Pep Guardiola’s battlers answer critics in gunning down Arsenal

Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1: Manchester City took three points off title rivals Arsenal and the manner and spirit of the victory will give a huge lift to Pep Guardiola’s Blue revolution.

Stifled going forward and soft at the back, City trailed to Theo Walcott’s fifth-minute goal at half-time and looked to be heading for the sort of defeat so familiar over the past few weeks.

But they hit back with a first City goal for Leroy Sane and went on to dominate the second-half with a fierce and determined performance that deserved Raheem Sterling’s winner in the 71st minute.