English Premier League

Arsenal Demolish Manchester City to Keep Title Hopes Alive

Arsenal moved within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a dominant 5-1 victory over Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.

With Liverpool extending their lead after beating Bournemouth, the Gunners had no margin for error. They responded emphatically, overpowering the struggling champions to stay in the title race. While Arsenal have played one more game than Liverpool, this statement win keeps them within touching distance of the leaders.

City’s defensive frailties were exposed early, as Manuel Akanji’s mistake gifted Arsenal a second-minute opener. Martin Ødegaard capitalized, slotting home from Kai Havertz’s pass.

Havertz’s first-half miss threatened to be costly when Erling Haaland equalized with a header in the 55th minute. However, Arsenal hit back instantly—Thomas Partey’s shot deflected off John Stones past Stefan Ortega, restoring their lead within two minutes.

The floodgates then opened. Myles Lewis-Skelly, just 18 years old, made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute with his first senior goal. Ortega got a hand to his powerful shot but couldn’t keep it out.

City fell apart, and Havertz redeemed himself with a precise left-footed finish into the far corner. The night got even worse for Guardiola’s men when 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri curled in a stunning goal from Declan Rice’s assist.

Manchester City’s Collapse Raises Serious Questions

Once again, Manchester City unraveled under pressure. Similar to their Champions League meltdown against Paris Saint-Germain, they conceded four second-half goals in an extraordinary collapse.

This is a team that won a historic fourth consecutive league title last season, yet their dramatic decline raises serious concerns.

 Arsenal 5-1 Manchester city

 

For a brief moment, Haaland’s equalizer gave City hope, but their response was disastrous. Guardiola, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, could only watch as his team crumbled.

While Rodri’s long-term injury has been cited as a key factor in City’s struggles, it doesn’t fully explain their repeated implosions in domestic and European competition. Arsenal ran riot in the closing stages, looking like they could score at will.

With a Champions League playoff against Real Madrid looming, City must regroup quickly. Based on this performance, Kylian Mbappé and company will be eagerly awaiting their opportunity.

In other news – Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 – 0 Aston Villa

Wolves moved out of the bottom three as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha’s goals saw off Aston Villa for their first Premier League victory of 2025.

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Bellegarde finished off a brilliant move for Vitor Pereira’s side as he ran off the shoulder of Boubacar Kamara and drilled the ball low and hard into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

Then deep into stoppage time Cunha glided into the box and arrowed a precise finish past Emiliano Martinez to wrap up a well-deserved victory.

Goncalo Guedes missed a hat-trick of chances to make Wolves’ lead much more comfortable before half-time.

Arsenal target Ollie Watkins went off injured at the break in a blow to Unai Emery’s side after fellow striker Jhon Duran departed for Al-Nassr this week.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 0 Aston Villa

Substitute Donyell Malen almost made a swift impact after he was introduced, but his first Villa goal was ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee (VAR) check ruled that Morgan Rogers’ movement impeded the run of Nelson Semedo.

Cunha hints he is staying at Wolves

It is the first time since 26 December against Manchester United that Wolves have won in the league – and they did it the hard way.

Cunha was denied by keeper Martinez after being sent through on goal and bustling past Kamara with Guedes firing the rebound narrowly wide.

Just before the break, Guedes had another opportunity but lacked composure at the crucial moment, shooting wide of the target once again. read more on ….

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