the lead.
Gabriel Martinelli thought he had doubled that lead but was flagged offside while Havertz later missed a sitter after Mateo Kovacic lost the ball as the warnings continued sounding for City.
David Raya also saved from Josko Gvardiol and the loose ball span away and off the post and also palmed away a deflected shot from Savinho.
City finally levelled the scores after 55 minutes when Savinho’s lofted right wing cross was met with a firm header by Erling Haaland.
City were only level for a matter of a minute though as Phil Foden passed a ball out of defence straight to Thomas Partey who put Arsenal back into the lead from 20 yards – his shot deflected off the back of the luckless John Stones.
And it was after the hour mark that City’s discipline and concentration deserted them.
City’s defending was dreadful as Myles Lewis-Skelly was unmarked and allowed to receive the ball on the turn before extending Arsenal’s lead to 3-1 after 62 minutes – his first senior goal for Arsenal and he sarcastically mimicked Haaland’s meditation celebration on the byline.
Guardiola was further infuriated after 68 minutes when the ball turned over again and it took a fine save from Ortega to keep Arsenal out.
But Arsenal were not being denied and after 76 minutes the break was on again and Havertz was allowed to atone for his earlier error with a left footed finish from 12 yards.
And the humiliation was complete deep into added time when 17 year old Ethan Nwanieri scored from the edge of the box – curling an effort inside the back post to beat Ortega.
Arsenal are now just 6 points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand while City remained 4th after the heavy defeat but could be overtaken by Chelsea in the last game of the weekend tomorrow.