An early goal by Kevin De Bruyne followed by a John Stones header moments before the break ensured Manchester City went into the half time interval 2-0 up against Arsenal.

City's movement on and off the ball, allied with their attacking prowess spearheaded by the beast that is Erling Haaland meant a challenging opening 45 minutes for the Gunners. 

De Bruyne then made it 3-0 early in the second half to kill the game, prior to Rob Holding firing a late consolation for the Gunners.

There was still time for Haaling to fire home and make the final score 4-1.

The 3,000 Arsenal supporters sing their hearts out here at Manchester City in recognition of the team’s efforts throughout this season. Kudos to every single one of them in the away end tonight for such outstanding support pic.twitter.com/LmdSxcUG92

— Layth (@laythy29) April 26, 2023

Preamble

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal travelled to the North West to take on Manchester City in a season-defining clash at the Etihad on Tuesday evening. 

Pep Guardiola's side started the match in second place, five points behind the league leaders from North London, albeit with two games in hand. 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BT Sport said before the game: "It is different as it is the top two in the Premier League that have been fighting for many months. It is a really important game. It is not decisive, especially in this league, with the amount of points still to play for. We want to win it but we have to earn it.

"Granit Xhaka has been really important throughout the season. Since I have been here he has played every single game. We need that experience, competitiveness and edge. We are happy to have him back.

Arsenal team news

Gunners boss Arteta has made a single change from the side that started the 3-3 draw with Southampton last Friday.

Granit Xhaka replaces Fabio Vieira, who drops to the bench.

Arsenal XI: (4-3-3)

Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Substitutes: Tierney, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Trossard, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Turner.

Speaking before the match, City boss Guardiola said: "We are calm. Nothing much to say. Go out there and do your best."

City teamnews

Riyad Mahrez, who grabbed a treble during City's 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday drops to the bench as Guardiola makes five changes to the side that beat the Blades.

Ederson, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne all return.

As well as Mahrez, Stefan Ortega, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez and Julian Alvarez also drop to the bench.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland.

Keep tuned to the Gooner Fanzine for our Player Ratings from the crunch clash at the Etihad as the evening unfolds

Arsenal Player Ratings: 

Aaron Ramsdale 7/10 - A busy night for the Gunners shotstopper who proved his worth in foiling a potent City attack to keep the score to 2-0 at the break. Could he perhaps done more to prevent Kevin De Bruyne's early strike from the edge of the area beating him at his near post? Perhaps, but he earned his corn by preventing Erling Haaland a number of times

Ben White 6/10 - A challenging evening

Rob Holding 6/10 - A fraught evening for the Gunners stand-in centre-back who showed his character by refusing to hide under such an onslaught and deserved his late consolation goal

Gabriel Magalhaes 6/10 - A torrid evening but never gave up

Oleksandr Zinchenko 5/10 - Not as influential as Arsenal would have liked 

Thomas Partey 5/10 - Fired wide when well-placed. Relishing the battle with City including numerous tussles with Haaland

Granit Xhaka 4/10 - Off the pace but still battled gamely 

Martin Odegaard 5.5/10 - Never gave up but was overrrun in midfield 

Bukayo Saka 6/10 - Full of running but couldn't influence the game as he would have wished 

Gabriel Martinelli 5/10 - A frustrating evening 

Gabriel Jesus 6/10 - Fair minded City fans gave him a round of applause after he was substituted late on 

Subs:

Matt Turner,

Kieran Tierney,

Jakub Kiwior,

Jorginho,

Emile Smith Rowe,

Fabio Vieira,

Leandro Trossard,

Reiss Nelson,

Eddie Nketiah.