CITY ANNIHILATES ARSENAL IN PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN
Manchester City defeated 10-man Arsenal yesterday at the Etihad in the Premier League’s first game in over three months.
The citizens reduced the lead at the top of the table to 22points behind leaders, Liverpool, with an emphatic 3nil victory against the North London side.
David Luiz was the game’s culprit as his errors in a torrid 25-minute added salt to their injury.
The Brazilian defender came in as a substitute in the 24th minute following an injury to Pablo Mari.
His error led to Raheem Sterling's opener at the closing stages of the first half, before he was sent off for pulling down Riyad Mahrez inside the penalty area four minutes into the second half.
Kelvin De Bruyne made no mistake from the spot in the 51st before substitute Phil Foden rounded off the annihilation to condemn Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, to a heavy defeat on his return to the Etihad Stadium.
Victory for City solidifies their position in the top four and means Liverpool, who is 22 points ahead of Pep Guardiola's side, will not be able to seal the Premier League title at Merseyside rivals, Everton, on Sunday.
Once the action got underway Kevin De Bruyne saw his free-kick tipped over the crossbar by Leno before Arsenal suffered a double injury blow.
Xhaka had to leave the field on a stretcher with what appeared to be an ankle injury just minutes into the match after colliding with Matteo Guendouzi, and he was replaced by Dani Ceballos.
Then, in the 24th minute, Pablo Mari pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by David Luiz before things started to go downhill for the Gunners.
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