Arsenal made a resounding statement of their title ambitions by dismantling reigning champions Manchester City with a stunning 5-1 victory. For Pep Guardiola’s side, it was a performance reminiscent of their struggles at the end of 2024, marked by defensive errors and a lack of attacking threat.

The nightmare began for City in just the 2nd minute, as a catastrophic mistake in possession led to a swift counterattack, finished off by Martin Ødegaard. Kai Havertz had a golden opportunity to double the lead before halftime but missed from a promising position.

The second half offered a glimmer of hope for City when Erling Haaland headed home to reduce the deficit, however Arsenal quickly responded with goals from Thomas Partey and Lewis-Skelly, the latter scoring his first-ever Premier League goal with a dazzling solo effort.

As the Arsenal fans chanted, “Are you watching, Liverpool?”, their team showed no signs of slowing down. Havertz redeemed himself with a clinical finish on the counterattack, and Ethan Nwaneri capped off the rout with a stunning long-range strike to make it 5-1.

With this win, Arsenal closed the gap on league leaders Liverpool to six points, though the Reds still have a game in hand against Everton.

2024-25, England - Premier League

Arsenal - Manchester City 5:1 (1:0)
Goals: Odegaard, 2 (1:0); Håland E., 55 (1:1); Partey T., 56 (2:1); Lewis-Skelly, 62 (3:1); Havertz, 76 (4:1); Nwaneri, 90 (5:1)

Arsenal: Raya; Saliba; Gabriel M.; Timber J.; Lewis-Skelly (Calafiori, 90); Partey T.; Odegaard (Merino, 84); Havertz (Sterling, 90); Rice; Martinelli; Trossard (Nwaneri, 84)
Bench: Neto; Tierney; Kiwior; Zinchenko; Jorginho
Yellow Cards: Timber J. 26; Odegaard 71

Manchester City: Ortega S.; Stones; Gvardiol; Akanji; Kovacic M.; Bernardo Silva; Matheus Nunes; Foden (Mcatee, 72); Sávio Moreira; Marmoush (De Bruyne, 72); Håland E.
Bench: Carson; Vitor Reis; Lewis R.; Khusanov; Grealish; Gundogan; O'Reilly