Manchester City utterly dominated Arsenal to win 4-1 in Wednesday’s Premier League title showdown.
Mikel Arteta had spoken before the game of expecting a tactical surprise from Pep Guardiola, while planning his own. Alas, the Gunners’ tricks failed to appear as they were dazzled by Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne’s link-up play.
The Norwegian’s plot of dropping deep to open up space in behind for his captain to attack worked a treat, carving Arsenal open for a seventh-minute opener as De Bruyne slotted home a superb finish from outside the box.
Arsenal were without an answer at either end, failing to penetrate the hosts’ backline while looking flimsy against counter-attacks.
OH Kevin De Bruyne! 🎯
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023
A great takedown from Erling Haaland who passes to De Bruyne for a stunning run and finish! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Ex4pyouHVJ
An important Ben White block denied De Bruyne from a similar breakaway before Haaland wriggled through two challenges and bobbled a shot up for Aaron Ramsdale to save.
The striker looked as deadly as ever despite his new role, again testing Ramsdale - first from a tight angle before firing off Ilkay Gundogan’s cross for an effort that the goalkeeper only parried.
It looked like City would rue their missed opportunities with just a one-goal lead at the break, yet John Stones deftly headed a De Bruyne free-kick into the far corner in stoppage time. Initially ruled out, VAR overturned the offside call.
Little changed after the break as Ramsdale’s leg turned away Haaland’s one-on-one before City had a third on 54 minutes.
Once again, space was in abundance as Haaland slipped De Bruyne through for a right-footed finish across into the opposite corner. The home fans, doing old favourite ‘the Poznan’, could not be blamed for sensing the title was heading their way.
A late reply courtesy of Rob Holding was not enough to spark a miraculous comeback as Haaland made it four in injury time, cutting the Gunners’ lead atop the table to just two points with City holding two games in hand.
