LONDON: Arsenal landed a meaty blow in the Premier League title race with a 2-1 win at home to rivals Manchester City on Monday that swept away a few more doubts about their title credentials.

Arsene Wenger’s side certainly had the swagger of potential champions as they picked City apart with first-half goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud while the visitors looked forlorn until Yaya Toure netted with eight minutes remaining.

Walcott gave Arsenal the lead when curled home a beauty from the edge of the penalty area in the 33rd minute before Mesut Ozil teed up Olivier Giroud to score his 12th goal in 14 games in first-half stoppage time.

Toure pulled a goal back with a first-time left-footed strike to spark a late resurgence from Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but they could not find a leveller, meaning City have now not won away in the league since September and have lost three of their last five on the road.

Victory took second-placed Arsenal, who have not lost at home in the league since their first match of the season, to 36 points, two points behind surprise trailblazers Leicester City, but four clear of Pellegrini’s side.

“I believe we have shown... spirit, organisation, brilliance and altogether they gave us the three points,” a beaming Wenger, whose side visit Southampton on Boxing Day, told Sky Sports.

“You could see that there is exceptional life in this team and when we did not have the legs anymore, we relied on spirit and that got us through in the end.

“It is too early to say to win the league but it strengthens our belief. You earn the right to win these games and it is important to realise you must fight for every game.”

Though Alexis Sanchez missed out again for Arsenal due to a hamstring injury, there was much to celebrate for the home side, who have now gone five games without defeat against City, including the impressive Ozil taking his tally of assists for the season to 15.

But it was a bleak evening for Pellegrini, who once again saw centre-backs Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi struggle in the absence of injured captain Vincent Kompany.

City have now lost five games and no side has won the title having suffered so many league defeats before Christmas since Everton in 1986-87, although Pellegrini was unruffled.

“It was an important game but we have 63 more points to play for so I think we have the same option to win the title,” the Chilean, who claimed his side played better than Arsenal, told the BBC.

“I am uncomfortable because we played better than Arsenal but we didn’t win and that is all that matters. We didn’t deserve to lose the game.

“When we had possession we had chances, before the beautiful goal from Theo Walcott. We took more risks and created chances, but you cannot make mistakes in these important games.”

The first half was an intriguing encounter at times, with both teams passing the ball around confidently, and Arsenal went ahead only after City had wasted their only chance of the first half.

Kevin De Bruyne, who was freed down the right flank by Sergio Aguero, back after a four-match injury lay-off, cut in on goal but could only flash his shot wide, prompting an exasperated look from David Silva who was waiting for a cross.

That decision was punished less than two minutes later when Ozil fed Walcott on the left edge of the penalty area and the England forward shifted onto his right foot and whipped a shot low into the far corner, beyond the reach of outstretched City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Arsenal’s tails were up and right on half-time they twisted the knife, Ozil — him again — releasing Giroud to run through and drill a low shot between Hart’s legs.

Arsenal should have put the contest to bed early in the second half but Joel Campbell blazed a great chance over and then stubbed an effort at Hart while Aaron Ramsey was also thwarted by the City keeper.

Toure reduced the arrears eight minutes from time with a goal of breathtaking nonchalance, ambling onto Bacary Sagna’s pass and placing a superb lofted shot into the left-hand corner as easily as if he was picking up a pen.

It ensured a nervy finish, but Arsenal held firm and go into the hectic Christmas period with confidence booming.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2015