HT: Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City – We started so well but we’ve let Manchester City get back into the game late into the half.

Arsenal delivered a statement performance at the Emirates Stadium, stunning Manchester City with a dominant 5-1 victory that left fans and pundits in awe. It was a night to remember for Mikel Arteta’s side, who not only outplayed the reigning champions but did so in emphatic fashion, showcasing their attacking brilliance and defensive resilience.

The game started with Arsenal in full control, pressing high and dictating the tempo. It was Martin Ødegaard who broke the deadlock, finishing a well-worked team move to give the Gunners a deserved lead before halftime. Despite City’s attempts to fight back, Arsenal’s intensity never wavered, setting the stage for an electrifying second half.

Manchester City responded through Erling Haaland, who equalized early in the second half with a powerful header. But Arsenal’s reaction was immediate—within seconds of conceding, they were back in front. A deflected effort found its way past Ederson, shifting the momentum firmly back in Arsenal’s favor.

From that point on, Arsenal played with an energy and confidence that City simply could not match. Myles Lewis-Skelly, making his mark in the Premier League, scored his first-ever goal to put the Gunners 3-1 ahead, sending the Emirates crowd into a frenzy. The teenager’s composure in front of goal spoke volumes about the talent emerging in Arteta’s squad.

Kai Havertz, who had earlier missed a golden opportunity, made amends with Arsenal’s fourth goal. The German midfielder’s finish was clinical, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from City. His celebration was one of pure relief, knowing he had redeemed himself in a big moment.

As stoppage time approached, Ethan Nwaneri, another young sensation, put the finishing touches on a dream night for Arsenal. The teenager’s stunning strike from outside the box left Ederson with no chance, sealing an emphatic 5-1 win and sending a clear message to the rest of the Premier League.

It was a performance that Arsenal fans will cherish for a long time—a night where the team played with swagger, belief, and an unshakable desire to dominate their opponents. Thierry Henry, watching from the stands, was among those left thoroughly impressed, immediately coming to the defense of one Arsenal player who had been under scrutiny in recent weeks.

“That’s a five-star performance, and I can’t stop applauding this guy,” Henry said post-match. “He showed character, class, and the mentality of a winner. This is what Arsenal needs.”

The French legend’s words came as a strong endorsement for a player who had been struggling with confidence but stepped up when it mattered most against Manchester City.

John Stones, one of City’s key defenders, acknowledged the beating his side had taken, apologizing to the club’s traveling fans. “They got lucky with this, but the battle line has just been drawn,” he said, hinting that City would be out for revenge in the reverse fixture.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s young stars, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, were quick to fire back at pre-match comments made by Haaland. “We promised to make him regret his words, and now Haaland is humble, eh?” they joked in a post-match interview.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard also expressed his satisfaction with the team’s dominant display. “Yeah, it was a top game, a top performance. Trashing them is the best way for us to keep our head up in the title race,” he said.

City’s defensive frailties were exposed throughout the match, with Arsenal’s relentless pressing causing all sorts of problems. Pep Guardiola’s men were uncharacteristically shaky at the back, and their struggles only intensified as Arsenal’s young guns ran riot.

The win solidifies Arsenal’s status as serious title contenders, proving they can go toe-to-toe with the best and emerge victorious. The belief in Arteta’s project is stronger than ever, and performances like this only reinforce the feeling that something special is brewing at the Emirates.

For Manchester City, this result will sting. It was a humbling experience for the champions, who are not used to being dismantled in such fashion. Guardiola will undoubtedly demand a strong response from his players in the coming weeks.

As for Arsenal, they will look to build on this momentum. With young talents stepping up and experienced players leading the charge, the Gunners are making a loud statement in the Premier League title race. If they continue playing like this, their long wait for domestic glory could soon come to an end.