Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City

Pep Guardiola's side moved ahead of Arsenal into top spot in the Premier League after beating the Gunners 3-1 in an absorbing clash on Wednesday evening.

A first half goal from Kevin De Bruyne put the visitors ahead, prior to Bukayo Saka levelling from the spot 180 seconds before the interval.

City showed their pedigree against an Arsenal side that refused to be cowed by their talents, when second half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland sealed what could be a crucial victory in this season's title race.

Thomas Partey was absent with a muscular injury, that saw new January signing Jorginho take his place in a hectic midfield. The former Chelsea player showing good early touches amid a range of positioning to supplement colleagues, as well as a perceptive through ball to Eddie Nketiah, which, while failing to materialise into a full blown chance was indicative of what the Brazil-born Italian international is capable of in the red and white of his new team.

While City emerged victorious after the side's FA Cup fourth round clash at the end of last month, albeit against a weakened Gunners side - Arteta refusing to show his hand completely during the 1-0 loss at the Etihad - it was clear the home side were again using the same tactics. In effect this meant attempting to prevent the ball going out to wide dangermen, who could then provide the beast that is Haaland from capitalising in the middle.

So, while it was attacker De Bruyne that made the difference in the 24th minute, it has to be said the goal came more from a moment of pure skill after capitalising on an error, rather than any inherent tactical masterstroke from the visitors.

In his starting XI Arteta had surprisingly opted for Takehiro Tomiyasu, instead of usual right-back Ben White, who the Gunners boss deemed better able to thwart danger from the flanks played the ball back to keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Yet the backpass was too soft, and the Belgian international cleverly anticipated to deftly lift the ball over the onrushing former Sheffield United netminder, and into the net to make the score 1-0 to Guardiola's side.

However, Arteta's Arsenal were worthy Premier League leaders for a long spell this winter, and showed character to press the visitors back in a bid to dominate them.

With the home crowd furious at City keeper Ederson's perceived timewasting tactics, Arsenal rattled the City backline.

Nketiah chased a through ball before edging it past the bearded Brazilian only for Nathan Are to clear off the line. The real drama was VAR ruling that the City goalkeeper had fouled the 23-year-old Arsenal striker, prompting referee Antony Taylor to point to the spot.

With millions looking on around the world amid great tension in this North London stadium, Saka proved to be the coolest customer in N5 by calmly slotting home, sending Ederson the wrong way in the process to make it 1-1. Cue pandemonium amid red flares being released in the Clock End as the home support erupted in joy.

With six additional minutes announced as the rain came down, City nearly went ahead again, Ake thudding the bar, after Tomiayshu's header failed to clear the danger, prior to Ramsdale fisting the ball away.

The second half was equally as absorbing. VAR correctly ruled that Taylor's award of a penalty to City should be rescinded after Halland was ruled offside as the ball was played to him.

Arsenal pressed City but couldn't break the visitors rearguard down. Something had to give.

With 18 minutes remaining Grealish, who had been booked for dissent, fired past Ramsdale to make it 2-1, via a crucial deflection by Tomiyashu after first Silva, then Haaland threaded the ball through the Gunners defence to the £100m man.

Haaling made the game safe with eight minutes remaining when he fired past Ramsdale after De Bruyne squared, following Silva's drive into the box to make it 3-1.

There is an awful long way to go this season, but you can't help feeling that City leapfrogging Arsenal into top spot is a momentous move in this season's title race.