Manchester City put Arsenal to the sword as Kevin de Bruyne inspired the Premier League champions into a 3-0 half-time lead at the Emirates.
With Freddie Ljungberg and Pep Guardiola both in need of a win in north London, the Gunners looked to have started brightly as Gabriel Martinelli almost scored inside a minute.
But Martinelli and Arsenal were immediately made to pay for that missed opportunity as Kevin de Bruyne expertly volleyed home a minute later.
De Bruyne then turned provider with a clinical assist for Raheem Sterling, and the Belgian midfielder bagged his second goal five minutes before the interval – and only a stunning save from Bernd Leno denied him a first-half hat-trick.
