Manchester City put on a sensational show of attacking football to beat Premier League leaders Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium and make a real statement to their title rivals.
A Fernandinho double, along with goals from Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, David Silva and a Yaya Toure penalty fired Manuel Pellegrini’s side to victory.
And the Gunners, who had the returning Theo Walcott (2) and Per Mertesacker to thank for their strikes, were unable to handle their opponents, who were simply too good.
A scrappy opening saw Man City put the early pressure on the Gunners, who did well to stifle their opponents but they were rewarded for their good start with the lead after 14 minutes as Martin Demichelis’ flick on at the front post from Samir Nasri’s corner found Aguero, who adjusted his body shape and volleyed past Wojciech Szczesny from close range.
But the Gunners equalised when, making the most of a Toure mistake, Walcott’s scuffed strike bobbled into the back of the net via Demchelis’ head.
Negredo could have given City the lead again just moments later but his curled strike drifted just wide of the upright. But he made amends seven minutes before the break as he nudged home Pablo Zabaleta’s cross to make it 2-1.
The goal was a double blow for Arsenal who saw in-form defender Laurent Koscielny limp off through injury to be replaced by Thomas Vermaelen.
The free-flowing end-to-end nature of the match made for enthralling viewing as Pellegrini’s side pressed the Gunners high up the field, but an injury to Aguero, who was replaced by Jesus Navas, threatened to derail their chances of victory.
With 53 minutes gone, though, a 25-yard strike from £30million summer signing Fernandinho appeared to have given the Citizens an unassailable lead.
But Arsenal were reluctant to sit back and accept their fate and as such they peppered their opponents’ penalty area with crosses and through-balls. And eventually one paid off as a dinked pass from Ramsey found Walcott who picked out the top corner of Costel Pantilimon’s goal with an excellent controlled clip.
Unfortunately, such is Man City’s quality in the final third, the Gunners were unable to nab an equaliser before David Silva made it 4-2 by directing Navas’ low cross past Szczesny.
Prior to the match Arsenal had the best defence in the entire division, conceding just 11 goals in 15 games, but Fernandinho showed his class once again to chip in a fifth, before Per Mertesacker’s diving header gave Arsenal a third.
The thrilling affair was brought to a close, but only after Toure, six minutes into added time, made it 6-3 from the penalty spot following Szczesny’s foul on James Milner, leaving neutral fans breathless, Arsenal supporters exasperated and the Man City faithful dreaming of a second Premier League title should their team continue their scintilating form.
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