Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1: Watch highlights Petr Cech error condemns Gunners to loss as Pep Guardiola tastes victory without playing a striker
Arsenal fans will be seeing all the worrying signs that their team are set to choke in another title race
PEP GUARDIOLA'S decision to play without a recognised striker paid off as Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling handed Man City victory over Arsenal.
It was a game of contrasting emotions for the two sets of fans with City supporters starting to believe their players are taking Guardiola's instructions on board and Arsenal fans seeing all the worrying signs of their team choking in another title race.
But just like at Everton, Arsenal came out of the blocks quicker with Theo Walcott side-footing past Claudio Bravo in the 5th minute of a first half dominated by the Gunners.
At the age of 67, Arsene Wenger still needs to work on his teamtalks as his side were steamrollered after the break.
Leroy Sane levelled things up with his first goal for Man City as he produced a cool finish past Petr Cech.
The German could have been ruled offside when he latched onto David Silva's ball over the top, but the linesman decided he was level with Laurent Koscielny's back foot.
Gunners stars such as Mesut Ozil could be seen walking around the pitch for most of the second 45 minutes as their opponents completely dominated possession and a City win started to look inevitable.
But Petr Cech will not be pleased with the manner in which the decisive moment came.
In the 71st minute, Raheem Sterling ran out of options for a pass and fired a low snapshot at the Czech goalkeeper's near post.
Caught completely out of position, Cech was unable to scramble across his goal and make a routine save.
CIty move up to second while Arsenal drop into fourth place, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
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STATS, FACTS, GOALS AND LOLS
- Arsenal had won six times in the Premier League at the Etihad before this game - only Chelsea have won here more often.
- City's players all walked out at the start wearing number eight shirts - in support of injured team-mate Ilkay Gundogan who is out for the season.
- Theo Walcott's opener was his fourth goal in his last four appearances against the Gunners.
- Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in 18 Premier League goals now this season (scoring 12, 6 assists) - that's one more than he managed in total last season.
- Guardiola had a distinguished playing career for Barcelona and Spain - but ended up on his backside when the ball rolled his wa midway through the first half.
- Arsenal are yet to go in at half-time behind in their 17 Premier League games this season - the only top flight team to boast that record.
- There had not been much for City fans to cheer in the first half - but they enjoyed seeing a man dressed as a Christmas pudding beat a snowman and an Xmas tree in a festive half-time race.
- Sane's goal means Petr Cech has now gone eight Premier League games without a clean sheet - that might make Guardiola feel better.
- Can right full back Bacary Sagna really turn a game? City were so much better once the French full-back had replaced Pablo Zabaleta at the break.
- Kevin de Bruyne must have been fearing deja vu when his volley hit the post at 2-1. It was his sitter missed against Chelsea that completely turned the game on its head.
- On the day he was linked with a move to City, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain lasted less than 13 minutes a second half sub before trudging off looking frustrated.
BIG PICTURE
Next five fixtures
MANCHESTER CITY Dec 26 - Hull (A) - PL, Dec 31 - Liverpool (A) - PL, Jan 2 - Burnley (H) - PL, Jan 6 - West Ham (A) - FAC, Jan 15 - Everton (A) - PL
ARSENAL Dec 26 - West Brom (H) - PL, Jan 1 - Crystal Palace (H) - PL, Jan 3 - Bournemouth (A) - PL, Jan 7 - Preston (A) - PL, Jan 14 - Swansea (A) - PL
SOCIAL SAYS
WHAT THEY SAID
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "It's [two borderline offside calls going against Arsenal] very difficult to accept in a game of that stature.
"But, as it is well known, the referees are protected very well like the lions in the zoo, so we have to live with those decisions.
"I want them to be very well protected, and I want them to be safe, but if they could make the right decisions it would be even better.
"I can understand City look very happy - I would be as well - but I think the goals are offside."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "The players have given a lot and it means a lot to beat one of the best teams after a good comeback.
"We dominated, and the way we played was the way we have been looking for.
"Since 17 September we have won just one league game here, against Watford on Wednesday, when there have been games we have deserved more. This time we won and that is why we are so happy.
"Seven points [Chelsea's lead at the top of the table] is a huge distance, and when a team gets 11 victories in row you just have to say congratulations but at least we are up there to fight for the title in the last part of the season."