Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal: What have we learned as Pep Guardiola's side claim pole position to defend their Premier League crown?

With all eyes across Europe on the Etihad on Wednesday night, Manchester City climbed into pole position to defend their Premier League crown as they won a stunning 4-1 game against Arsenal.

Knowing they faced a season-ending home showdown, Pep Guardiola's side took just seven minutes to open the scoring as Kevin De Bruyne produced a wonderfully placed effort past an Aaron Helpless Ramsdale.

Now sitting just two points behind their title rivals and establishing what was a crucial marker here, City didn't look back either side of the half-time break as the England international John Stones saw his imposing head lightly rewarded. after a long VAR check.

While Rob Holding may have finally snatched the Gunners a consolation strike outside North London, it was De Bruyne and a certain Erling Haaland who grabbed the headlines midweek.< /p>

With City's iconic attacking duo finding the net after returning from half-time, it's hard to underestimate just how important Wednesday's victory will be in Guardiola's bid to write more history national this season.

Watching Arsenal now endure a four-game Premier League winless streak and Mikel Arteta's young side showing signs of a side stuttering over the finish line, it certainly seems like all the momentum is with the reigning champions.

On a night that could have decided the direction of the Premier League title in 2023, what did we learn from Wednesday's heavyweight battle in Manchester?

City take pole position to make more Premier League history in 2023

While Manchester City may have shown some worrying domestic inconsistency either side of the World Cup winter break, Guardiola's super side have certainly found the best kit at a crucial time in the season.< /p>

Continuing only on what has been a remarkable purple stain, the Sky Blues are now unbeaten in each of their last 17 appearances in all competitions - a streak dating back to a 1-0 loss to Tottenham on February 5.

Having their ticket to the Champions League semi-final on April 19 as they headed to a 4-1 tie against German giants Bayern Munich, the former Barcelona boss now has his sights set on to make history in 2023.

With an FA Cup final showdown against local rivals Manchester United now scheduled for June 3, Wednesday's hosts are certainly aiming to complete a famous silverware sweep over the coming weeks.

Gaining a truly fearsome reputation for free-scoring performances at the Etihad, Sky Blues have also bagged 28 points in their last 10 Premier League outings.

Now sitting just two points behind a stuttering Gunners and still holding two games in hand, City really have a wonderful chance of securing a domestic and European double this season.

KDB and Haaland are already one of the Premier League's biggest partnerships

If Manchester City are to continue defending their Premier League this season, there is no doubt that two of Guardiola's attacking superstars will be in the headlines.

Forming what has been a record partnership since Haaland arrived at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund last summer, De Bruyne and the Norwegian City icon were certainly at their clinical best here.

With De Bruyne finding the net either side of half-time with a pair of sublime finishes, the Belgian playmaker also extended his remarkable record against Arsenal.

In fact, the 31-year-old has scored eight goals in his 11 appearances against the Gunners - his best return against Premier League opponents.

While the ex-Chelsea star may have pulled the strings on Wednesday night, there was still time for Haaland to score his 33rd high-flying strike of the season as he heads for the 2023 Golden Boot .

Already forming what has quickly become one of the Premier League's greatest attacking partnerships, De Bruyne and Haaland will be looking to finish City's bid to sweep the silverware.

Arsenal's defensive issues become a huge headache for Arteta

While Arsenal might have made the trip to Manchester on Wednesday night holding a five-point margin over the defending champions, Arteta's young side would have always known they faced a monumental challenge ahead. the Etihad.

While Arteta himself may have won five pieces of silverware during his tenure alongside Guardiola, the 41-year-old will have a real headache over his side's rather glaring defensive issues either side of the March international break.

While the Gunners may have finally staged a stunning return to north London last week as they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against major relegation scrappers Southampton, Wednesday's guests certainly stutter...