Arsenal Close the Gap on Liverpool with Resounding Win Over Man City
Arsenal moved within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool by dismantling Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
Knowing that only a victory would suffice after Liverpool’s triumph over Bournemouth, the Gunners delivered a ruthless performance, overwhelming the struggling champions with ease.
While Arsenal have played one more game than Liverpool, this emphatic victory keeps them within striking distance of Arne Slot’s high-flying squad.
Similar to their collapse against Chelsea eight days earlier, City gifted their opponents an early advantage, with Manuel Akanji’s error leading to Martin Odegaard’s composed finish from Kai Havertz’s pass inside two minutes.
Havertz’s first-half miss seemed costly when Erling Haaland equalized in the 55th minute, but Arsenal swiftly regained the lead through Thomas Partey’s deflected shot off John Stones.
The game was put beyond doubt just seven minutes later when 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly smashed home his first Arsenal goal, with Stefan Ortega failing to keep out his powerful effort.
As City’s dismal season continued to unravel, Havertz redeemed himself with a precise left-footed finish into the bottom corner in the 76th minute.
The best was yet to come, as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri capped off a remarkable night by curling a stunning strike into the far corner after being picked out by Declan Rice.
Lewis-Skelly Shines as Arsenal Dominate
Arsenal are playing the role of chasers rather than being the chased in this year’s Premier League title race, striving to keep up with Liverpool’s relentless pace at the summit.
If ever there was a “must-win” fixture this early in February, this was it. Arsenal knew that dropping points could severely dent their title ambitions.
A defeat would have left them nine points behind Liverpool despite having played an extra match. But when they needed a game-changer, it was teenager Lewis-Skelly who provided the spark.
He had already impressed with his energetic runs from deep in the first half, and his goal gave Arsenal the breathing room they needed.
Haaland memorably asked Lewis-Skelly, “Who are you?” when they clashed during a tense 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September. If Haaland didn’t know him then, he certainly does now.
The emphatic nature of this win will fuel Arsenal’s confidence as they push for the title.
Havertz, who endured a moment to forget with his first-half miss, found redemption in the second half, sealing the victory with a clinical finish.
By the final whistle, the Emirates erupted in celebration as Arsenal’s title charge gained serious momentum.
Manchester City’s Troubles Worsen as They Suffer Another Collapse
Manchester City’s alarming tendency to fall apart was evident once again. Just as they did against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month, they conceded four second-half goals in another shocking meltdown.
This is the same team that secured a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title last season. Has any elite club ever suffered such a dramatic drop in form?
Haaland’s equalizer briefly provided City with hope, but their downfall was humiliating as Arsenal swiftly regained control. Pep Guardiola stood helpless on the sidelines, unable to inspire a response from his players.
The injury to Rodri earlier in the season, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign, has been highlighted as a key moment. However, it hardly explains the sheer scale of City’s ongoing struggles, both domestically and in Europe.
The final half-hour saw Arsenal look likely to score with every attack, leaving City desperate for the full-time whistle to put an end to their suffering.
With a daunting Champions League clash against Real Madrid approaching, City’s recent performances will have Kylian Mbappe and company eagerly awaiting their opportunity to inflict more damage.
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