Manchester City seized control of the Premier League title race as Kevin De Bruyne inspired a crucial 4-1 rout of crumbling leaders Arsenal on Wednesday.
De Bruyne scored twice and set up John Stones' goal before Erling Haaland capped the demolition at the Etihad Stadium as City showed why they have been champions four times in the last five seasons.
Pep Guardiola's side have trailed unexpected pace-setters Arsenal for much of the campaign, but the Gunners have choked over the last month while battle-hardened City show no signs of being affected by the pressure.
Second placed City are now just two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand.
City will become champions for a third successive season if they win six of their last seven matches.
Few would bet against them after a blistering run of seven consecutive league victories reeled in Arsenal.
Unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions, City have won 13 of their past 14 games as they chase a remarkable treble.
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Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring Manchester City's opening goal in their 4-1 Premier League win over Arsenal at the Etihad stadium on April 26, 2023. AP -
Erling Haaland scores City's fourth goal. Reuters -
Erling Haaland celebrates with Phil Foden after scoring City's fourth goal. Getty -
John Stones heads City's second goal past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. AFP -
City's Kevin De Bruyne has a shot blocked by Arsenal defender Ben White in the first half. AFP -
City's John Stones celebrates after scoring. PA -
Kevin De Bruyne scores City's third goal. Getty -
Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish after the Belgian scored his second and City's third goal. Getty -
City striker Erling Haaland shoots at goal in the first half. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne fires City into an early lead. PA -
City's Erling Haaland after missing a chance. Getty -
Rob Holding scores for Arsenal. AP -
Mohammed, Kias, Mohammad and Itqan from the City Football Schools UAE Talent Players Programme pose with club mascots before the match. City Football Group
They booked an FA Cup final date with Manchester United last weekend and face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
While City eye a memorable end to the season, Arsenal, who were eight points clear at the start of April, have failed to win any of their last four league games.
Arsenal's third defeat against City in 2023 could prove the final blow to their hopes of winning the title for the first time in 19 years.
Mikel Arteta's young team have lost their nerve at the worst possible time, with three successive draws, featuring two blown two-goals leads, followed by their first loss in 11 league games.
De Bruyne started the demolition in the seventh minute when he took Haaland's deft pass and surged towards the Arsenal area before smashing a low strike past Aaron Ramsdale from 20 yards.
Stones rewarded City's incessant pressure on the stroke of half-time when he headed in De Bruyne's free-kick, with the goal awarded by VAR after initially being disallowed for offside.
Ratings
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MAN CITY: Ederson 7: Biggest headache in opening half came from manager Pep Guardiola giving the keeper an earful on touchline for reasons unclear. Biggest in second was picking ball out of net after Holding scored. Apart from that, not much to do. AFP -
Kyle Walker 8: England right-back focused on his defensive duties here in disciplined performance with his forays forward more restrained than usual. Part of an excellent City performance at the back. AFP -
John Stones 8: Fine header just before half-time to put City two up that had initially been disallowed for offside but then given by VAR. AFP -
Ruben Dias 8: Absolutely needless booking just before half-time for kicking out at White while on ground. But that was his only aberration as he helped keep Gunners dangermen Martinelli and Jesus very quiet. Reuters -
Manuel Akanji 9: Playing on the left to keep eye on Gunners dangerman Saka which he did with aplomb. Immaculate performance from Swiss defender. AFP -
Rodri 8: The water-carrier in midfield allowing Grealish, Silva and De Bruyne to rip through Arsenal at will in front of him. Booked late in game. Getty -
Ilkay Gundogan 8: Excellent run and ball into box to set-up one of Haaland’s four first-half chances. Provided City’s solid midfield base alongside Rodri. AP -
Kevin de Bruyne 9: Surging run and wonderful low strike to open scoring, calm finish to make it 3-0. Only Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling have scored more than his 64 Premier League goals for City. Also provided free-kick assist for Stones goal. AP -
Bernardo Silva 8: Buzzed around from start, making dangerous runs and faultless with his distribution. Gave old teammate Zinchenko a torrid time. Getty -
Jack Grealish 8: Playing with huge amount of confidence at moment and caused England teammate White problems throughout. Involved in a few flashpoints with Arsenal players and booked for clashing with Partey in second half. Reuters -
Erling Haaland 9: Supplied the pass for both of De Bruyne’s goals and his link-up play with Belgian ripped Arsenal to shreds. Denied three times by Ramsdale in first half and curled another effort just wide. Denied by keeper again early in second but goal finally arrived in injury-time – his 49th of the season. Getty -
SUBS: Julian Alvarez (On for De Bruyne 80’) N/A. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez (On for Grealish 87’) N/A. Getty -
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 7: De Bruyne's opening goal went in at his near post but was superb strike in his defence. No chance with other goals. Saved four times from Haaland before finally being beaten by the Norwegian late on. AP -
Ben White 5: Very good block to deny De Bruyne a second goal in opening half. Narrowly played Stones onside for City’s second. Struggled against Grealish. AFP -
Gabriel 4: De Bruyne skipped past Brazilian as if he wasn’t there before scoring first and same thing happened later in half and needed teammate White to come to his rescue. Dreadful game from centre-half who seems lost without William Saliba alongside him. Getty -
Rob Holding 5: Out-muscled by Haaland ahead of De Bruyne’s early goal and brushed aside again by Norwegian later in half but Ramsdale came to rescue with save. Unlikely scorer of consolation goal. PA -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 4: Up against former club and found old teammate Silva a tough opponent. No opportunity to push forward such was City’s attacking threat from first whistle. Reuters -
Thomas Partey 4: Early penalty shout for City when he collided with De Bruyne in box but referee/VAR decided Belgian had committed foul. Curled chance wide from edge of box in 35th minute. Looked a booking waiting to happen and the yellow card duly arrived after break following shove match with Grealish. AP -
Granit Xhaka 4: Squared up to Grealish in first half which was more frustration at just how dominant City were. Drilled shot from outside box straight at Ederson just after break which was his last significant contribution before being taken off. Getty -
Martin Odegaard 4: Arsenal’s captain and chief playmaker just could not get foothold in the game and City controlled midfield. Gave away possession ahead of City’s third goal. AP -
Bukayo Saka 3: One of the Premier League’s players of the season failed to make any impact, like the rest of Arsenal’s attack to be fair. Very well marked by Akanji. Curled free-kick high and wide in 80th minute. AFP -
Gabriel Martinelli 3: Another one of Arsenal’s best players this season who disappeared on the big occasion. Barely touched the ball the entire game until being hooked on the hour. AP -
Gabriel Jesus 3: He and Martinelli touched the ball fewer than any other players on pitch in opening 45 minutes. Cut a despondent figure at his old ground. Reuters -
SUBS: Jorginho (On for Xhaka 60’) 5: Not type of player that is going change a game with penetrating runs or flashes of great skill but solid enough. Reuters -
Leandro Trossard (On for Martinelli 60’) 6: Provided a little bit more attacking energy for Gunners. Getty -
Emile Smith Rowe (On for Odegaard 78’) N/A. Getty -
Reiss Nelson (On for Bukayo Saka 78’) N/A. PA -
Eddie Nketiah (On for Jesus 81’) N/A. Flashed one shot across face of goal. Getty
Imperious City were in complete control and De Bruyne put the result beyond doubt with another clinical finish from Haaland's pass in the 54th minute.
Rob Holding smashed home in the 86th minute, but the defender's goal was no consolation for reeling Arsenal.
With virtually the last kick of the game, Haaland slotted under Ramsdale for his 49th goal in all competitions this term and his 33rd in the league, beating Mohamed Salah's record for a single 38-game Premier League season.
Alan Shearer and Andy Cole hold the overall single-season record in the Premier League era with 34 goals, but Haaland looks certain to shatter that mark.
