Arsenal knew that only a win would do in Wednesday night's pivotal title showdown against Manchester City at the Etihad.
But the Gunners were demolished by the irresistible force that is Pep Guardiola's team, who are were already the red-hot favourites to pinch the Premier League crown before their comprehensive 4-1 win.
Kevin de Bruyne set the tone for the evening by lashing a low seventh-minute strike past Aaron Ramsdale to nudge the champions into the lead. A John Stones header doubled that advantage on the stroke of half-time after surviving a VAR check before De Bruyne bagged his second after the break to leave Arsenal's title bid in tatters. Rob Holding bagged a consolation for the visitors inside the final five minutes before Erling Haaland made it four.
