Gunners run riot as Erling Haaland and Co face humbling

Arsenal produced a scintillating efficiency to dismantle Manchester Metropolis 5-1 on the Emirates Stadium.

The match sprang into life nearly instantly. In simply the second minute, Metropolis’s Manuel Akanji was caught dawdling in possession, permitting Kai Havertz to pounce and sq. the ball to Martin Odegaard.

The Arsenal captain made no mistake, slotting residence to present his aspect an early lead. The Gunners thought they’d doubled their benefit minutes later when Gabriel Martinelli lobbed Stefan Ortega, however the aim was dominated out for offside.

Metropolis slowly settled into the sport, and their strain paid off within the fifty fifth minute. Phil Foden mixed with Savinho, whose cross discovered Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, who had been stored quiet for a lot of the primary half, rose above William Saliba to go residence his nineteenth league aim of the season.

Nevertheless, Arsenal’s response was quick. Simply 38 seconds after the restart, Thomas Partey restored the hosts’ lead with a deflected strike from exterior the field that left Ortega rooted.

Within the 62nd minute, Declan Rice then delivered an inch-perfect cross to Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old showcased his composure and talent, chopping inside John Stones and curling a shot in off the put up to make it 3-1 – his first Premier League aim.

Full-time.

🔴 5-1 🩵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/y0YQBcWsyM

— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) February 2, 2025

Metropolis’s defence, uncharacteristically porous, was breached once more within the 76th minute. Gabriel Martinelli led a blistering counter-attack and arrange Havertz, who coolly completed previous Ortega for his ninth league aim of the season.

This aim not solely sealed the consequence but in addition served as a confidence booster for the German ahead.

The Gunners weren’t achieved but. In stoppage time, Rice as soon as once more demonstrated his playmaking powers, sending a chic cross-field ball to substitute Ethan Nwaneri. The 17-year-old surged ahead and rifled a shot into the side-netting for Arsenal’s fifth, marking his third league aim of the season.

The victory marks Arsenal’s first event scoring 5 in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League since 2003 and highlights the vulnerabilities in Pep Guardiola’s aspect, who’ve now conceded 4 or extra objectives in a sport for the fourth time this season – a report for a Guardiola-managed staff.

For Mikel Arteta, this result’s a testomony to his squad’s depth and the effectiveness of integrating younger skills like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri into the primary staff.

Because the season progresses, the win will function a major morale enhance of their pursuit of the Premier League title.