Arsenal hold on for crucial win over Manchester City

Arsenal struck what could prove to be a key psychological blow in this season's Premier League title race as they beat Manchester City 2-1 to move to within two points of top spot. The Gunners managed just two attempts in a tight first half but scored with both of them as more majestic set-up play from the king of assists, Mesut Ozil saw Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud extend Manuel Pellegrini's side's away-day hell. The visitors have not won a league game on their travels since September and saw their hopes go up in smoke inside a significant 77-second period as Walcott's sensational, curving strike from the left edge of the area followed hot on the heels of a big chance for Kevin De Bruyne. City then contrived to hand the home side a two-goal advantage at the end of the half as Eliaquim Mangala gifted the ball to Ozil who picked out the in-form Giroud to finish with aplomb.

Leicester City may currently sit at the summit of the topflight, but most observers feel this was a meeting of the two sides most likely to lift the trophy come May, and it was the Gunners who came out of it with a galvanised belief. Arsene Wenger's men have twice before been second in the Premier League at Christmas and on each occasion they have gone onto lift the trophy. However, if the omens look good for Arsenal, they make bad reading for the Citizens. Yaya Toure may have ended the club's run of three away matches without a goal with an outstanding late shot from distance, but it wasn't enough to prevent a fifth loss already this term. They are now six points adrift of the Foxes and have to overcome history to land a third title in five seasons, as the last time a side recovered from so many defeats prior to Christmas to go on and be crowned champions was back in 1986.

KEY STATS The Gunners have scored in their last 11 league games, and have now scored 100+ goals in all competitions in 2015. Mesut Ozil has 15 Premier League assists this season, only five players have ever managed more in a single PL campaign. Ozil now has 29 Premier League assists in his career, as many as Eden Hazard but in 59 games fewer. Ozil is just five shy of Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season. Man City have kept only two clean sheets in their last 12 PL games, after not conceding in their opening five matches of 15-16. Only Harry Kane (25) has scored more Premier League goals in 2015 than Olivier Giroud (Vardy/Aguero also on 19).

(eurosport.com)