Manchester City made it back-to-back 5-0 home wins this season with another stellar display at the Etihad.
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Manchester City recorded their second consecutive home win this season, with another stellar display at the Etihad pulling off a 5-0 win. The defending champions were up by three goals at half-time, with their opponents reduced to ten men. Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka earned a straight red card, following a dangerous challenge that proved supremely costly. Ferran Torres made his presence felt with a brace before Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri smashed goals in a comprehensive win.
Manchester City were ahead after just five minutes, after Bernardo Silva started the move just outside his own box, before playing out to the right. Bernardo continued his run, receiving a pass on the corner of the Gunners’ box before feeding Gabriel Jesus to his right. The Brazilian’s cross was astutely headed home by Ilkay Gundogan. It increased to 2-0 just five minutes later as a short free-kick from Gundogan was crossed in by Bernardo, with Arsenal’s defence all at sea as Torres poked the ball past Bernd Leno.
The visitors could have pulled one back following a poor pass by Ederson which struck Emile Smith Rowe and rolled towards the far post, out of play. However, Arsenal’s hopes of getting back into the contest all-but disappeared after Xhaka’s reckless two-footed attempt at a tackle on Joao Cancelo. It was one-sided from that point as Torres raced forward down the middle of the pitch before finding Jack Grealish to the left. Grealish pushed the ball to Gabriel Jesus who scored from a few yards out.
Torres continued to impress, teeing up Rodrigo who completed a low shot into the bottom right corner, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side with more than half-an-hour still to play. The fifth goal was recorded five minutes from time, after Riyad Mahrez’s delightful cross was gently headed in off the post by the winger for his second goal of the encounter. The win saw City jump to the top of the table, if only for a short while.
Arsenal have now lost their last nine Premier League meetings with Manchester City. This is their longest run of consecutive defeats against a specific opponent in their league history. City are unbeaten in 12 league games against Arsenal (W10 D2) since a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates in December 2015. They have taken 31 out of a possible 33 points against the Gunners under Pep Guardiola (W10 D1).
City have kept a clean sheet in seven of the last eight league meetings with Arsenal. The Cityzens have further won their last three Premier League home games by a 5-0 scoreline, equalling their own and Chelsea’s record.
Lineups
City: Ederson, Walker (Zinchenko 46), Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), Bernardo (Sterling 58), Grealish, Torres, Jesus (Mahrez 62)
Subs: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Fernandinho, Doyle, Palmer
Arsenal: Leno, Cédric Soares, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Tierney, Ødegaard, Smith Rowe, Xhaka, Saka (Elneny 46), Aubameyang (Lacazette 59)
Subs: Ramsdale, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Marí, Sambi Lokonga, Okonkwo, Martinelli.
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal bounce back.
