MAN CITY 2, ARSENAL 1
Resilient Manchester City produced a thrilling second-half display to defeat title rivals Arsenal and leap into second place in the Barclays Premier League.
After a lethargic opening half, in which City trailed to a Theo Walcott goal, the second 45 minutes was a total contrast as they hit back in devastating style.
City, who began the day in fourth place, were simply unstoppable as goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling brought about a turnabout in their fortunes, though there was suspicion that both were offside.
It was also the first time in 23 league games since 2012 in which City won having trailed at half time as they played with a purpose that had been absent in recent games.
And after the debacle at Leicester City one week earlier, City have shown steel by recording back-to-back victories against Watford and Arsenal.
City manager Pep Guardiola was happy saying: “It means a lot to win against one of the best teams in the Premier League.
“It was a great comeback, though we probably had more chances against Chelsea. Today we were unlucky and they were lucky to score first.
“It was a good game which we dominated. It will give the players confidence in what we are trying to do.”
Guardiola added it was important to win again at home as the victory against Watford had been the first at the Etihad since September 17.
He also pointed out it is important to stay in touch with leaders Chelsea, who he congratulated on recording 11 straight league victories, to be in a position to fight for the title in the latter part of the season.
As for the Gunners, there was further disappointment as for the second time in five days they have thrown away a lead as they also did at Everton.
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted it had been a “horrible” week and also complained that both City goals were offside.
He said: “We conceded two offside goals which is difficult to accept in a game of that stature.
“The referees are protected and we have to live with those decisions.
“We have had two good performances, but picked up no points. We have been twice in a leading position and lost both games.
“And to be at the top, you need to keep clean sheets.”
City made two changes from the side that started against Watford in midweek, Ilkay Gungodan’s absence through injury.
Gundogan and Nolito were replaced by Sane and Yaya Toure while John Stones was benched for a second successive game.
Arsenal made one change from the side that lost at Everton on Tuesday as Alex Iwobi replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has been linked with a January move to the Etihad.
City’s players came out wearing number eight shirts as a show of solidarity to team mate Gundogan who sustained a serious knee injury in midweek.
Arsenal seized the initiative take the lead in the fifth minute through Walcott’s fourth goal in his last four appearances against City.
Alexis Sanchez threaded a pass in-between Nicolas Otamendi and Aleksandar Kolarov before shooting low past keeper Claudio Bravo for his 11th goal of the season.
City ought to have equalised within two minutes when Sterling headed wide from eight yards following a Kevin De Bruyne left-wing cross. He ought to have netted his sixth goal of the campaign.
It was proving another frustrating afternoon for City and even Guardiola slipped on to his backside trying to control the ball when it ran out of play.
Chances were far and few between, though Walcott headed narrowly wide from a Nacho Monreal cross as the visitors went in search of a second goal.
City made a change at the break as Bacary Sagna replaced Pablo Zabaleta.
After looking out ouf sorts in the opening period, City were back on level terms within two minutes of the restart.
David Silva’s ball over the Gunners’ defence released Sane who slotted home from 12 yards his first goal for City following his summer move from German club Schalke.
Television replays suggested Sane was marginally offside s City enjoyed a stroke of good fortune.
City came close to taking the lead just after the hour when De Bruyne released Sane who was denied by an excellent save from Petr Cech.
Sterling then fired narrowly wide as City were suddenly reinvigorated.
It was then De Bruyne’s turn as his shot from 25 yards took a deflection, but Cech made an excellent save low to his right.
And it was no surprise when City went ahead after 71 minutes. De Bruyne’s raking crossfied ball from the left released Sterling on the right and he cut in before firing low inside Cech’s near post.
City made their second change with 14 minutes left when Sane made way for Jesus Navas.
And there was almost a third goal moments later when Navas’ cross was deflected off De Bruyne as it struck the upright.
City made their last switch with six minutes left as De Bruyne made way for Kelechi Iheanacho and they managed the latter stages well as Arsenal never seriously threatened an equaliser.