Arsenal find solution in Man City win to hand Mikel Arteta a huge transfer dilemma

Last September, this rivalry turned into a full-on grudge with Erling Haaland’s “stay humble” jibe after Manchester City snatched a last-gasp draw at the Etihad – but Arsenal got revenge in style

They waited 133 days for revenge – but Arsenal served it in some style at the Emirates.

Last September, this rivalry turned into a full-on grudge with Erling Haaland’s “stay humble” jibe after Manchester City snatched a last-gasp draw at the Etihad. Well, this time it was Arsenal who humbled City with a demolition job which highlighted just how far Pep Guardiola’s fading champions have fallen.

City collapsed like a pack of cards as they were so bad defensively that it became open season for Arsenal who looked as if they would score with every attack. City have now conceded four or more goals for the fourth time this season which is the most in Guardiola’s career. And it is actually beginning to look hard as to how they come back from this.

And maybe the goal rush will mean Arsenal do not go into the transfer market before Monday’s deadline. Who needs a striker when you can stick five past the champions. It may also give them hope of catching Liverpool in the title race.

As the goals flew in, the celebrations and taunts became more outrageous. Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, scored and then sat down cross legged to mock Haaland’s yoga goal celebration.

Gabriel shouted in Haaland’s face after the first goal went in to get revenge for the angry scenes after their previous meeting at the Etihad. The fans joined in when it went to 4-1 as Arsenal supporters mocked City by turning their backs and doing “the Poznan” celebration to rub the visitors’ noses in it.

After the final whistle, the PA system belted out Kendrick Lamar’s song Humble. This meant a lot to Arsenal to put it mildly. Mikel Arteta has beaten Guardiola before but this was the pretenders to the throne eclipsing the champions. It should give Arsenal not just belief but also energy for the run-in.

City look an absolute mess defensively – and that was their undoing after just 103 seconds. John Stones’ pass put Manuel Akanji under pressure, Leandro Trossard closed him down, Declan Rice fed Kai Havertz and his lay-off was perfect for Martin Odegaard to sweep home.

What a start. But then Havertz missed a sitter. Arsenal keeper David Raya made two super saves. The game faded out and lacked intensity. Both teams were sloppy and clumsy. City then levelled ten minutes after the restart. City winger Savinho’s pinpoint cross found Haaland who rose highest at the back post to head home. It is hard to believe, but at 1-1 City looked to be in ascendancy. That did not last long.

Two minutes later, Arsenal were back in front. Phil Foden’s stray pass went straight to Thomas Partey, the Arsenal midfielder drove forward and his shot deflected off Stones and deceived City keeper Stefan Ortega. Then a moment to savour. Rice played in Lewis-Skelly, he used his strength to hold off the City defence and then fired a shot which Ortega pushed onto the post but could not keep out.

Just think. Lewis-Skelly was not supposed to be playing in this game but his red card was overturned on appeal. His celebration said how much it meant. It got better for Arsenal as City just waved the white flag. Gabriel Martinelli led a counter-attacking charge, slipped a pass to Havertz and his left-footed cross shot flew into the far corner. A lovely moment for him after his big miss.

Then the best goal of the lot came in the 93rd minute. Teenager Ethan Nwaneri, on as a substitute, cut in from the right, curled a stunning 20 yard left foot shot into the far corner. Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are Arsenal’s future. This City generation and all their success looks to be in the past.

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