Arsenal have made a statement of intent in the title race, after a 2-1 victory against fellow contenders Manchester City at the Emirates.
The win sees the Gunners edge just two points behind league leaders Leicester City, while City remain in third place four points behind their victorious counterparts.
In a cagey opening to the match, the visitors began to control proceedings and should have taken the lead on 31 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne flashed a shot wide, but could have easily laid a ball into the path of the onrushing David Silva for a tap in.
City would bemoan that flawed decision from the Belgium international two minutes later when Theo Walcott curled in a screamer from just outside the box.
And on the stroke of half time City gave the ball away, allowing Mesut Ozil to lay the ball into the path of Olivier Giroud who finished with aplomb through Joe Hart’s legs from a tight angle.
Yaya Toure provided a nervy finale after an outrageous left-footed strike on 81 minutes, which left Petr Cech rooted to the spot.
Here is some of the best reaction on Twitter:
Arsenal 2-1 Man City FT: Shots: 8-17 Pass accuracy: 79%-88% Chances created: 4-11 Crosses: 18-29 Entertaining. pic.twitter.com/e8NyNkyHRS
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 21, 2015
Pathetic from Yaya Toure..I would’ve taken my Under 11s off for walking about like this. #mcfc #afc
— Dean Scoggins (@SunDeanScoggins) December 21, 2015
All our Exclusive Arsenal news are assisted by Ozil… #AFC
— indykaila News (@indykaila) December 21, 2015
Emirates louder than it’s been for a long time. Arsenal fans starting to believe we can win the League. #afc
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 21, 2015
#AFC 2-1 #MCFC – £42.5 million for Ozil seems like a bargain now. Huge victory for Arsenal. Champions-elect? pic.twitter.com/u02w4Zm9MW
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) December 21, 2015
Phew. What a game. Huge win for Arsenal, who will be 2nd at Christmas. City fail to win in 5 away games. #AFC now PL favourites?
— Messi Minutes (@MessiMinutes) December 21, 2015
2 – Arsenal’s last two Premier League titles have seen them enter Christmas in second place. Omen.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2015
A disciplined performance from Mathieu Flamini tonight. He extends that remarkable record: https://t.co/96PZEhi7El pic.twitter.com/V80t7DWgTg
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) December 21, 2015
Yaya Toure almost got us a point. Last 10min were good, but once again we are let down by dreadful defending.
— City Chief (@City_Chief) December 21, 2015
FT 2-1. Scary last minutes. But we’re a mature team now and don’t make such mistakes. #COYG #ARSvMCFC
— ArsenalArena (@ArsenalArena) December 21, 2015
Really would be comedy gold if Arsenal finally get higher than United, Chelsea and City in the league and then lose out to Leicester City.
— The Man Utd Way (@themanutdway) December 21, 2015
Scoreline flatters Man City, we shoulda been outta sight before the 70th min. 3 Points, that’s all.
— P.O.P (@unbeaten_49) December 21, 2015
Arsenal now favourites for Premier League! EVENS #Arsenal 7/4 #MCFC 10/1 #LCFC 20/1 #COYS 20/1 #MUFC 40/1 #LFC Bet: https://t.co/1b3ak5My3X
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 21, 2015
Phew.. 15 minutes of madness.. Arsenal hung in there…75 minutes of brilliant football
— Ray Lee (@rayleee) December 21, 2015
what frustrates me about yaya is the way he couldn’t care in first 60 minutes then the real yaya shows up #mcfc
— Terry Hughes (@ctidbluemoon) December 21, 2015
Mesut Ozil sublime assisting both goals in the win, Silva – who is apparently a class above – hauled off after 70 mins.
— The Twelfth Man (@_The12thMan) December 21, 2015
Cracking game. City’s fightback to be admired but the Gunners took their chances and now have their best chance at the title in some time.
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) December 21, 2015
Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our latest video addition of O90 TV on Youtube so you don’t miss any of the fan cams, match previews, exclusive interviews, plus a whole lot more this A-League season.
Because we love football.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
