Arsenal relish City demolition as Sels shines while Liverpool carry on regardless at the top
Any successful title challenge needs a statement victory to install belief and reset previous concerns. Beating Manchester City must now be Arsenal’s foundation and not the zenith. Arsenal have played much of this season as if distracted by situations beyond their control – referees, their rivals’ dispositions and their relative luck with injuries. The second-half performance was a reminder of how Mikel Arteta previously took Arsenal to the verge of title wins, playing high-grade attacking football, pressing their opponents into mistakes. Has the high-quality football returned at the right time? Arteta’s team maintained discipline, not rising to provocations before taking advantage of City’s malfunctions to run in five goals. All without Bukayo Saka, whose loss was supposed to be the end of the affair. In Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, both on the scoresheet, the next generation made its contribution on a perfect Sunday for club and manager. One to celebrate and build on, not bask in. John Brewin
Match report: Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City
Match report: Brentford 0-2 Tottenham
Match report: Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace
Match report: Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa
Match report: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Match report: Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
Match report: Everton 4-0 Leicester
Match report: Newcastle 1-2 Fulham
Match report: Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton
Continue reading...