The 'old' normal: Man City stroll past Arsenal again as worries fade ahead of tougher Champions League tests

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Some things never change. Even in these unprecedented times, Manchester City always beat Arsenal.

That’s now seven straight wins against the Londoners and, amid the surreal circumstances of post-coronavirus football, it’s trend never looked like being bucked. Not even with Mikel Arteta in the opposite dugout to Pep Guardiola and all his inside knowledge of three and a half years at the Etihad.

Arsenal looked as soft-centred as they ever have in a 3-0 defeat.

David Luiz at his most calamitous. In just 25 minutes after coming on for the injured Pablo Mari, the Brazilian was an accident waiting to happen. Bernd Leno was the only reason the game wasn’t over before half-time.

Arteta could point to significant mitigation of injuries to Granit Xhaka and Mari after just 24 minutes – but his side were still too easily opened up by Kevin de Bruyne’s vision, Raheem Sterling’s movement and David Silva’s cunning.

Sterling’s goal in first-half stoppage time at least gave City the lead their dominance deserved – and when David Luiz brought down Riyad Mahrez in the box just after the break to earn himself a red card and the home side a penalty, it felt like old times again.

De Bruyne scored from the spot as the Arsenal defender slumped his way along the touchline. He had also been culpable for City’s first when failing to cut out De Bruyne’s pass to Sterling. Imagine what damage he could have done if he had been on from the start?

Phil Foden came off the bench to complete the scoring in stoppage time after another substitute, Sergio Aguero, hit the post.

PA

Guardiola admitted he had no idea what to expect from his players after three months of inaction – and he may still be wondering what shape they are in after this stroll. Was this City back to their slickest – or a gift of three points against a woeful Arsenal?

The coming days and weeks will answer that, but at least his players still displayed the ruthlessness to exploit such insipid opponents.

Notably, Sterling looked sharp after enduring a goal drought prior to lockdown that lasted 12 games. Save for a wayward effort when one-on-one with Leno before his opener, it was a near-faultless display. His darting runs down the side of the centre-backs were too clever for Arsenal.

His volleyed finish evidence of his unflinching confidence and willingness to keep getting into dangerous areas.

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The Premier League title may be all but gone, but there is still plenty to play for City to play for and an in-form Sterling will be vital to their chances of finally conquering Europe.

Guardiola insists the Champions League and a second leg against Real Madrid isn’t in his thoughts – but the remaining Premier League fixtures feel like warm-ups for the competition that really counts this season.

And when it comes to the resumption of Europe they can’t expect any opposition to be as accommodating as an Arsenal side that didn’t even have to worry about Aguero until he came on as a late substitute.

The Argentine was part of a ludicrously strong City bench that included the returning Leroy Sane – who was left unused – Bernardo, Rodri, Foden and Fernandinho.

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One serious negative of the night was the worrying injury to Eric Garcia after a heavy collision with Ederson.

The 19-year-old centre back had cruised through the game to justify to the high hopes they have for him at City – but left the pitch on a stretcher with his neck in a brace.

The long stoppage led to 11 minutes of injury time and more pain for Arsenal as Foden struck.

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