Jack Grealish hails ‘MASSIVE’ Man City victory as the champions topple Arsenal

Jack Grealish hails ‘MASSIVE’ Man City victory as the champions topple Arsenal to go top of the Premier League, while Mikel Arteta accuses the Gunners of throwing the game away

Manchester City landed a weighty blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations in what could prove a pivotal night at the Emirates Stadium.

The defending Premier League champions rode a storm to leave London with three points through goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.

The result sparked wild scenes at full time, with City leapfrogging Arsenal at the top of the table on goal difference. The Gunners still have a game in hand.

‘It was massive,’ Grealish said. ‘For me it was a great night, that’s what I have wanted to do. I have been playing well but want to affect these games. To score that tonight was so important and I am buzzing.

‘I was so in the mood and thought we had to win today. I don’t think we played that well, I think Arsenal were the better team. If you want to win titles you have to come to grounds like this and win games.’

Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday sparked jubilant celebrations

Jack Grealish described the win as 'massive' as City went to the top of the Premier League

Jack Grealish described the win as ‘massive’ as City went to the top of the Premier League

The England man put the champions back into the lead, scoring his side's second goal

The England man put the champions back into the lead, scoring his side’s second goal

Pep Guardiola lauded the character of his players and believes the City of a few weeks ago may have folded under Arsenal’s sustained pressure.

‘It was just one team on the pitch [in the first half],’ Guardiola said. ‘You have to keep the ball. We weren’t able to do it. Nobody wanted it. We conceded the penalty. Previous times we would be disappointed but we were still there. The quality of the players made the difference.

‘We suffered, we were resilient. People expect we win the league every single season. We will not. We want to fight for that. Fight for the crown. You have to deserve it.’

Mikel Arteta was left frustrated and claimed that Arsenal – who could have gone six points clear with victory – threw the game away. The Arsenal boss added that he does not know the severity of Thomas Partey’s injury, picked up yesterday.

‘If you give three goals away you give them the game,’ Arteta said. ‘We didn’t put big chances away. We have to move on. We lost it, I think we lost it ourselves. The atmosphere was incredible.

City boss Pep Guardiola praised the resilience of his team after a poor first half showing

City boss Pep Guardiola praised the resilience of his team after a poor first half showing

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right), meanwhile, claimed that his side threw the game away

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right), meanwhile, claimed that his side threw the game away

‘They’re all down. I don’t know if it’s experience or bad luck. It’s a marathon. It’s about tomorrow. The most important thing is how we are tomorrow.’

Guardiola added: ‘We are built as a team to go as a crazy team. When you wait, float a little bit, that’s not who we are. Second-half we were more aggressive, winning duels. When that happens, we are a better team.’

Asked what the issue was in the first half, when Bernardo Silva filled in two positions, Guardiola replied: ‘My tactics. Because I decided something new and it was horrible. We put Bernardo in the middle, we are not stupid enough to put him at left back.’

Meanwhile, De Bruyne was pelted by plastic bottles as he walked past a section of the home supporters when substituted after 87 minutes. The Belgian smirked as he ducked from the missiles.