Arsenal delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Manchester City, significantly bolstering their Premier League title aspirations.
This was in a stunning display at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners seized an early advantage when Martin Ødegaard capitalised on a defensive lapse by City, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Despite Erling Haaland equalising with a powerful header in the 55th minute, Arsenal’s response was swift and decisive.
Midfielder Thomas Partey restored Arsenal’s lead with a precise strike, followed by a goal from youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, who celebrated by mimicking Haaland’s signature pose—a nod to a previous encounter between the two players.
Kai Havertz further extended the lead, Nwaneri capped off the performance with a fifth goal, securing a memorable victory for the home side.
“The Hale End graduate, who only made his debut in the away fixture against this opposition earlier this season, is still just 18. The celebrations were in glorious, stark contrast to last weekend – when he was controversially sent off at Wolves.
“It got even better with 15 minutes remaining. Partey launched a rapid counter attack, deep in our own half, with a perfect pass for the onrushing Gabriel Martinelli. He took it on into the box, where Havertz was overlapping. Martinelli’s pass slipped him in on goal, and this time his finish was unerring, low into the corner,” a statement on the website read.
This emphatic win narrows the gap between Arsenal and league leaders Liverpool to six points, intensifying the title race.
“Parity lasted less than two minutes. Foden’s loose pass inn midfield was intercepted by Partey, who had time and space outside the area to wind up for his shot. His effort was goalbound, but a deflection off the back of John Stones took it past the keeper and inside the post. The Emirates erupted again,” the club’s post-match report also noted.
Manchester City, on the other hand, faces the prospect of dropping out of the top four if Chelsea secures a win in their upcoming match, marking a significant downturn in form for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The Gunners will look to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of Premier League glory.
Arsenal head to St James’ Park on Wednesday night, for the second leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final. The gunners trail 2-0 from the first leg, and there is no away goals rule in the competition. The team then have a week and a half without a match before returning to action away to Leicester on Saturday, February 15.