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Manchester City show Arsenal a glimpse of their past in scintillating 3-1 win

Manchester City show Arsenal a glimpse of their past in emphatic win
Kevin De Bruyne was man of the match against Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points after a 3-1 win against Arsenal.

Kevin De Bruyne put the home side ahead with a drilled left-footed effort from just outside the box and Arsenal were lucky to enter the break just one behind after a scintillating opening 45 minutes from City.

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City couldn’t be denied though and doubled their lead shortly after the restart when Nacho Monreal brought down Raheem Sterling which gave Sergio Aguero the perfect chance to make it 2-0.

Alexandre Lacazette – mysteriously benched for the game – got his side back in it with a fine finish past Ederson but Gabriel Jesus sealed the win late on when he converted David Silva’s cross.

Star man – Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City show Arsenal a glimpse of their past in emphatic win
De Bruyne opened the scoring (Picture: Reuters)

Barring injury, it’s difficult to see any player coming close to Kevin De Bruyne this season.

The Belgian’s been in imperious form so far this term and kicked off City’s win with a drilled effort past Petr Cech with less than 20 minutes gone.

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De Bruyne will always be judged by his goals and assists but to overlook his wider contribution would be unjust. City’s system is built around De Bruyne and David Silva in central midfield. The wing-backs are able to bomb forward because of the trust they have in their midfield in possession.

Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey couldn’t get close to the Belgium international and he’ll take some stopping from dethroning N’Golo Kante as PFA Player of the Year.

Failed to impress – Nacho Monreal

Manchester City show Arsenal a glimpse of their past in emphatic win
Monreal was at fault for City’s second (Picture: Getty)

City were in the ascendancy from the start but Arsenal looked lively going forward.

After a first half in which the home side could have been three or four ahead, Arsenal had to keep it tight and wait for the time in which City would retreat on a slender lead.

They lost that opportunity when Monreal pointlessly brought down Raheem Sterling in the 49th minute. Fernandinho had put the England international in over the top but his first touch let him down and his angle at goal had narrowed.

But Monreal clipped him and Sergio Aguero was giving the chance to double City’s advantage.

What surprised us? Dropping Alexandre Lacazette

Manchester City show Arsenal a glimpse of their past in emphatic win
Lacazette was dropped – again (Picture: Getty)

Arsene Wenger has lauded Alexandre Lacazette since his club record move to the club but he was left out of his starting line-up today.

It’s the second ‘big’ game that Lacazette has been dropped after he was benched for the side’s visit to Liverpool.

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Lacazette’s one of the few Arsenal players to have shown consistency this term and he must be wondering what he’s done – above some of the other attacking players – to be dropped in this fashion.

The Frenchman was clearly disgruntled as he came on for Francis Coquelin in the second half and almost instantly showed Wenger the error of his ways with a deadly finish to get his side back in it.

What didn’t surprise us? Petr Cech being beaten from the spot…again

Arsenal actually had Cech to thank for keeping the Gunners in it from the first half.

The Czech Republic stopper made a string of fine saves but there was an air of inevitability about City’s second when Aguero planted the ball on the penalty spot.

Petr Čech has failed to save any of the 13 penalties he has faced since joining Arsenal. #afcpic.twitter.com/6G7kYpfZos

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) November 5, 2017

The Argentine forward stepped forward and doubled his side’s lead – albeit with some help from the post – and it continued a shocking record since Cech joined the Gunners.

Incredibly, Cech has now faced 13 penalties since joining the club from Chelsea and he’s conceded all 13.

MORE: Eden Hazard explains why he craves Alvaro Morata connection ahead of Manchester United clash

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