Arsenal kept their Premier League title bid alive and effectively ended Manchester City’s in the process by beating the reigning champions 5-1 on Sunday.
The Gunners were ahead inside the opening 104 seconds thanks to Martin Odegaard’s third goal of the season.
City hit back when Erling Haaland headed home an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half but Arsenal were soon in the lead again courtesy of a long-range Thomas Partey strike.
Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly then scored the first goal of his senior club career before Kai Havertz and substitute Ethan Nwaneri wrapped up a comprehensive victory.
ISSAN KHAN was at the Emirates Stadium for Mail Sport. Read on for his player ratings.
Arsenal thrashed Man City 5-1 in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday
Erling Haaland scored his 25th goal of the season but his side were humbled in north London
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA: 8
Made two crucial saves. Tipped Josko Gvardiol’s header off a corner-kick onto the bar and made a reflex stop on Savinho’s deflected shot. World-class display.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 7
Got a yellow card on 25 minutes, yet still managed to get stuck in with challenges and showed a relentless engine.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5
Outhustled in some exchanges with Erling Haaland, particularly the Norwegian’s goal.
GABRIEL: 7.5
Pushing and shoving between him and Haaland from the start in a continuation from the September battle. Gave as good as he got.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 8.5
Stepped up to the plate in a high-pressure match. Scored with his weaker right foot and mimicked Haaland’s ‘zen’ celebration. The kid is a special talent.
Myles Lewis-Skelly scored his first ever Arsenal goal in Sunday’s dominant victory over City
Lewis-Skelly appeared to mock Erling Haaland after scoring against City on Sunday
THOMAS PARTEY: 9
Impressive display in his favoured midfield position. Made a number of important interceptions, topped off with a goal. A massive part of Arsenal’s victory.
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 7.5
Set the tone with a goal after two minutes. Relentless in pressing and kept looking to play ball through the forward channels.
DECLAN RICE: 8
Good work in the build-up to Odegaard’s goal. Pushed play forward a number of times and integral to winning the midfield battle against opposition.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6.5
Would’ve liked to have gotten on the ball more. Had a shot well saved on 68 minutes. Assisted Havertz for his goal.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 7
Showed silky skills, particularly in the first half. Wasn’t afraid to take players on and crucial to Arsenal’s first goal. Faded a bit in second period.
KAI HAVERTZ: 6.5
Atoned for his howler in the first half, where he dragged his shot wide under no pressure, by scoring Arsenal’s fourth with a classy finish.
England international Declan Rice played a key role in Arsenal winning the midfield battle
German Kai Havertz (right) – who assisted Odegaard’s opener – scored Arsenal’s fourth goal
Manager: MIKEL ARTETA: 8
A statement performance. This could not have got any better for him in such an important fixture.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)
STEFAN ORTEGA: 5.5
The first two goals he conceded were influenced by a defensive error and deflection respectively. But he should’ve got a stronger hand to Lewis-Skelly’s strike.
MATHEUS NUNES: 5.5
Run ragged by Trossard. Didn’t really use the ball to good effect when he did get into advanced positions.
JOHN STONES: 6
Some top ball distribution. Unlucky that Partey’s goal deflected into the goal off his back.
MANUEL AKANJI: 5.5
Poor error, capitalised on by Trossard to set up Odegaard, put his side under the cosh from the very start.
Man City defender Manuel Akanji looked dejected after seeing his team concede five goals
Bernardo Silva (left) played the full 90 minutes in midfield for City, who were well outplayed
JOSKO GVARDIOL: 6
Had a header denied by a top Raya save. Got into good attacking positions but, as a back four, leaked five goals which is not good enough.
MATEO KOVACIC: 5.5
Stuck to his task in the middle but Partey completely outshone him. A key battle in the match which he lost.
BERNARDO SILVA: 6
Got stuck into challenges. Was unable to dictate play as his midfield was overrun by Arsenal all game.
OMAR MARMOUSH: 6
Shot on 18 minutes went high and wide. Comfy in possession but didn’t manage to make any real in-roads in the final third.
SAVINHO: 7
Man City’s best threat going forward. Good cross to assist Haaland and was lively when he got on the ball.
PHIL FODEN: 5.5
Gave the ball away to Partey, which the Ghanaian scored off, to cap off a lacklustre display he will want to forget.
Phil Foden pictured looking annoyed as Arsenal’s players celebrate one of their five goals
ERLING HAALAND: 6.5
Out-jumped Saliba to drew Man City level at 1-1 — but touched the ball just nine times. Though the service to him was dire throughout.
Manager: PEP GUARDIOLA: 5.5
A thrashing by his protégé. This will badly hurt. His team were just not at the races.
Referee: PETER BANKES: 6.5
