Whereas much of our winning run has been down to our scintillating attacking play, this victory was built on hard-work and commitment.
Raheem Sterling headed home from Riyad Mahrez’s inch-perfect cross to give us a dream start inside two minutes. It was an untypical but brilliant Sterling goal and provided City just reward for a lightning-quick opening.
It looked as though it would spark a flurry of City goals, but it turned out to be the winner, with our play thereafter rarely hitting the heights of recent weeks due to Arsenal’s diligence and squeezing of space.
Joao Cancelo almost doubled our lead late on with a wonderful outside-of-the-boot right-footed effort that sailed just wide, but with Fernandinho superb in midfield - and City’s centre-backs once again in brilliant form - one goal was all we needed to secure a vital three points.
DOMINANT CITY
The numbers tell a clear story: City are in fabulous form.
It’s now 25 matches unbeaten, with our last defeat coming in late November away at Tottenham.
Since then, we’ve won 22 and drawn 3, scoring 59 and conceding just seven.
But perhaps the clearest indicator of our dominance is this: during that run, City have only been behind once, and that was to League Two side Cheltenham in the FA Cup.
It’s been a dazzling period, one which has left our season set up beautifully as we head into the spring still with a chance of winning all four major trophies.
VINTAGE FERNA
At 35, he may not be able to play three games a week, but there is no doubting Fernandinho’s enduring quality.
He returned to the base of City’s midfield for this game and was outstanding, with his unerring ability to be in the right place at the right time vital in giving City security and stability.
He has a superb range of passing, excellent vision and brings dynamism to that area in front of the back four.
Our captain and leader off the field, he remains a vital element on it, too.
STONES THE CENTURION
This was John Stones‘ 100th Premier League appearance for City, all of which have come under Guardiola‘s management, and he was superb yet again.
Raheem Sterling (156) and Kyle Walker (110) are the only other two English players to reach a century of Premier League matches under Guardiola.
Well done, John!
Watch the full game in the video above...
