Live Commentary: Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City - as it happened

Manchester City strengthen their grip of third position with a 3-0 victory over Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium.

Each of City's goals came during the first half as Kevin De Bruyne netted twice, while also providing an assist for Raheem Sterling.

Arsenal had their moments, but they were few and far between as Freddie Ljungberg watched his side comfortably beaten in front of their own supporters.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in North London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.

6.27pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon. If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.

6.26pmThe full-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and the referee calls time on what turned out to be an uneventful second half. City wrapped up the three points as soon as they went three goals ahead in the first half, and this result takes them closer to Leicester. As for Arsenal, they remain in ninth position, seven adrift of the top four.

FULL TIME:

90+3 minArsenal 0-3 Manchester City

FULL TIME:

90+3 minArsenal 0-3 Manchester City

90+1 minThere will be three minutes of added-on time.

CHANCE!

90 minCity break forward again with De Bruyne threading a pass through to the onrushing Sterling. It's a decent effort from the winger, but his left-footed effort goes wide of the far post.

89 minArsenal are now seeing more of the ball at the other end of the pitch, but there is no pace to their play. City are happy enough to pack numbers into their defensive third.

CHANCE!

87 minAs the game continues to peter out, City carve out another chance. However, despite being given space to advance into the penalty area, Mahrez is denied by Leno from an acute angle.

85 minSUBSTITUTION! Guardiola also makes his third switch, with Zinchenko being introduced for Mendy.

83 minIt's still much of the same from City. The oles are coming from the travelling section of the stands. Their side will be moving to within four points of Leicester.

81 minSUBSTITUTION! A third change for Arsenal sees Willock come on for Torreira.

79 minAs the home fans begin to make their way for the exits, there is very little happening on the pitch. It's turned into a keep-ball session for City.

77 minWith less than 15 minutes remaining, City are looking to simply play this game out. Arsenal also appear reluctant to engage with the visitors, who are more focused on keeping a clean sheet than netting a fourth.

SHOT!

74 minWhile Aubameyang has his sights set on scoring from the left-hand side of the penalty area, his effort is speculative at best, with the ball trickling harmlessly wide of the far post.

YELLOW CARD!

72 minSokratis is the next man to go into the book for a needless foul on Jesus.

70 minSUBSTITUTION! There's no let up from Guardiola. Here comes Mahrez, who is replacing Gundogan.

68 minOuch. City work the ball to the left and Mendy's cross is blocked by Maitland-Niles's unmentionables. He's winded, but he carries on without a break in play being required.

66 minThe home supporters are attempting to rouse their side. In all fairness, they deserve some credit for how they have applied themselves since the break.

64 minArsenal have had a bit more joy over the last few minutes. However, that momentum is lost after Jesus picks up an injury by the corner flag.

YELLOW CARD!

62 minMendy follows his teammate into the book with a tactical foul around 30 yards from goal. Nothing comes from the set piece.

YELLOW CARD!

61 minSmith Rowe turns away from Gundogan on the halfway line, and the German decides to trip the youngster. East decision for the referee.

59 minSUBSTITUTION! Ozil is the next player to be substituted, and he strolls off the pitch seemingly without a care in the world. It's a carbon copy of the one with Xhaka. The German makes it off the pitch without reacting, but he then kicks a water bottle into orbit. Smith Rowe has been introduced in his place.

58 minLike in the first half, Arsenal have not been able to build on their fast start. The visitors are back in control in the middle of the pitch.

56 minSUBSTITUTION! City make their first change as Bernardo Silva is introduced for Foden.

54 minIt has been a lively old start to the second half, but Arsenal lose some momentum when Ozil miscontrols in a crossing position. It has been the story of his afternoon.

SHOT!

52 minCity go down the other end, again through De Bruyne, and Jesus is presented with a chance on the left-hand side of the area. However, the Brazilian can only shoot off target.

SHOT!

50 minAn opportunity now arrives at the feet of Torreira, with a first-time effort being sent wildly over the crossbar. Still, better from the home side.

CHANCE!

48 minChance for Arsenal! Maitland-Niles delivers a good cross from the right, allowing Aubameyang to get in front of the defender. However, the Gunners captain sees a header go wide of the far post.

KICKOFF:

46 minArsenal get us back underway.

5.31pmThe two teams are beginning to make their way back out onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. We are yet to see whether any changes have been made.

5.26pmA quick reminder of the two benches... ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, Luiz, Willock, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Lacazette MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Bravo, Cancelo, Garcia, Angelino, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez

5.21pmThe half-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and City are cruising to all three points. Arsenal are being booed off, although that is slightly harsh. They have simply been blown away by De Bruyne.

HALF TIME:

45+3 minArsenal 0-3 Manchester City

45+1 minCity are hunting for a fourth and only an important intervention from Saka prevents Foden from being able to get a shot away from inside the area.

45 minThere will be three minutes of added-on time.

OFF THE POST!

43 minDe Bruyne almost completes his hat-trick! It takes an absolutely outrageous save to deny the midfielder, whose curling effort from 25 yards was heading towards the top corner before Leno tipped it onto the post.

GOAL!

40 minAgain, it's all too easy. De Bruyne spins away from Guendouzi around 40 yards from goal and after reaching the edge of the penalty area, the playmaker sweeps a low curling effort into the bottom corner.

GOAL!

40 minARSENAL 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY (KEVIN DE BRUYNE)

39 minSUBSTITUTION! The Bosnian limps over, and it will be Saka who is coming on in his place.

37 minKolasinac needs a couple of minutes of treatment after that challenge, and it now appears that the left-back will need to be substituted. He has sustained an ankle injury.

YELLOW CARD!

34 minWalker was fortunate to avoid a booking a few minutes ago, but Rodri isn't so lucky when he goes in late on Kolasinac.

32 minAfter the breathless opening 15 minutes, it's all gone rather quiet. Arsenal need to start working the ball around with pace again. They are allowing City to get settled in their defensive third.

30 minOnce again, it is City's turn to dictate play, and they are now in no rush to plough men forward. To a certain degree, Arsenal will be grateful for the brief respite.

PENALTY APPEAL!

28 minAfter seeing a goalbound shot blocked, Guendouzi goes down in the penalty area. However, it quickly becomes obvious that he has dived, and he gets back to his feet. The Frenchman is lucky to escape a booking.

26 minThe home side get back on the ball, but their spell in possession comes to an end when a long ball is helped through to Ederson.

24 minFrom Arsenal's perspective, the game has gone very flat. City are doing what they do best and controlling the ball between their defence and midfield.

SHOT!

22 minGundogan looks to get in on the act with a half-volley from all of 30 yards, but the shot is always going well off target.

20 minTo Arsenal's credit, they look a threat each time that they go forward. You just don't feel like they will be able to prevent City scoring for the rest of the game.

YELLOW CARD!

18 minThe first booking of the game goes to Fernandinho for a cynical foul in his own half.

GOAL!

15 minGame over already? Maybe. City score their second as De Bruyne turns scorer to provider with a fine pass across the area to Sterling, who has the simple task of converting from six yards out.

GOAL!

15 minARSENAL 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (RAHEEM STERLING)

13 minYou would go as far as saying that Arsenal are having the better of the game now. The City full-backs are being very wary about the ability of Pepe and Martinelli.

11 minThe pace of the game has slowed down, which should benefit Arsenal at this stage. If City net a second, there's a feeling that this could prove to be a very long afternoon for the North Londoners.

9 minBack come Arsenal through Martinelli, who sees his cross into the area parried away by Ederson. Pepe runs onto the ball on the edge of the area, but the Ivorian's effort is blocked.

7 minCity are on the look out for a second, too. On this occasion, an attack down the right broke down before the ball could be delivered into the penalty area.

5 minWhile the home fans had sounded encouraged by the flurry at the beginning of the game, you can now hear a pin drop at the Emirates Stadium. It's a show of intent from the visitors.

GOAL!

3 minNow this is the perfect start! City break down the other end with Jesus getting in down the left-hand side. The Brazilian bides his time before firing a low pass into the penalty area which finds De Bruyne on the edge of the box. Rather than take a touch, the Belgian runs onto the ball to lash a stunning effort into the roof of the net!

GOAL!

2 minARSENAL 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (KEVIN DE BRUYNE)

CHANCE!

2 minAlmost the perfect start for Arsenal! Martinelli did well to hold off the attention of a couple of defenders before making his way into the penalty area, where he saw a shot well parried away by Ederson.

KICKOFF:

1 minCity get us underway!

4.29pmMANCHESTER CITY XI: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Gundogan, Rodri, Foden; De Bruyne, Jesus, Sterling MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Bravo, Cancelo, Garcia, Angelino, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez

4.27pmARSENAL XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Torreira, Guendouzi; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Aubameyang ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, Luiz, Willock, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Saka, Lacazette

4.25pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Arsenal and Manchester City. While the visitors are looking to close the gap on second-placed Leicester City to four points, Arsenal can move to within four points of the top four with victory over the champions. As the two teams make their way out onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium, let's see who features in each starting lineup...

Live Commentary: Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City - as it happened

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Teams mentioned in this article :

Manchester City

Arsenal