Arsenal’s resounding 5-1 victory over Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium kept their Premier League title hopes alive, thanks to a sensational performance by the team, particularly from Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old’s brilliant curling shot, which put Arsenal 3-1 ahead, was the moment of the match, and his subsequent meditative yoga pose was a cheeky dig at Erling Haaland, referencing the fiery 2-2 draw between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season.
That earlier clash had been marked by tense exchanges, including a confrontation between Haaland and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães. Haaland had been eager to remind Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” after the game, but in this encounter, it was Arsenal who had the last laugh. Haaland did briefly spoil the party by equalizing Martin Ødegaard’s early goal, but Arsenal soon regained control of the match.
Thomas Partey’s deflected shot restored the Gunners’ lead, and after Lewis-Skelly’s magnificent strike, Arsenal looked unstoppable. Kai Havertz, who had missed a golden opportunity in the first half, made amends by scoring Arsenal’s fourth, before Ethan Nwaneri, another teenage talent, sealed the win with a beautiful finish. The result was emphatic, demonstrating Arsenal’s attacking power and resolute defending.
Arsenal knew a win was crucial to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Despite the growing dominance of Liverpool, Arteta’s team showed no sign of giving up on their title dreams. They responded brilliantly to Haaland’s equalizer, dominating City with energy, urgency, and precision. Arsenal’s win was a testament to their commitment, and their display of attacking prowess put them firmly in the title conversation.
The match began at a blistering pace, with Arsenal taking the lead just two minutes in. A costly mistake from City’s Manuel Akanji allowed Leandro Trossard to press quickly and intercept, setting up Declan Rice for a first-time pass to Havertz. With City’s defensive shape in disarray, Havertz squared the ball to Ødegaard, who had a simple finish to put Arsenal ahead.
The early goal was a disaster for City, and although they stabilized for a while, Arsenal continued to apply pressure. Gabriel Martinelli thought he had added a second shortly after, but his strike was ruled offside. City did manage to create a couple of opportunities, including a header from Josko Gvardiol that Arsenal keeper David Raya was forced to push over the bar, but overall, City were unable to break down Arsenal’s defense.
In the first half, City’s attempts to play out from the back often left them vulnerable. A high-risk style of play led to mistakes, including one when Mateo Kovacic lost possession to Rice, setting up Havertz with a chance that was squandered wide. Despite the chances, Arsenal continued to press City, forcing them into errors that led to goals.
City tried to get back into the game with some clever play from Phil Foden, but his poor pass was intercepted by Partey, who fired a shot that deflected off John Stones to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead. From there, Arsenal took full control, with Lewis-Skelly’s stunning goal and Havertz’s strike effectively sealing the game. Nwaneri’s late goal added the cherry on top, further demoralizing City.
For City, it was a forgettable performance, marked by defensive lapses and a lack of intensity. Pep Guardiola’s side seemed to be a shadow of the team that has dominated in recent years. Meanwhile, Arsenal showed why they are still in the hunt for the title, refusing to give up despite the challenges they face.
