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Grealish has scored two goals and made three assists from nine matches since returning from the World CupManchester City returned to the top of the Premier League for the first time since November as they leapfrogged leaders Arsenal with a vital victory at Emirates Stadium.
The reigning champions turned on the power in the second half in the biggest game of the domestic season as Arsenal paid a heavy price for individual errors.
Takehiro Tomiyasu's poor backpass allowed Kevin de Bruyne to loft a finish over Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after 24 minutes but Arsenal deservedly drew level three minutes before half-time, Bukayo Saka scoring from the spot after City goalkeeper Ederson fouled Eddie Nketiah.
City, lacking spark in the opening phase, improved after the break and had a penalty of their own ruled out for offside against Erling Haaland before they showed a ruthless streak to punish Arsenal.
Gabriel lost possession to allow Bernardo Silva and Haaland to set up Jack Grealish for a deflected finish after 72 minutes before they ended Arsenal's hopes with 10 minutes left.
Inevitably, Haaland was the scorer from De Bruyne's pass to put City top on goal difference having played one game more than Arsenal.
Man City strike telling blow
City have returned to the top of the Premier League by striking a devastating blow on the long-time leaders.
City, by their own standards, have not quite hit the heights this season but they now find themselves looking down on Arsenal once more, albeit the Gunners have a game in hand.
Even here, City lacked their usual fluency in the first 45 minutes and Arsenal arguably deserved more than being on level terms at the interval.
And yet, once they moved through the gears in the second half City carried enough threat to put Arsenal away and return to the position they have occupied so often in recent years.
City gratefully accepted the gifts Arsenal offered and once Grealish restored their lead - a touch off the luckless Tomiyasu sending his shot past Ramsdale - this game was done.
Haaland's goal emphasised City's supremacy and they closed out the win with ease, the celebrations at the final whistle reflecting the significance of the result.
More to follow.
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Arsenal
Squad number1Player nameRamsdale- Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
- Squad number12Player nameSaliba
- Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
Squad number35Player nameZinchenko- Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
- Squad number20Player nameJorginho
Squad number34Player nameXhaka- Squad number7Player nameSaka
- Squad number14Player nameNketiah
- Squad number11Player nameGabriel Martinelli
- Squad number4Player nameWhite
- Squad number19Player nameTrossard
- Squad number21Player nameFábio Vieira
Manchester City
Squad number31Player nameEderson
Squad number2Player nameWalker- Squad number6Player nameAké
- Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
- Squad number16Player nameRodri
Squad number8Player nameGündogan
Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva- Squad number9Player nameHaaland
Squad number26Player nameMahrez- Squad number10Player nameGrealish
- Squad number4Player namePhillips
- Squad number25Player nameAkanji
Squad number47Player nameFoden
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ramsdale
- 18TomiyasuBooked at 48minsSubstituted forWhiteat 83'minutes
- 12Saliba
- 6Gabriel
- 35Zinchenko
- 8Ødegaard
- 20Jorginho
- 34XhakaSubstituted forFábio Vieiraat 83'minutes
- 7Saka
- 14NketiahBooked at 64mins
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Tierney
- 4White
- 15Kiwior
- 16Holding
- 19Trossard
- 21Fábio Vieira
- 24Nelson
- 30Turner
- 85Cozier-Duberry
Man City
Formation 3-2-4-1
- 31EdersonBooked at 36mins
- 2WalkerBooked at 34mins
- 6Aké
- 3Rúben Dias
- 16Rodri
- 8Gündogan
- 17De BruyneSubstituted forPhillipsat 87'minutes
- 20Bernardo SilvaBooked at 45mins
- 9Haaland
- 26MahrezSubstituted forAkanjiat 61'minutes
- 10GrealishBooked at 62minsSubstituted forFodenat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Phillips
- 14Laporte
- 18Ortega
- 19Álvarez
- 21Gómez
- 25Akanji
- 47Foden
- 80Palmer
- 82Lewis
Referee:Anthony Taylor
Attendance:60,276
Live Text
Match ends, Arsenal 1, Manchester City 3.
Second Half ends, Arsenal 1, Manchester City 3.
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Bukayo Saka.
Foul by Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
Kyle Walker (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Hand ball by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).
Ben White (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Phil Foden (Manchester City).
Attempt missed. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bukayo Saka with a cross.
Substitution, Manchester City. Kalvin Phillips replaces Kevin De Bruyne.
Attempt blocked. Ben White (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Martin Ødegaard.
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Erling Haaland (Manchester City).
Attempt blocked. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Leandro Trossard.
Substitution, Arsenal. Fábio Vieira replaces Granit Xhaka.
Substitution, Arsenal. Ben White replaces Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Goal! Arsenal 1, Manchester City 3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
William Saliba (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Erling Haaland (Manchester City).
Substitution, Manchester City. Phil Foden replaces Jack Grealish because of an injury.
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