Arsenal moved to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool by thrashing Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, who knew only a victory would suffice with Liverpool opening a commanding lead at the top of the table after winning at Bournemouth, responded by overpowering the fading champions in emphatic fashion.

Arsenal have played a game more than Liverpool, but this impressive victory at least means they remain within touching distance of Arne Slot's pace-setters.

City, as they had done against Chelsea eight days previously, gifted their opponents an early lead, this time inside two minutes when defender Manuel Akanji lost possession, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard then steering in Kai Havertz's pass.

Arsenal were wondering whether they would regret Havertz's dreadful first-half miss when Erling Haaland headed City level after 55 minutes, but their lead was restored within two minutes when Thomas Partey's shot was deflected wide of keeper Stefan Ortega off John Stones.

And the points were made safe after 62 minutes as 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly fired home his first goal for Arsenal, Ortega getting a hand to his powerful shot but failing to keep it out.

As City crumbled once more in this season of turmoil, Havertz made up for his earlier miss by steering a precise left-foot finish into the far corner past Ortega with 14 minutes left.

It got even better for Arsenal as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, picked out superbly by Declan Rice, bent a fabulous shot into the far corner.

Arsenal are playing the role of hunters rather than hunted in this Premier League title race as they try to keep pace with Liverpool's relentless form at the top.

If there such a thing as a "must-win" game in early February, this was arguably it as Arsenal knew they could not afford to drop points.

Defeat would have left Arsenal nine points behind Liverpool having playing a game more. When they needed someone to step up, it was teenager Lewis-Skelly who settled any lingering nerves.

Having excelled with some powerful surges from defence in the first half, he allowed Arsenal to establish a two-goal cushion with his goal.

Erling Haaland demanded to know "who are you?" when he clashed with the youngster at the end of a fractious 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium in September, when Lewis-Skelly was booked while warming up before coming on as a late substitute.

If Haaland did not know who Lewis-Skelly was then, the Norwegian marksman certainly knows now.

The manner and margin of Arsenal's win will surely fuel their self-belief as they try to chase down Liverpool.

And the second-half goal rush allowed Havertz to feel both relief and elation after a first-half miss, shooting wide with the goal at his mercy, that started to feel like a defining moment when Haaland levelled matters.

Instead, Emirates Stadium was a scene of raucous celebration at the final whistle as Arsenal's title bid received a real turbo charge.

Manchester City's alarming habit of crumbling was on show again. Just as against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last month, four second-half goals were conceded in an extraordinary collapse.

This was a side who won an historic fourth successive Premier League title last season. Has an elite team's form ever fallen off a cliff to such an extent?

City had brief hope when Haaland equalised, but their demise was embarrassing once Arsenal quickly restored their lead, manager Pep Guardiola looking nonplussed and powerless in his technical area.

The injury to Rodri in the first meeting between these two clubs in September, which ruled the world-class midfielder out for the season, is understandably cited as a pivotal moment in the season - but it does not explain the sheer scale of City's capitulation both at home and in European competition.

City were shambolic in the closing half-hour, Arsenal threatening to score every time they went forward, the final whistle a merciful release from the beating being inflicted on them.

They face holders Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs for place in the last 16. On this evidence, Kylian Mbappe and company will be licking their lips in anticipation.