Arsenal’s title dream was dealt a huge blow by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Kevin De Bruyne scored two with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on target in a 4-1 win that moves City within two points with two games in hand.
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Manchester City's 4-1 win at the Etihad Stadium puts them in control of the title race.
Kevin De Bruyne scored two and set up the other for John Stones with the irrepressible Erling Haaland, who assisted both of De Bruyne's goals, finally getting the goal that his performance deserved by adding the fourth in stoppage time.
Rob Holding had scored late on for Arsenal but the gap is down to two points and, crucially, City still have two games in hand. Talk of the treble will only increase now. For Arsenal, their first defeat since February is also their fourth game without a win. Hopes are fading.
Player ratings
Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Akanji (7), Dias (7), Stones (8), Rodri (8), De Bruyne (9), Gundogan (7), Silva (8), Haaland (9), Grealish (8).
Subs: Mahrez (6), Alvarez (6), Foden (6).
Arsenal: Ramsdale (6), White (6), Holding (5), Gabriel (5), Zinchenko (5), Partey (4), Xhaka (5), Odegaard (5), Saka (5), Jesus (5), Martinelli (5).
Subs: Trossard (7), Jorginho (6), Smith-Rowe (6), Nelson (6), Nketiah (6).
Player of the match: Kevin De Bruyne.
Team news
Manuel Akanji started for Manchester City instead of Aymeric Laporte in the absence of Nathan Ake due to a hamstring injury. Riyad Mahrez made way despite his FA Cup semi-final hat-trick.
Granit Xhaka recovered from his illness to return in place of Fabio Vieira. Rob Holding partnered Gabriel at centre-back with Ben White staying at right-back. Gabriel Jesus started up front with Leandro Trossard on the bench.
With Arsenal's attacking threat looking more of a rumour than a fact, Guardiola would have felt his side deserved more than a one-goal lead at the break and they duly had their second late in the half. De Bruyne's free-kick found the head of Stones. It looked offside.
Soccer Special pundit Paul Merson says he has not seen Man City play like they did in a 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal, believing they 'went to another level' on Wednesday evening
"It is over. Watching Man City, I cannot see them losing two football matches before the end. They are head and shoulders above everybody.
"Arsenal had to take their chances because they might not get in this position again. There is no way Arsenal finish above Man City next season, you do not realise how close they have come this season. It is nailed on impossible now.
"Arsenal have got to go to Newcastle yet. You would be shocked if they won at Newcastle."
Arsenal's night of woe:
Manchester City have won seven consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since a 12-match winning run between November 2021 and January 2022.
Arsenal are the first side to go four consecutive Premier League games winless while starting the day top for each match since Arsenal themselves in March 2008.
Manchester City have now won 12 consecutive Premier League matches against Arsenal, winning by an aggregate score of 33-5.
Before this game, the Opta Season Predictor gave Man City a 79% chance of winning the Premier League title, and Arsenal a 21% chance. Following City's 4-1 win, they now have a 92% chance of winning the league, compared to just 8% now for the Gunners.
Arsenal are the first side to concede two or more goals in four consecutive top-flight matches in which they started the day top for each match since Manchester United in December 1966.
Only Leeds United have conceded more Premier League goals in April than Arsenal (12). They have only conceded more Premier League goals in a single month in December 2018 (14).
Haaland and De Bruyne star
Man City's Erling Haaland scored his 33rd Premier League goal of the season, the most any player has scored in a 38-game season in the Premier League.
This was the first time Erling Haaland had assisted Kevin De Bruyne for a Premier League goal, assisting twice.
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has scored eight Premier League goals against Arsenal, three more than he has against any other side.
Four of those have come from outside the box, with De Bruyne's total of 27 goals from outside the box the most of any player in the Premier League since his City debut in September 2015.
What's next?
Manchester City are next in action against Fulham on Super Sunday, kick-off 2pm, while Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea the following Tuesday, kick-off 8pm.
Man City's remaining fixtures:
April 30: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
May 3: West Ham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 6: Leeds United (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm, live on Sky Sports
May 9: Real Madrid (A) - Champions League
May 13: Everton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 17: Real Madrid (H) - Champions League
May 21: Chelsea (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4pm
May 24: Brighton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 28: Brentford (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
Arsenal's remaining fixtures:
May 2: Chelsea (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 7: Newcastle (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 13: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 28: Wolves (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
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