Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Gunners Keep Their Title Dreams Alive?

In what was a heavyweight showdown from north London on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal kept their title dreams alive as they secured a sensational 5-1 romp against Manchester City.

Getting Sunday’s contest underway sat nine points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool, the Gunners came flying out of the traps as skipper Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the first two minuets following Manuel Akanji’s early mistake.

While Kai Havertz might have squandered a wonderful chance to double Arsenal’s advantage, Mikel Arteta’s camp created a string of golden opportunities on either side of the half-time break.

Although Erling Haaland might have dragged Man City level 10 minutes after the restart as the Norwegian record-breaker bagged a 19th Premier League goal of the season, their lead lasted just a matter of seconds.

With Thomas Partey’s deflected effort finding a way past Stefan Ortega, the Gunners wrapped up maximum points after 62 minutes as 18-year-old sensation Myles-Lewis Skelly powered home to notch a first Premier League goal.

Backed by a vocal home support in north London, things only got better for the title chasers as Havertz and 17-year-old academy star Ethan Nwaneri completed a famous victory.

As for the defending champions, completely blown away at the Emirates and cutting a frustrated figure at the full-time whistle, the Sky Blues were once again at their inconsistent worst here.

On an afternoon when Arsenal kept their title dreams alive, we have taken a look at the key talking points from north London.

Arsenal show they will keep fighting until the end

Getting Sunday’s heavyweight battle underway sat nine points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool, it certainly felt that Arsenal’s fading title dreams were hanging in the balance in north London.

Watching their FA Cup adventure come to a shock end against historic rivals Manchester United on January 12th, the Gunners had a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here.

Nevertheless, while Arteta’s squad might have a real battle on their hands in the race to dethrone Liverpool and claim a first Premier League crown since 2004, Arsenal are enjoying what has become a real flurry.

Officially wrapping up their Champions League top-eight finish on Wednesday night as they claimed a 2-1 victory away at Spanish side Girona, Arsenal have now won each of their previous four appearances across all competitions.

Showing no signs of a hangover since their collapse against Aston Villa on January 18th, Arteta’s side will be next seen on Wednesday when they travel to St. James’ Park for their EFL Cup semi-final return leg.

Defensive issues continue to haunt City

While Manchester City might have found a real clinical edge since opening the New Year, there is no doubt that Guardiola will have a major headache over his side’s glaring defensive issues.

Although England international John Stones might have returned at the heart of City’s defence on Sunday afternoon, it was very much a similar story for Guardiola’s struggling back line.

Despite mounting an essential comeback at the Etihad earlier in the week as they avoided an infamous Champions League exit, it feels like City have largely been papering over the cracks.

Now recording just a trio of clean sheets from any of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions, they have also conceded 35 Premier League goals so far this season and only one club in the top-half of the table holds a worse defensive tally.

Suffering a major European collapse over in Paris last month as they fell to a 4-2 drumming at the hands of PSG, Guadriola will be desperately searching for a way to plug his incredibly leaky defence.

The Gunners have found their clinical edge

Watching former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus suffer a season-ending knee injury last month, it appeared an almost certainly that Arsenal would be keen on adding a new attacking option before the January transfer window slams shut on Monday night.

However, while attacking superstar Bukayo Saka might still remain on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a hamstring issue last month, it appears that Arteta is content with his current options.

With Haverz once again deployed in a false nine role on here, the Gunners carved City open here and Arteta will be thrilled with his side’s recent clinical performances in the final third.

Getting the New Year underway with a 3-1 victory away at London rivals Brentford, Arsenal have now bagged 20 goals across all competitions so far in 2025.

Likewise, despite being unable to call upon plenty of their attacking stars due to respective injury issues, Sunday’s hosts have recorded at least a pair of goals in five of their previous six appearances.

Match Report

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

Subs: Merino, Sterling, Nwaneri, Calafiori

Manchester City: Ortega, Nunes, Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Silva, Foden, Marmoush, Savio, Haaland

Subs: De Bruyne, McAtee

Goals: Arsenal: Odegaard (2’), Partey (56’), Lewis-Skelly (62’), Havertz (76’), Nwaneri (90+3’) – Manchester City: Haaland (55’)

Yellow Cards: Timber, Odegaard

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Peter Banks