City run riot as Gunners slump to third straight loss

Goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Ferran Torres, Gabriel Jesus and Rodri ensured a thrashing 5-0 defeat at the Etihad for Arsenal as boss Mikel Arteta falls under more pressure following a dreadful start to the season. 

City hit five once again in this week's early kick off, having seen off Norwich by the same scoreline last week, this time swatting aside a limp Arsenal, who have got off to the worst start to a league season in their history.

The visitors were coming into this one off the back of consecutive 2-0 defeats to both Brentford and Chelsea in the league, but with some level of confidence after their 6-0 annihilation of West Brom in the Carabao Cup in midweek. 

Guardiola's men didn't take long to stamp their authority on the game, however, and the home side were two goals up in just 12 minutes as a header from Gundogan was followed up by an easy finish from Torres who tapped in from close range following some abject Gunners defending. 

More misery followed for the away side as midfielder Granit Xhaka was given his marching orders after a two-footed lunge on Joao Cancelo. City made the extra man count and before the break added a third when Jesus converted a low strike after brilliant work from Jack Grealish down the left flank. 

There was no respite in the second half for Arsenal who found themselves 4-0 down after the restart when Rodri curled in a low strike past the desperate hands of Bernd Leno in the Gunners goal. With the game in the bag, City found a fifth with five minutes left: Torres completing his double with a well-placed header from six yards out after a fine cross from Riyad Mahrez. 

In a game in which the Citizens had 25 attempts on goal to Arsenal's one, it is fair to say that Arteta's Gunners were taught a footballing lesson by his former mentor at City, Pep Guardiola. 

City travel to Leicester after the international break, (11th September) to face Brendan Rodger's men, meanwhile Arsenal face fellow strugglers Norwich City at the Emirates, in a game which now looks a 'must win' for Arteta's side.