Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal LIVE – Haaland gives City huge win in title race

“I would not like to be Erling Haaland to battle against Saliba and Gabriel, to be honest. I prefer to read a book.

“To deal with those guys, how they do it, really good. The best two teams in England, I think it was a good advert for the world, for England, both proactive, attack quick.”

“His groin, I think, but the doctors said we’ll see. Do a test tonight or tomorrow morning.”

Man City boss Pep Guardiola: “That game gives us hope, that’s all. I said to the guys, enjoy the moment but don’t lose the focus right now. We have three or four weeks. I know what the message will be.

“I’m so impressed with the quality of the opponent, they are really, really good. People say we have momentum, when you see them compete it’s an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot go all season top of the Premier League and in the Champions League unbeaten.

“I know how difficult it is to beat them once, let alone twice in the margin of three weeks or one month.

“They were a little bit higher step than the Carabao Cup when they arrive nine points, ten points (clear). All the messages was that it’s easy for Arsenal and that’s why we had that margin that we keep, to be honest, today.”

“We lost an opportunity today but we have the biggest one now in the next five games.

On whether he needs to pick the players up: “If I have to pick the players up to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and semi-finals of the Champions League, I think I should be at home.

“It’s not needed and it’s never been needed, even in difficult moments.”

“Winning or not winning is going to come down to these moments, and there are certainly moments you need in order to achieve what we want.”

More from the Arsenal boss on if the performance today gives him belief they can still win the title: “I believe today, on Wednesday, a week ago, because I see them every day and I know the level that we have. But if they need to be more convinced, I think today they are.

“It’s a new league now. They have a game in hand, we have three more points of advantage and five games to play. Everything is still to play for so we know how much we want it. We’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again.”

“Very upset with the result obviously. We came here to win the game.

“I think the message was clear from three days before (the game). We came here to do that.

“We proved that we are there but the reality is in the two boxes today was the difference.”

“It’s part of being a football player at this level. You have to live with that.”

“It was a tight call but I felt okay in the game. I was a bit tired at the end. Hopefully I can stay in the team now.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard: “I thought we were really up for it and played a good game, pressed them really well. We looked dangerous in the second half.

“Small margins to decide a game like this.

“That’s football at this level, especially two teams going head to head like this.”

“I decided it a long time ago so it’s been emotional all season.”

Erling Haaland on his head to head with Gabriel: “I think if I fell on the floor, which I wouldn’t do unless someone really attacks me, it’s probably a yellow card.”

Erling Haaland: “The Burnley game is as important as this one. We need to focus and stay humble.”

“It’s always like this, a lot of fighting.”

Bernardo Silva on the win: “Very big obviously because it puts us in a position where if we win the game in hand we are level.”

The Etihad erupts at the full-time as the home fans celebrate an enormous victory. They move three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand and they are back in the driver’s seat in the title race.

It could be a fatal blow to Arsenal and Arteta’s title aspirations, they could find themselves in second place on Wednesday night and with just five games remaining.

Another City substitution as we enter the final minute or so.

Semenyo is replaced by Ake. Guardiola just wants to see this one out.

Arsenal have their chance and it is headed over by Havertz.

A great cross from Trossard picks out the German inside the area but he cannot keep his header down.

Arsenal earn a corner as we approach the final seconds.

An opportunity for them.

Arsenal are throwing everything forward with City defending for their lives.

The next four minutes could decide the title race.

Hincapie goes down under a challenge from Nunes either just outside or inside the penalty area.

The referee waves play on.

Seven minutes of injury time have been added on here.

There is still time for Arsenal to find a vital equaliser.

Rodri cannot continue and limps off after receiving treatment.

Gonzalez replaces him for the final few minutes.

Another City change as Doku is replaced by Savinho.

At the same time Rodri is down injured and may need replacing too.