(Football news) Manchester City defeated Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium, closing the gap to two points with two games in hand in a dominating performance. Kevin De Bruyne was a standout performer, scoring two goals and providing an assist for John Stones’ header while Erling Haaland scored City’s fourth goal while Rob Holding managed to score a consolation goal against the hosts. The result has all but ended the Premier League title race as City are now the overwhelming favourites to retain the title once again, making it three in a row for the first time in their history.

Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “Analysis is clear, the better team won the game, they were probably at their best, especially in the first half and we were nowhere near our level. When that happens, the gap becomes too big. In the first 30 minutes, all the basic things you have to do against an exceptional team in terms of competing, winning duels, understanding what the game requires, we didn’t do it and we got punished and we could have been punished even more.

“We wanted to tweak a few things but we were unable to execute. We have to be loyal to what has brought us all this way because we have done it in the past as well in different ways. It doesn’t guarantee you anything but it is time to look in the mirror as well at what we could have done better. We played an exceptional team but we are an exceptional team too and today we were not at the races at the level required to win the game. 

“We lost today and we have to accept we lost in a very different way to at the Emirates. The quality of the performance today was very far between one team and the other. I prefer to give that to the players. They were better in every department. They were more aggressive, kept the ball better, won every single duel, we had them in the corners and then with two passes they were through on our goal. They deserved to win the game because they were better.

“The way we started the game did not help us. We put ourselves in trouble in many situations. We lost all the first and second balls. That created uncertainty and we could not grab the game in the way we wanted, that’s credit to them as well because they were really good. I can’t follow the stats because the stats at the start of the season said we would be sixth or seventh. 

“We are where we are with five games to go and those players deserve a lot of credit to be nine-and-a-half months against this team being where we are and there are still five games to play. I have been in this country almost 22 years and I know how much it shifts game-to-game. First we have to lift the players because it is a difficult one to swallow. [We have to] accept reality. 

“That is the best way to move forward. We never had a chance to win the game. We have to improve, be better and be humble enough to accept that in sport if we are going to get better. We knew we would need our best as a team and individually. You need 11 players doing that. Today we were far from them.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said “I have a feeling the next three games will dictate a lot. Marco Silva has done amazing this season. We then have two games at home in West Ham and Leeds. I don’t want to anticipate anything but at home this season we feel comfortable. The next three games will be really important but, of course, the most important thing is our destiny is in our hands. Congratulations to all the players, backroom staff, an important game, not decisive, but really, really important. We played really well from the beginning to the end.

“They are top of the league, the reality is we’re two points behind. Of course, we have two games in hand but still they are there. Absolutely (I prefer) my position because now it’s in our hands. I would love that these two games are six points but you have to win them, but I prefer it because it depends on us. Until today, I preferred the position in the Premier League of Arsenal because if Arsenal had beaten us it’s in their hands. But now it is in our hands.”

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