City thrash hapless Arsenal

Manchester City yesterday made light work of thrashing a hapless 10-man Arsenal 5-0, a result that means the Gunners have lost their opening three league games of a season for the first time since 1954-1955.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, back at the Etihad Stadium where he worked as an assistant between 2016 and 2019, watched in horror as his team fell apart early on, with Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres giving City a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.

The visitors remained masters of their own chaotic downfall as Granit Xhaka inexplicably got himself sent off for a two-footed lunge in the 35th minute, making an already difficult task that bit more challenging for Arteta’s men.

City could then afford to take their foot off the gas, but the goals still flowed, as British record signing Jack Grealish set up Gabriel Jesus for City’s third just before half-time.

Rodri added a fourth early in the second half, before Torres scored his second later on to complete a miserable afternoon for Arteta and his side.

Another loss means Arsenal are without a point, or even a goal, from their three games so far this season.

“Arteta knows how I love him,” City boss Pep Guardiola said.

“In the two or three years he was here, he was important to what we built.

“People want results right away. With the players he had today, Ben White, Thomas Partey were missing, while many other players they invested in were missing.

“I know his awareness as a manager and as a leader, the moment everyone is back he will do an excellent job.

“I know this because I know him, I know the job he can do.

“Today we scored some goals that we didn’t deserve.” — Reuters.