Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League for the first time since November when they overtook leaders Arsenal with a crucial victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The reigning champions turned on the power in the second half in the biggest game of the home season as Arsenal made individual mistakes pay the price.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s poor backpass allowed Kevin De Bruyne to finish past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after 24 minutes, but Arsenal equalized three minutes before half-time, with Bokaio Saka slotting past City goalkeeper Ederson’s Eddie Nketiah. scored a chance after fouling .
City, lacking spark in the early stages, improved after the break and had their own penalty against Erling Holland for offside before showing ruthlessness to punish Arsenal.
Gabriel lost possession to allow Bernardo Silva and Holland to deflect Jack Grealish after 72 minutes before they ended Arsenal’s hopes with 10 minutes remaining.
Inevitably, Holland was to score from De Bruyne’s pass to put City top on goal difference, having played a game more than Arsenal.
Man City strike is a telling blow
City have returned to the top of the Premier League after inflicting a devastating blow on the long-time leaders.
City, by their standards, have not hit the heights this season but now find themselves looking at Arsenal once again, although the Gunners have a game in hand.
Even so, City lacked their usual fluency in the first 45 minutes and Arsenal more than deserved to be on level terms at the break.
And yet, once they got through the gears in the second half, City posed enough of a threat to put Arsenal away and return to the position they have held in recent years.
City gratefully accepted Arsenal’s proffered gifts and once Grealish restored their lead – a touch off lucky Tomiyasu sent his shot past Ramsdale – it was game on.
Holland’s goal underlined City’s dominance and they wrapped up the win with ease, the celebration at the final whistle showing the importance of the result.
Arsenal must hold nerve
The defeat would be a bitter blow for Arsenal, as it was in front of their own supporters.
It continues a recent stumble that has seen them lose to City in the FA Cup and Everton in the league, a controversial draw against Brentford on Saturday and now another damaging defeat here.
Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta should not get too down on themselves, although the scale of the blow here cannot be underestimated in the context of the title race.
The Gunners were brilliant in the first 45 minutes but Tomiyasu’s poor backpass and Gabriel’s concession of possession were mistakes you can’t afford against this class of opposition.
Arsenal must regroup and realize they are still in contention for the Premier League title – but there is no escaping the fallout from this result.
