City hit five again as 10-man Gunners thrashed

Men's Team

City's 2021/22 Champions League group stage fixture dates confirmed

The champions were three up by the break, with Gunners reduced to ten men with a dangerous challenge from Granit Xhaka earning a straight red card.

Ilkay Gundogan, Ferran Torres (2), Gabriel Jesus and Rodri were all on target.

What happened?

In the bright Etihad sunshine, City were ahead after just seven minutes, much to the delight of the capacity shirt-sleeved crowd.

Bernardo, notably coming deeper to collect the ball, started the move just outside his own box, before playing out to the right.

Bernardo continued his run, receiving a pass on the corner of the Gunners’ box before feeding Gabriel Jesus to his right and the Brazilian’s cross to the back post was headed home by Ilkay Gundogan.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0, as a short free-kick from Gundogan was crossed in by Bernardo and Arsenal’s defence was all at sea as Ferran Torres nipped in to poke the ball past Bernd Leno.

The visitors could have pulled one back when Ederson’s pass on 19 minutes struck Emile Smith Rowe and rolled towards the far post – but thankfully past it and out of play.

Arsenal’s hopes of getting back into the contest all-but disappeared when skipper Granit Xhaka was shown a straight red card on 35 minutes for a reckless two-footed attempt at a tackle on Joao Cancelo.

Within eight minutes of the Swiss midfielder’s exit, City had increased the lead.

Ferran Torres raced forward down the middle of the pitch before finding Jack Grealish to his left – Grealish teased the Arsenal defender as he moved into the box before nudging the ball cross to Gabriel Jesus who swept home from a few yards out.

The rout continued with a fourth six minutes after the re-start.

A neat passing move on the edge of the Arsenal box ended with Torres teeing up Rodrigo who stroke a low shot into the bottom right corner, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side with more than half-an-hour still to play.

The fifth came five minutes from time, with Riyad Mahrez‘s delightful cross gently headed in off the post by Torres for his second of the game.

There could have been more, but the champions declared at five as the City fans went through a list of greatest hits with Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli chants echoing around a very happy Etihad.

STAR MAN: TORRES

Two goals, one assist and a big role in another goal - excellent from our young Spaniard.

What it means…

Ahead of Sunday’s games, City are fifth with a goal difference of +9.

What’s next?

There are no games for the next fortnight as the international break kicks in.

City return to action away to Leicester on September 11, with a 3pm kick-off.

Pep reaction

“We have a fantastic squad. Thank you to the scouting department from day one for the players they have given me.

“We found a goal without deserving it an after we went 2-0 up and they had a player sent off, the game was different.

“It was lovely day and amazing atmosphere, easier for us tough for the opposition.”

Teams

City: Ederson, Walker (Zinchenko 46), Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), Bernardo (Sterling 58), Grealish, Torres, Jesus (Mahrez 62)

Subs: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Fernandinho, Doyle, Palmer

Arsenal: Leno, Cédric Soares, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Tierney, Ødegaard, Smith Rowe, Xhaka, Saka (Elneny 46), Aubameyang (Lacazette 59)

Subs: Ramsdale, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Marí, Sambi Lokonga, Okonkwo, Martinelli

Facts and stats

Arsenal have now lost their last nine Premier League meetings with Manchester City, their longest run of consecutive defeats against a specific opponent in their league history.

City are unbeaten in 12 league games against Arsenal (W10 D2) since a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates in December 2015, taking 31 of a possible 33 points against the Gunners under Pep Guardiola (W10 D1).

City have kept a clean sheet in seven of the last eight league meetings with Arsenal, including the last five in a row since a 3-1 home win in February 2019.

City have won our last three Premier League home games by a 5-0 scoreline, equalling our own and Chelsea’s record.