To put this into perspective, Arsenal are now five points nearer to West Bromwich Albion than they are to Manchester City: and on Thursday night, at times, it looked like it.
City took them apart in the space of 18 minutes. Scored three goals and then toyed with them for the remainder, conserving energy for the fixture with Chelsea on Sunday. They were so clinical, so stylish in the way they finished Arsenal off, it is hard to believe it was not part of a wider plan.
READ: Martin Samuel's full match report from the Emirates Stadium
After freezing in the defeat by Manchester City at Wembley, Arsenal will be looking for revenge in sub-zero temperatures as they host Pep Guardiola's outfit in the Premier League.
The Gunners were easily brushed aside 3-0 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday but have an instant chance of gaining some redemption when they face the Premier League leaders at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite fears the match would be called off due to the snowy conditions around north London the fixture will go ahead and you can follow all the action with Sportsmail as it happens.
If you are using the app, please click here to view today’s live blog
GETTY Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
Manchester City swept Arsenal aside for the second time in five days with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring inside 15 minutes with a delightful curling strike, and the second arrived swiftly after with David Silva slotting home a well-worked team goal. Leroy Sane effectively ended the game as a contest when poking home the third just after the half-hour mark. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandered the chance to pull one back from the penalty spot after Nicolas Otamendi chopped him down Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the penalty area. Pep Guardiola’s side are now 16 points clear of second-placed Manchester United.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
ARSENAL 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY THAT’S ALL FOLKS Right, I’m off to take three replacement bus services and embark on a dangerous icy walk to get home. Wish me luck! Incidentally, I’ll be back again on Saturday to bring you LIVE coverage of the Premier League. We’ll be kicking off with Burnley vs Everton. Night! FT: More boos from the remaining Arsenal supporters. They’ve barely had anything to shout about despite braving these artic conditions. 90: Two minutes of additional time. Hopefully Arsene Wenger will be pleased with that allocation after Sunday’s complaints. 87: Jesus replaces Silva. Good to see the Brazilian continuing his recovery from that nasty injury sustained on Boxing Day. 85: Yaya Toure is the unfortunate soul who’s stripped off and entered the fray. He’s on for Sergio Aguero. Doesn’t look happy about it…
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
PA Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
84: Poor Neville. Gary can’t stop complaining how cold he is tonight. Just described it as “ridiculous” in a scathing tone. Someone grab him a hot water bottle! 81: Save! Sergio Aguero spins his marker before forcing a good stop from Cech. Looks like the Argentine will have to wait for his 200th Manchester City goal. 79: Our reporter Uche Amako: “I only know Arsene Wenger's brand of football at Arsenal and this is comfortably the worst I've seen. These players don't know what they are doing on the ball. No ideas, confidence or belief. And they've been horribly exposed by team at the peak of their powers. City taking liberties." 76: Quite impressed to see Arsenal fans still in the stadium watching this. There is no excitement whatsoever. It’s freezing, just go home! 73: Arsenal fans screaming for their side to attack, but the boys don’t appear to be listening. They want to protect this 3-0 defeat… Kyle Walker limps off, Oleksander Zinchenko replaces him.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
70: Pep is going ballistic on the sidelines. And I don’t think it’s because his notes appear to have blown onto the pitch! His side have completely taken their foot off the gas. 68: A real toxic environment at the Emirates. Persistent booing, sarcastic applause but at least Arsenal are dominating possession... 65: Manchester City have saved 11 of the last 19 penalties they have faced in all competitions (excludes penalty shootouts). 61: Quite strange to see Manchester City gifting Arsenal all the possession. They aren’t bothering to pressure them either. Is this some kind of experiment from Pep? 58: Aubameyang looks for instant redemption but his instinctive first-time effort whistles past the post. 55: Chaos at the Emirates. First Koscielny plays the ball back to Cech but he finds De Bruyne instead. The Belgian can’t adjust his feet quickly enough and gives it back to the stopper. Seconds later Ederson cleans out Otamendi with a diving header.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
ARSENAL 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY - AUBAMEYANG MISSED PENALTY 53: Good grief. When it’s not your night, eh? Otamendi clatters into Mkhitaryan and referee Andre Marriner has no hesitations in pointing towards the spot. The centre-back is a touch fortunate to avoid a second booking, but I suppose there was no malice. Anyway, Aubameyang steps up… saved! Ederson dives the right way to stop the Gabon international’s fairly tame penalty, which was a comfortable height for the stopper. 51: City are happy to concede possession to the hosts, who aren’t really making an impression with their passing around midfield. 48: Jamie Carragher was saying that he was pleased Sergio Aguero didn’t make it four before the break. He feels sorry for the hosts. 45: It’s snowing as we get back underway. Pep Guardiola has the luxury of rotating a few players ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea. He’s not made any changes yet, but you’d expect a few around the 60-minute mark. Haha! The attendance has been announced. It’s 58,420. Still not the biggest joke of the night…
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
TWITTER ROUND-UP Gustavo: Manchester City play the most beautiful football I've ever seen. You’ve got to give Pep Guardiola credit, no matter what team you support. Ally: Arsene Wenger sits on the bench with his arms crossed while his team is down 3-0. Guardiola shouts instructions and leads his players when they’re up 3-0. Wenger lost his touch a long time ago. Clarke: Arsenal haven't played this badly since Sunday. ARSENAL 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY HT: Boos at the break from the poor souls who bothered turning up tonight. I hope they got a discount for this game, although I suppose Manchester City are well worth the admission fee. Brilliant stuff from Pep Guardiola’s side. 44: Oh, it’s snowing folks. There could be salvation for Arsenal yet! Saying that, would Arsenal really want to go through all this again? Don’t worry, it’s not laying. 42: Close! Ramsey is still plugging away and nearly gets his reward but several City players throw themselves in front of his low effort.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
39: De Bruyne leaves Kolasinac completely stranded before cutting the ball across goal for Sergio Aguero, whose flick is blocked by Cech. 38: Arsenal have conceded three goals in the first half of a Premier League home game for the first time ever. 35: This isn't even funny, it's just embarrassing. You sense Manchester City will dominate English football for years to come. That Carabao Cup win seems to have given them even more confidence, as if they needed more… ARSENAL 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY - SANE 33: Another scintillating goal for the visitors puts this game to bed inside 33 minutes. Liquid football involving Walker, De Bruyne and Aguero results in the full-back laying it across the six-yard box for Sane to prod home. Arsenal being absolutely destroyed here. Destroyed.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
32: Manchester City have now scored with each of their last six shots on target against Arsenal in all competitions. 30: Half-hour gone and it’s pretty much what Arsenal supporters feared. Manchester City have taken it up a few gears from Sunday’s win and look in the mood for more. ARSENAL 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY - D. SILVA 28: Breathtaking goal. You almost feel sorry for Arsenal because there’s simply nothing you can do about this. David Silva and Sane exchange passes on the left flank before the latter cuts inside and lays it off to Aguero. The Argentine plays a delicate first-time pass in to Silva, who ruthlessly converts. Floodgates open? 26: Close to a second. De Bruyne sends in a wicked cross from the left that Cech spills but just before Aguero can convert he’s flagged for offside. 23: Save! Ramsey, who’s undoubtedly been Arsenal’s best so far this evening, turns and strikes at goal with a nice half-volley, but once again it’s straight at Ederson.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
20: Leroy Sane has provided 11 assists in the Premier League this season; only his teammate Kevin De Bruyne (14) has made more. 19: Booked! Otamendi earns himself the first booking of the evening with a bodycheck on the breaking Welbeck. Xhaka steps up… saved! It was an awkward one for Ederson who managed to get low and push it round the post for a corner. 17: There isn't too much you can do about a flash of brilliance like that. I suppose Kolasinac could have been tighter. Time for Arsenal to show some of the old Brendan Rodgers character… ARSENAL 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY - B. SILVA 15: What a goal. That is a thing of beauty folks. Leroy Sane has no right to beat three Arsenal players when cutting in from the left. He lays it off to Bernardo Silva, who makes himself a few yards before bending it over Petr Cech. Familiar feeling this. Arsenal losing to Manchester City inside 15 minutes…
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
14: Saved! Mkhitaryan fires one from range but it’s straight at Ederson. Either side and that could have been interesting. Arsenal bright in attack but shaky at the back. Vintage stuff… 13: Sustained Manchester City pressure now. Arsenal fail to clear a routine corner twice and Bernardo Silva’s snapshot is blocked before it could test Petr Cech. 11: How close can you get?! Ramsey runs in behind the City defence and his cutback is smothered by Ederson just before Aubameyang could prod home. 9: This is like a pre-season friendly! Hardly any noise inside the Emirates and the play is virtually at walking pace. Top marks to the lad who’s brought his duvet. 8: These blue markings on the pitch are really tough to see. They are supposed to be there in case of snow, but there isn’t any! Ponderous start to this one.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
5: Arsenal having some early joy with the long ball forward to Aubameyang. Twice he’s broken the line but twice he’s been pegged back. 3: I’d be interested to know the attendance tonight. There are plenty of empty seats around the stadium. Manchester City have sold out their allocation. Fans voting with their feet or bad weather? 1: Annnnd we’re off! Can Arsenal regain some pride or will Manchester City blow them away for the second time in five days? TWO-MINUTE WARNING 19:43: Quite a few people have stayed away from this one. I think it’s because they want to listen to Gary Neville’s commentary, but I guess the snow could also be a factor… 19:40: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "It's always a mystery after winning a trophy, whether the players are still focused on not. But there are still a lot of games to play and they're tough fixtures. "Some teams are playing Premier League, then Champions League, and some are playing Premier League, then Europa League, so every game will be a battle. We still have to win games, not to wait to see what’s going to happen."
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER CITY 19:38: Quick reminder of those starting XI’s folks. We’re minutes away at a freezing Emirates. It’s the kind of night you can wear a snood without fear of being mocked openly in public… Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Welbeck, Aubameyang. Subs: Ospina, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Nketiah. Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo, Gundogan, D Silva, De Bruyne, B Silva, Aguero, Sane. Subs: Bravo, Stones, Laporte, Jesus, Zinchenko, Toure, Foden. BRAVE GARY… 19:35: Are Sky Sports trying to get Gary Neville killed? Fresh from his criticism of Arsenal on Sunday, he’s been sent out and about to interview supporters around the stadium. A few pulled him up on his comments saying he was too harsh and a few agreed with every word he said, but the most important thing is that he’s safely back in the studio now.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
NEVILLE ON THE MIC… 19:30: I’m sure you’ve heard that Gary Neville is commentating on the match this evening. Should be entertaining. The former Manchester United defender was highly critical (understatement of the century) of Arsenal's display on Sunday. "Ramsey. Xhaka. Ozil. You're walking on a football pitch at Wembley," he said. "Why are you walking? You're a disgrace. An absolute disgrace. "I don't even want to talk about them because they've been an absolute disgrace. Ramsey and Xhaka walking on a football pitch. Absolutely spineless." Can’t imagine it’ll be that bad tonight, right? HAVE YOUR SAY 19:25: If you want to vent your frustrations, or discuss any issues in the world of football (within reason), then get in touch! You can either comment at the bottom of the page or contact me via Twitter using the hashtag #ExpressSport.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
WENGER OUT 19:20: Mr Wenger didn’t take too kindly to fresh speculation regarding his future as Arsenal manager. Their abject display in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final increased calls for the 68-year-old to be relieved of his duties after 5 billion years at the helm. "I am just amazed that I have to always answer things that are exactly the same," he said. "I am here for 21 years, I turned the whole world down to respect my contracts. So I am still amazed that I still have to answer these types of questions.” So, you are staying? TWITTER ROUND-UP Gavin: The Arsenal bench really worries me! No game-changers in there at all. This is our main problem. We lack depth in our squad. James: It will be typical Arsenal to win tonight. No pressure on them. Then Wenger will bang the drum for mental strength. Martin: I'd love to know what Xhaka has on Wenger that he continues to start when he's an absolute liability, stick Elneny in there who will at least put a shift in.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
NO DRAMA 19:15: There’s no conspiracy regarding Jack Wilshere’s whereabouts. He’s got an ankle injury but should be fit for Sunday’s trip to Brighton. SO CLOSE 19:10: Sunday’s Carabao Cup success saw former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss pep Guardiola lift his first trophy in England. Hurrah… A second is fully expected to arrive with Premier League glory, with Manchester City blowing away all in front of them this season. They hold a 13-point lead over second-placed Manchester United and this is their game in hand so victory will only reaffirm their position as winners.
GETTY Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
WHY SO BLUE? 19:05: I see a few folks asking why Arsenal have painted their pitch markings blue. Come on, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to get this… Yeah that’s right, the move is designed to help the match officials and players pick out the lines in case there is significant snowfall during the game. Spurs initially did the same at Wembley yesterday, but the lines had to be repainted a lighter colour so the Video Assistant Referee system would work. TWITTER ROUND-UP Gareth: I’m here at the Emirates Stadium with the faithful/deluded in sub-zero conditions - why do we do it to ourselves? James: So Arsenal revert to four at the back. Begs the question why Wenger played three at the back for the final. Then again, pretty much all of his decisions now leave us asking questions. Tim: How Mustafi, Xhaka, and Welbeck start for Arsenal after those pathetic displays is bewildering. Manager fearful to change players, Board scared of changing manager, owner scared to change anything.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
TEAM NEWS - MANCHESTER CITY 18:55: Just the two changes for Pep Guardiola, who insists the Premier League is very much his main focus. Bernardo Silva comes in for the injured Fernandinho while Ederson returns in goal in place of Claudio Bravo. TEAM NEWS - ARSENAL 18:50: Where’s Jack? Mr Wilshere is out of action but nobody seems to know why. Quite suspicious given talk about his future at the club earlier this week. Arsene Wenger has made four changes from the side who suffered the 3-0 defeat on Sunday. Obviously there’s a return for Petr Cech between the sticks. He replaces David Ospina. Elsewhere Danny Welbeck, Sead Kolasinac and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was cup tied on Sunday, replace Nacho Monreal, Wilshere and Calum Chambers as Arsenal revert to a back four.
GETTY Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER CITY 18:45: The line-ups have arrived. As expected, Raheem Sterling and Nacho Monreal are both missing through injury. Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Welbeck, Aubameyang. Subs: Ospina, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Nketiah. Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo, Gundogan, D Silva, De Bruyne, B Silva, Aguero, Sane. Subs: Bravo, Stones, Laporte, Jesus, Zinchenko, Toure, Foden.
GETTY Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
SNOW UPDATE… 18:40: Despite numerous requests from Arsenal supporters, including a certain Piers Morgan, tonight’s fixture will NOT be cancelled because of the beast from the east. My deepest condolences… I saw Claude and DT from ArsenalFanTV doing the snow dance outside the Emirates earlier, but it doesn’t seem to have worked. Pitch shovelled, surrounding areas gritted and transport is no worse than it usually is in the capital.
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
WELCOME 18:35: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Manchester City. Anyone else having a serious case of Déjà vu? I could have sworn I watched Pep Guardiola’s side run riot against the Gunners a few days ago. Oh… Terrible jokes aside (plenty more later), we’ve got a serious match on our hands. The manner of the Wembley defeat in the Carabao Cup final has seen fresh criticism aimed at Arsene Wenger - who was forced to bat away questions over his future. In this rearranged league meeting Wenger and his players have a chance to show than can mix it with the best team in the country. Let's see if they can...
Jack Wilshere transfer odds: Where will Arsenal star go? Thu, March 1, 2018 Jack Wilshere is set to leave Arsenal – and 10 clubs are less than 5/1 to sign him Play slideshow Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1 of 12 Jack Wilshere could be set to leave Arsenal – but who will sign him?
REUTERS Arsenal vs Man City LIVE updates: Latest Premier League action from the Emirates
KOMPAS.com - Laga Arsenal versus Manchester City terancam tertunda. Hujan salju masih menyelimuti kota London sehingga ada kemungkinan duel tersebut tidak terlaksana sesuai jadwal. Arsenal akan menjamu Man City pada lanjutan Liga Inggris di Stadion Emirates, Kamis (1/3/2018) atau Jumat dini hari pukul 02.45 WIB. Dilansir BolaSport.com dari ESPN, London telah diselimuti salju sejak Rabu (28/2/2018) yang menyebabkan gangguan pada jalan dan transportasi umum. Kondisi ini meningkatkan kekhawatiran keselamatan bagi orang-orang yang akan menuju Stadion Emirates. Arsenal mengatakan, keputusan akhir akan dibuat oleh perangkat pertandingan dan pihak Liga Inggris. Semua itu tergantung pada perubahan cuaca menjelang pertandingan. Ramalan cuaca memperkirakan suhu akan berada di bawah 0 derajat Celsius saat pertandingan berlangsung.
(Baca Juga: Misi Baru Persija setelah Membungkam Tampines Rovers Diungkap Gelandangnya ) Arsenal mengeluarkan sebuah pernyataan kepada para pendukungnya bahwa cuaca buruk dapat mempengaruhi perjalanan mereka ke pertandingan dan merekomendasikan agar mereka untuk datang lebih awal ke stadion. Badan transportasi London melaporkan adanya penundaan yang parah pada beberapa jalur kereta bawah tanah, namun jalur Piccadilly dan Victoria yang paling banyak digunakan penggemar untuk sampai ke Emirates berjalan cukup lancar. Man City juga bisa menghadapi kesulitan sampai ke Stadion Emirates saat mereka melakukan perjalanan ke London meskipun kereta api antarkota di Inggris masih bisa berjalan dengan lancar. (Putra Rusdi Kurniawan)
For Arsene Wenger it has come to this. Frozen to his seat, in the bitter cold, inside a half-empty stadium that he helped build, watching his Arsenal team being taken apart by a Manchester City side playing the kind of football he used to oversee and now appears nothing but a cruelly distant dream.
Throughout this nightmare Wenger did not move from the bench, maybe he feared if he did the abuse would focus even more angrily on him. In the desperately icy conditions it felt like the end. Wenger was beaten. He looked devastated. He did not even make a substitution. It was resigned. He needs to go. It was a perfect storm on a treacherous night.
Arsenal do not even feel like a top six team anymore. There is the top five and then there is Arsenal who are marooned 30 points behind the Premier League leaders Manchester City and, more relevantly, 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with just 10 matches to go. Finishing in the top four appears almost impossible meaning that their only chance of Champions League qualification is by winning the Europa League, with AC Milan their next opponents.
Focussing on Wenger should not detract from the poverty of performance put in by his team or the brilliance of City’s attacking play as they carved their opponents apart with the skill of a master sculptor. Each goal was a gem; a master-piece in its own right with City just too quick, too skilful, too incisive and summed up by the graceful trickery of Leroy Sane. Even then, in defence, they put their bodies on the line in the way that Arsenal players did not appear prepared to do while City did not even have to play that well – as with last Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final – to beat Arsenal. They repeated the scoreline but it felt even more emphatic.
Arsenal had the lifeline of a penalty, early in the second-half, when Nicolas Otamendi fouled Henrikh Mkhitaryan but that was taken so carelessly by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that City goalkeeper Ederson made a comfortable save diving to his left. At the end Mesut Ozil slumped to his haunches, despondently, but neither he nor Mkhitaryan nor Aubameyang did enough. Not nearly enough.
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