Arsenal Overcome Rivals Manchester City In Crushing 5-1 Win

Narek Hambardzumyan

Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrating his goal against Manchester City.

On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Arsenal secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium, reaffirming their Premier League title ambitions. The win was defined by their effective pressing, swift counter-attacks, and standout performances from both seasoned veterans and emerging teenage talents.

The Gunners wasted no time getting the game going, with captain Martin Ødegaard opening the scoring just 103 seconds into the match. After taking advantage of a mistake from Man City defender Manuel Akanji, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice intercepted a pass and played Kai Havertz through on goal. Instead of going for goal, Havertz set up Ødegaard, who found the back of the net to put them in the lead. 

However, the reigning champions responded in the 55th minute when striker Erling Haaland headed in the equalizer, giving some hope to the Manchester City squad. However, that hope was cut short just a minute later, when Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey intercepted a misplaced pass from Phil Foden and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which deflected off John Stones and beat City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Arsenal kept their offensive momentum going, with another goal in the 62nd minute. This time, it was teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly who got the goal, marking his first senior goal of his young career. He maneuvered into space inside the 18-yard box and delivered a powerful strike that beat Ortega’s grasp. Following his goal, he celebrated by imitating Haaland’s trademark celebration, the meditation pose (shown in picture). In a Premier League matchup with Arsenal and City earlier in the year, Haaland sparked some controversy by telling Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to “Stay Humble”, which is likely where this celebration may have come from.

Arsenal’s fourth goal really showed off their impressive counter-attacking ability. Partey initiated a swift transition, threading several City players with a precise pass to Gabriel Martinelli. Martinelli then found Havertz, who, after several earlier misses in this game, slotted the ball home in the 75th minute.

The crowning moment came when, in stoppage time, 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, having been on the pitch for just a few minutes, curled an incredible left-footed shot into the far corner to seal the game. The goal included a sequence of 36 passes involving every outfield Arsenal player, showing the team’s cohesion and tactical discipline.

Arteta’s tactical excellence was on full display throughout the match. They employed a high press that disrupted City’s build-up play, leading to multiple turnovers in dangerous areas. The team’s athleticism and speed were also crucial, especially during transitions, allowing them to exploit spaces left by City’s advancing players. Defensively, goalkeeper David Raya had a great game, with many crucial saves. Most notably, denying Josko Gvardiol’s header and a deflected shot from Savinho, ensuring Arsenal maintained their advantage during pivotal moments. 

This victory has helped Arsenal’s position in the title race and also served as a statement of intent against the reigning champions. The blend of experienced leadership and academy graduates suggest a bright future for the Gunners, as they currently sit second in the league, only 6 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal’s next game will be against Leicester City on the 15th, while Manchester City will face Newcastle United on the same day. 

Editor’s Note: This article was written in mid-February.