Report and free match highlights as Arsenal’s title dream was dealt a huge blow by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Kevin De Bruyne scored two with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on target in a 4-1 win that moves City within two points with two games in hand
Thursday 27 April 2023 09:49, UK
Magnificent Manchester City dealt a crushing blow to Arsenal’s Premier League dream with a 4-1 win at the Etihad Stadium that puts them in control of the title race.
Kevin De Bruyne scored two and set up the other for John Stones with the irrepressible Erling Haaland, who assisted both of De Bruyne's goals, finally getting the goal that his performance deserved by adding the fourth in stoppage time.
Rob Holding had scored late on for Arsenal but the gap is down to two points and, crucially, City still have two games in hand. Talk of the treble will only increase now. For Arsenal, their first defeat since February is also their fourth game without a win. Hopes are fading.
Arsenal's three consecutive draws had swung the momentum back in Manchester City's favour and the home crowd seemed to sense opportunity from the outset. Holding struggled to cope with Haaland throughout and it was critical to the opening goal.
The striker held off the centre-back and with Thomas Partey failing to track the run of De Bruyne beyond the back line, the Belgian had time to pick out the corner of the net. It looked easy. It was not. Amid the tension, De Bruyne had the coolest head of them all.
He regularly found the space between Arsenal's pressing midfield and their backtracking defence. Haaland had room to run into, producing one wicked strike of the bouncing ball, but his failure to connect cleanly with two other shots allowed Ramsdale to save.
With Arsenal's attacking threat looking more of a rumour than a fact, Guardiola would have felt his side deserved more than a one-goal lead at the break and they duly had their second late in the half. De Bruyne's free-kick found the head of Stones. It looked offside.
But the foot of Ben White was playing his fellow England international onside. Cue wild scenes of celebration. At that point, Arsenal needed something strange to happen. It almost did when Ruben Dias appeared to kick out at White near the corner flag. Only a booking.
The change of ends brought no turnaround just more of the same with even the reliable Arsenal players rattled. Gabriel was bullied by Haaland only for Ramsdale to save. The striker then picked up a loose pass by Martin Odegaard and fed De Bruyne for his second.
Though Holding's fine finish reduced the deficit to two late in the game, there was little prospect of a comeback, the contest turning into a procession. Those still hoping for a title race will be anxious that the rest of the season does not play out the same way.
Arteta was magnanimous in defeat, unable to hide the obvious gulf in quality between the two teams.
"The analysis is clear, the better team won the game, they were probably at their best, especially in the first half and we were nowhere near the level. When that happens, gap is too big. We got punished and we could have been punished even more.
"We played an exceptional team but we are an exceptional team too and today we were not at the races."
Asked why that was the case, Arteta said he would prefer to have that conversation with his players but he did expand on his concerns. "They won every single duel, we had them in the corners and then with two passes they are through on our goal," he added.
"We have to be loyal to what has brought us all this way. But it is time to look in the mirror too. The way we started the game did not help us. We lost first and second balls. That created an uncertainty and we could not grab the game as we wanted.
"We knew we would need our best as a team and individually. You need 11 players doing that. Today we were far from them."
Even so, Arteta refused to concede defeat in the title race.
"The stats at the start of the season said we would be sixth or seventh. There are still five games to go and I have been in this country a long time and I know how it shifts.
But would five wins be enough now? "I do not know what will be required. First we have to lift the players because it is a difficult one to swallow."
Guardiola chose to focus on his own team's performance as the reason for Arsenal's level dipping. "I do not underestimate Arsenal. I know how good they are," he said. "I prefer to think they did not have their best level because we were really, really good.
"Congratulations to all the players and the backroom staff. It was not decisive but very important. We played really well from the start to the end. Still, they are top of the league, the reality is that we are two points behind but we have two games in hand.
"I think the next three games will be really important but the most important thing is the destiny is in our hands. If Arsenal win, it is in theirs. If we win, it depends on us."
So, he would prefer to be in City's position now? "Absolutely, in our position. I prefer it because it depends on us. Until today I would prefer the position of Arsenal. Now, it is in our hands."
"It is over. Watching Man City, I cannot see them losing two football matches before the end. They are head and shoulders above everybody.
"Arsenal had to take their chances because they might not get in this position again. There is no way Arsenal finish above Man City next season, you do not realise how close they have come this season. It is nailed on impossible now.
"Arsenal have got to go to Newcastle yet. You would be shocked if they won at Newcastle."
Manchester City are next in action against Fulham on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Football, kick-off 2pm, while Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea the following Tuesday, with that fixture also broadcast live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm.
April 30: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
May 3: West Ham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 6: Leeds United (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm, live on Sky Sports
May 9: Real Madrid (A) - Champions League
May 13: Everton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 17: Real Madrid (H) - Champions League
May 21: Chelsea (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4pm
May 24: Brighton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 28: Brentford (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
June 3: Manchester United (N) - FA Cup final, kick-off 3pm
May 2: Chelsea (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 7: Newcastle (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 13: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 28: Wolves (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
