Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal : 3 takeaways as City keeps the pressure on Liverpool | Premier League 2018-19

Manchester City suffered a shock defeat last time out against Newcastle United which, however, didn't cost them dearly as Liverpool dropped points against Leicester as well. The defending champions couldn't afford to lose any more points as they faced an Arsenal side who themselves had an up and down season and are desperately fighting for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Both teams had quality players upfront which promised a goal scoring feast at the Etihad Stadium.

There was a desperation about City, and within the opening minute of the game, Sergio Aguero put the home side in front. Against the run of play, Koscielny headed in from a corner as the Gunners got back into the tie after falling behind early. Though City had most of the possession, it was an end to end stuff then on.

However, towards the fag end of the first half, Aguero finished off a beautiful move by City to give the defending Champions the lead going into the break.

It was all City in the second half as Aguero wrapped up his hat-trick with a slightly scrappy goal from a pass by Raheem Sterling. The Citizens went rampant and could have scored 6-7 goals as the Arsenal goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, made a string of saves to keep the difference to just two. That was enough to seal all three points for the home side and reduce the deficit to only two points at the top.

Here are three observations from the game.

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#3 Pulsating first half at the Etihad

Aguero scored a brace in the first half

When Arsenal and Manchester City square off, it always promises goals galore and today was no exception to that. Both sides came into the game with different ambitions, and they needed points to close the gap to the clubs above them.

Pep Guardiola's side is fighting on all four fronts which sometimes takes a toll on the players, but that didn't reflect the way City started the game as they were ahead within the first forty-six seconds of the match. The home side kept up the pressure and could have increased the lead.

However, against the run of play, Arsenal, out of nowhere found themselves level after Monreal's back header found Koscielny who didn't miss from six yards out. The Citizens used the flanks brilliantly as both Sterling and Bernardo Silva looked menacing with the former finding Aguero towards the end of the first half to restore the lead for City going into the break.

It was a half that lived up to its hype and would be thoroughly enjoyed by the neutrals.

#2 Perfect response from Guardiola's men

There was no sense of complacency from City against Arsenal

Guardiola must have been furious with the way his side lost last time out against Newcastle United after going ahead so early in the game through Aguero. It was an example of failing to take their chances and holding on to the lead. However, the Spaniard made sure his instructions were clear, and it went the way Guardiola would have wished for against Arsenal.

From the outset, City looked threatening and could have scored a couple of goals more after Aguero put them ahead very early in the match. The Citizens kept up the pressure and got their lead back after Sterling found the Argentine again for his second of the night.

The second half was all about Manchester City as they looked to heap more miseries on Arsenal with Sergio getting his hat-trick after some delightful build-up play from Guardiola's side. Man City are second in the table at the moment and would want a decent run of results to give pressure on at the top.

#1 Psychologically devastating for Unai Emery's side

Emery needs to lift the mood of the players before their next fixture

Often, some performances could go a long way in determining the course of the entire season, and this game against City could cause a telling blow to Arsenal's confidence in their pursuit for the top four at the end of the campaign.

After City went ahead early in the game, Unai Emery's side got an unexpected equaliser through Koscielny. However, that was the only notable moment throughout the match for the Gunners as City dominated the proceedings from the word go and never looked to throw their lead away.

Arsenal was a victim of relentless City pressing and the sheer quality of their play. The away side could hardly put together a string of passes and often got pegged back into their half by the guile and movement of the City front players. Even Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked lost and hardly made any contribution to the game.

Emery's side spent most parts of the game defending which could often be mentally damaging for a team who are in a three-way battle for the fourth place in the league.