Live Blog: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal in top of the table clash

League leaders Arsenal take on title rivals Manchester City in arguably the biggest game of the 2022/23 season. Follow the game live...



Live Blog: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal in top of the table clash

Martin Odegaard sends Jack Grealish to the floor in City's 3-1 win at the Emirates in February. Credit- Charlotte Wilson/Offside


Live BLog Wednesday Apr 26th

  1. 22:01 #1688

    Very interesting to hear from Mikel Arteta after this one. Keep an eye on our website for reaction and on the whistle player ratings, and hopefully see you at the Emirates on Monday for Arsenal Women's Champions League semi final second leg against Wolfsburg. The Gunners return to action on Tuesday against Frank Lampard's struggling Chelsea. Goodbye for now.

  2. 21:59 #1687

    Full time: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal. City take their biggest step yet towards winning a third Premier League title in a row- they close the gap on Arsenal to two points with two games in hand on the Gunners, who have been outclassed in every way tonight.

  3. 21:58 #1686

    95' Erling Haaland literally and metaphorically lets his hair down and scores City's fourth. Arsenal's defence switches off and Haaland slots the ball bast Ramsdale. 4-1

  4. 21:56 #1685

    94' Somehow, a fair few City fans have gone home early to beat the traffic in their biggest game of the season so far. 3-1

  5. 21:55 #1684

    93' Alvarez's cross can't find Foden as the clock ticks on toward full time. 3-1

  6. 21:53 #1683

    5 minutes of injury time. 3-1

  7. 21:52 #1682

    90' Partey, on a yellow card, wrestles Haaland to the floor but escapes any further punishment. 3-1

  8. 21:51 #1681

    2 minutes plus added time- could Arsenal get another one back to really put the pressure on? Surely not... 3-1

  9. 21:50 #1680

    Holding has more goals than Spurs' £60 million signing Richarlison in the Premier League this season.

  10. 21:49 #1679

    86' Poor corner from Trossard but he then picks the ball up out wide before driving into the box. He finds Rob Holding who smashes the ball past Ederson with an excellent finish! 3-1

  11. 21:46 #1678

    84' Eddie Nketiah is in the room and City's defence was in trouble for a moment as he flashed the ball across the face of goal. 3-0

  12. 21:45 #1677

    The Arsenal fans have been singing their songs and cheering on their team non stop tonight despite the scoreline- they have been a credit to their club tonight. Outstanding.

  13. 21:44 #1676

    81' Hale End graduates Nelson and Nketiah on for Saka and Jesus. 3-0

  14. 21:43 #1675

    81' De Bruyne's night is done as he is replaced by Alvarez. What a stunning display from the Belgian with two goals and an assist. 3-0

  15. 21:42 #1674

    80' Saka's free kick was curling but it's over the crossbar. 3-0

  16. 21:41 #1673

    78' Bukayo Saka pays the ball forward and there's a handball from Rodri. Free kick in a good position for Arsenal. 3-0

  17. 21:38 #1672

    Grealish had just nudged Partey after he was kicked by Bernardo Silva- Partey almost wasn't sure who to pick a fight with. Back underway. 3-0

  18. 21:37 #1671

    75' Grealish and Partey lock horns and Bukayo Saka runs straight in to defend his teammate. Michael Oliver calms down the players and books Grealish and then Partey. 3-0

  19. 21:33 #1670

    71' Arsenal continuing to have a bit more of the ball. Trossard's cross is flicked on but cleared by Akanji before Emile Smith Rowe is finally introduced. 3-0

  20. 21:31 #1669

    68' The Arsenal fans are still in fine voice and cheering their team on at the Etihad despite the scoreline. 3-0

  21. 21:27 #1668

    64' Chelsea are losing again at least- they trail 2-0 to Brentford in an earlier kick off as Frank Lampard heads for a fifth defeat as interim manager. Gundogan's shot is high over the crossbar. 3-0

  22. 21:25 #1667

    As Layth said it's remarkable to think of the progress Arsenal have made since they were thrashed by City at the Etihad last season, but the fact that they have come all this way to be outclassed by Pep's side once again speaks volumes about just how dominant this City team are. 3-0

  23. 21:22 #1666

    60' Martinelli has barely had a kick. He's replaced by Trossard and Xhaka is replaced by Jorginho. 3-0

  24. 21:21 #1665

    57' Arsenal not far away there! Holding's shot is deflected behind. 3-0

  25. 21:18 #1664

    56' Could genuinely be a case of simply trying to keep the scoreline down tonight such has been the gulf in class between these two teams. 3-0

  26. 21:17 #1663

    54' Game. Set. Title? Kevin De Bruyne makes it City 3-0 Arsenal as easy as you like, curling the ball past Ramsdale and that should be that. Awful pass from Odegaard to give the ball to Haaland who assists De Bruyne once again. 3-0

  27. 21:15 #1662

    53' HUGE save from Ramsdale! Haaland goes one on one again but it was not a clinical effort, Ramsdale got down low to deny the Norwegian. 2-0

  28. 21:14 #1661

    52' Kyle Walker holds firm and outstrengths Zinchenko to see the ball behind for a City goal kick. 2-0

  29. 21:12 #1660

    49' The outswinging City corner is dealt with but Partey can't link up with Martinelli on the counter attack. 2-0

  30. 21:11 #1659

    Xhaka's shot there was Arsenal's first on target tonight.

  31. 21:10 #1658

    48' Ederson is drawn into a comfortable save before some excellent defending by Gabriel. 2-0

  32. 21:09 #1657

    47' Akanji brings down Jesus just in front of Arteta's technical area. 2-0

  33. 21:08 #1656

    Back underway for the second half. Arsenal simply have to score next. 2-0

  34. 21:06 #1655

    Arsenal are unsurprisingly the first team back out of the tunnel after half time. Here come City shortly after...

  35. 21:05 #1654

    Could Emile Smith Rowe finally see some minutes tonight? He's on the bench alongside the likes of Nelson, Trossard and Nketiah. The second half is fast approaching.

  36. 20:59 #1653

    If this result stands City will be two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand. They have a Champions League semi final coming up next month as well as the FA Cup final in June against rivals United with treble hopes very much alive.

  37. 20:53 #1652

    City been almost perfect in that first half and Arsenal nowhere near at the races- surely 45 minutes for the Gunners to keep their title hopes alive. 2-0

  38. 20:52 #1651

    Half time: Manchester City 2-0 Arsenal (De Bruyne 7', Stones 45+1')

  39. 20:51 #1650

    45+4' A few players have lost their temper over by the corner flag after Dias was pushed over by White before kicking out at the Arsenal right back. No need for Dias to do that at all. 2-0

  40. 20:50 #1649

    Goal and an assist for De Bruyne who is quite simply playing on another level.

  41. 20:49 #1648

    Goal! The goal stands! John Stones is played onside by the outstretched leg of the Arsenal defender and City are in firm control of the game now on the stroke of half time. 2-0 to City.

  42. 20:48 #1647

    VAR is checking the goal...

  43. 20:47 #1646

    45+1 Great delivery from De Bruyne and Stones heads home but the flag goes up to Arsenal's relief! Stones just made the run a fraction too early. 1-0

  44. 20:47 #1645

    45' Foul from Partey on Haaland and a fantastic angry look from Michael Oliver to subdue Partey's protests. Free kick for City as we enter two minutes of added time. 1-0

  45. 20:45 #1644

    43' First corner for Arsenal- a number of players run from the back post into the middle of the box but Ederson punches away and the resulting cross from Saka is overhit. 1-0

  46. 20:44 #1643

    41' Another great save from Ramsdale this time to deny Ilkay Gundogan! 1-0

  47. 20:43 #1642

    *1-0

  48. 20:43 #1641

    39' Grealish bursts into the box and Holding makes a super slide tackle and wins a goal kick in the process. 0-0

  49. 20:40 #1640

    38' Coming together between Haaland and Partey and Michael Oliver stops play. 1-0

  50. 20:37 #1639

    36' Haaland driving into the box and his left footed effort is not far wide at all. Again Gabriel is turning his back and going one way and then the other, struggling one on one. 1-0

  51. 20:36 #1638

    35' Partey's long range effort curls comfortably wide of the post. 1-0

  52. 20:34 #1637

    33' An Arsenal attack goes begging as Jesus falls over in the box and the ball rolls behind for a goal kick. 1-0

  53. 20:33 #1636

    32' Half volley from Haaland but it's a narrow angle and Ramsdale makes a strong save at his near post. 1-0

  54. 20:31 #1635

    It seems like a matter of if, not when, City score their second. Haaland and De Bruyne are carving apart Arsenal's defence. 1-0

  55. 20:29 #1634

    28' Partey is back to head away Silva's dangerous cross. Great defending by Grealish up the other end to stop Arsenal's attack before a crucial save from Ramsdale to deny Haaland. 1-0

  56. 20:28 #1633

    26' Fantastic block from White! Haaland plays KDB through again and once again he makes Gabriel look silly but White throws himself in front of the shot from De Bruyne to keep the score to 1-0.

  57. 20:26 #1632

    25' Nice spell of possession for Arsenal before Martinelli fouls Rodri on the edge of the City penalty area. 0-0

  58. 20:23 #1631

    22' Poor header from Zinchenko and Bernardo Silva runs in behind but his shot is tame and saved by Ramsdale. 1-0

  59. 20:22 #1630

    20' De Bruyne nutmegs Holding and doesn't get round the other side of him to pick up the ball as the former Bolton man bodychecks the Belgian. 0-0

  60. 20:18 #1629

    17' Arsenal's defeat to City in February came after a defeat to Everton and draw with Brentford (yes, we were robbed). The Gunners come into this game off the back of dropping points in three consecutive games, so for neither match against the Champions they have been at the peak of their Premier League form, and you can tell in the way that they have started this game.

  61. 20:14 #1628

    Zinchenko stepping into the base of midfield at times.

  62. 20:13 #1627

    11' Grealish bursts past Gabriel down the left touchline as City counter attack. Gabriel does enough to stop Haaland from making his way into the box. 1-0

  63. 20:10 #1626

    9' Arsenal break at pace but Zinchenko is flagged offside. 1-0

  64. 20:09 #1625

    Haaland won the long ball against Holding before a nice bit of skill from De Bruyne to send Gabriel one way and then the other. Ramsdale was at full stretch but will be disappointed- it wasn't the most powerful effort. 1-0

  65. 20:08 #1624

    7' 1-0 to Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne gave his side the lead at the Emirates and he's done it again with a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner. 1-0

  66. 20:08 #1623

    6' The City fans were in great voice in the early exchanges but Arsenal fans now serenade their former defender Zinchenko in the away end. 0-0

  67. 20:07 #1622

    5' White slips through Martinelli who looked offside, but Saka's cutback finds a City man. 0-0

  68. 20:05 #1621

    3' Ramsdale gets to the ball after a cross from Grealish- Partey gets his body in front of KDB who is adjudged to have fouled the Ghanain. Nervy start for Arsenal. 0-0

  69. 20:04 #1620

    2' Space for De Bruyne to cross- straight into the arms of Ramsdale and VAR swiftly concludes that there was no handball. 0-0

  70. 20:02 #1619

    It was The Angel at the Emirates, and now it's Blue Moon at the Etihad, and we are UNDERWAY.

  71. 19:59 #1618

    I think I used up most of my ability to be nervous covering Arsenal Women's Champions League semi final against Wolfsburg in Germany on Sunday, but the nerves have set in now. It really does feel like anything but a win for Arsenal tonight could see their title hopes come to an end against such an imperious City side.

  72. 19:57 #1617

    The teams are in the tunnel at the Etihad with Rob Holding's hair continuing to look fantastic. Perhaps he's aiming for the Grealish look as the two teams eye each other up before kickoff...

  73. 19:55 #1616

    How are the nerves, Gooners? Both Guardiola and his former apprentice Mikel Arteta have tried to reinforce the notion that this game won't decide the title, but most of the footballing world seems certain that it will. Whatever happens, it's been a memorable season for Arsenal that has seen them already secure Champions League football after missing out on it in heartbreaking fashion last year.

  74. 19:49 #1615

    Three other Premier League games are underway and all goalless.

  75. 19:29 #1614

    Manchester City have won their last 9 Premier League games against Arsenal, including a 5-0 victory at the Etihad last season. Arsenal last won away to City in January 2015, when Cazorla and Giroud were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win.

  76. 19:25 #1613

    Tonight's game will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK, with kick-off in 35 minutes at 8pm.

  77. 19:19 #1612

    Martin Odegaard makes his 100th Arsenal appearance tonight. What an impact he has made since initially joining on loan from Real Madrid in 2021.

  78. 19:17 #1611

    Gooner editor @laythy29 on Twitter: "Someone sent me a shot of a picture I took from the press box during the last Premier League match Arsenal played against Manchester City here at the Etihad back in August 2022. Incredible to think of the progress Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have made during those 20 months".

  79. 19:15 #1610

    City's squad hasn't changed much from the one that won last season's Premier League title, making them strong enough as it is, but the signing of a certain Norwegian striker has taken their game to different levels. Erling Haaland has 32 Premier League goals coming into this game, and Arsenal are without arguably their strongest defender in William Saliba.

  80. 19:08 #1609

    The current Premier League table has Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City, who have two games in hand. Defeat for the Gunners tonight could be something of a nail in the coffin of their remarkable title charge.

  81. 19:03 #1608

    Man City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, B. Silva, Grealish, Haaland. Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

  82. 19:01 #1607

    Arsenal make one change from the dramatic draw with Southampton, as Granit Xhaka comes in for Fabio Vieira.

  83. 19:00 #1606

    Manchester City come into the game on a 9 game League unbeaten run, including their 3-1 win at the Emirates back in February. Kevin De Bruyne's lob gave City the lead midway through the first half before Nketiah was brought down by Ederson, with Saka scoring the penalty. However, second half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland won it for City as Pep Guardiola's side showed their dominance.

  84. 18:57 #1605

    Good evening and welcome to our live blog for the biggest game of Arsenal's season so far. The Gunners have drawn their last three games to put the Premier League title back in Manchester City's hands, but Arsenal travel to the Etihad at 8pm with a huge opportunity to regain control of the title race. Team news is just around the corner...


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