Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday in a huge top of the table clash which will likely prove significant in deciding the title race.
We look back at six classic games between the two sides from over the years…
Manchester City 1-5 Arsenal 2002/03
Arsenal went to Maine Road and hit City for five. The Gunners, looking to retain their Premier League title, were 4-0 up in 19 first-half minutes and five different players scored for Arsenal – Denis Bergkamp, opening the scoring before strikes from Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira. Former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka pulled one back for the hosts late on, but despite the dominant victory, Manchester United would go on to pip Arsenal to the title.
Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal – 2009/10
The headlines were grabbed by City striker Emannuel Adebayor, who scored against his former side and ran over to taunt the Arsenal fans in this six-goal thriller. After Micah Richards put City ahead, Robin van Persie equalised before then raced into a 4-1 lead, with Adebayor scoring the third. Tomas Rosicky pulled a goal back for Arsenal late on.
Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal – 2013/14
Another goal fest between the two sides with Manuel Pellegrini’s City beating league leaders Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad to move within three points of Arsene Wenger’s team. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring, before Theo Walcott levelled for Arsenal. City were too good for their north London opponents and found themselves 5-2 up in added time, before Per Mertesacker pulled a goal back for Arsenal. But Yaya Toure extended the lead from the spot moments later. City would go on to win the league.
Man City 0 Arsenal 4
Arsenal enjoyed a memorable night at Maine Road back in April 2001 as a Freddie Ljungberg double helped them on their way to a 4-0 victory. City were far from the dominant side they are today but it was a fine performance from the Gunners, with Sylvain Wiltord and Kanu also getting on the scoresheet. Wenger’s side would finish runners up to Man Utd in the Premier League that season.
Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal – 2022/23
Manchester City thrashed Arsenal at the Etihad in a crunch game last season which saw the pendulum swing in Pep Guardiola’s side’s favour. In their head-to-head title clash City scored four which saw them move two points behind their title rivals and with a further two games in hand. A Kevin De Bruyne brace, John Stones’ goal and another from Erling Haaland helped City on their way to a huge win in the context of the season.
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City – 2021/22
On January 1st 2022, the two met at Emirates in a game which would be remembered for some late drama. Bukayo Saka put the hosts in front just after the half-hour mark before Rihad Mahrez levelled from the spot. Moments later, Gabriel saw himself sent off and in added time, Rodri won the game after a scramble in the Arsenal box. This left Arsenal in fourth and still in the running for Champions League qualification. City on the other hand were flying at the top, and went eleven points clear.
