Man City hit top form against Luton(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Man City fire clear Arsenal warning as Premier League title reality emerges for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal news as the Gunners sent title message with imperious Manchester City flexing their muscles

29 Feb 2024, 02:00 by Tom Coley · football.london

Pep Guardiola's message was clear: Be warned. Manchester City have arrived.

If they hadn't already - and a run of one defeat and 16 wins in 19 games across all competitions since December 6 suggests that they had - then last year's Premier League champions have shown that they are now well and truly back. Since the loss against Aston Villa nearly three months ago, only Crystal Palace and Chelsea have stopped City from winning.

Given that Liverpool top the table, and wins over Everton, Bournemouth, and Brentford (both home and way, in truth) were somewhat scrappy, City have slightly gone under the radar. The narrative has been that the league - namely Liverpool and Arsenal - are waiting for them to hit their peak.

Meanwhile, City have done just that. On paper, they are a good run in March away from winning a fourth title in a row.

That is not a reality that many like to imagine, especially not fans of the Gunners and the Reds - who continue to fight so valiantly - but logic says it is the truth. City face Manchester United, Liverpool, Brighton, and Arsenal before April Fool's Day. If they are within, say, four points of the top with eight games to go, it will be tough to stop them.

Currently, the gap is just one point to Liverpool, and Arsenal are just one further back in third. Playing killer rather than prey may well aid Mikel Arteta's side but, having been the dominant side in the league in 2024, there is a sense of dread. City fully arrived on Tuesday night against Luton in a way unlike anything they have shown all season.

Arsenal have been dropping performances and results like the 6-2 hammering of Rob Edwards' side at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday for the last month, but there is an element to City's game that cannot be ignored. With Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland combining for four goals on the night, possibly the best striker and midfielder on the planet are linking up again.

For De Bruyne it is now a truly staggering two goals and nine assists this season in just five starts and ten total appearances. Haaland's personal tally is 23 from 21 starts. If they both get through to May, then Arsenal's challenge just got a bit tougher.

They have, quite simply, the sort of quality that simply cannot be matched on any given day. Although battering Luton is not necessarily anything too much to worry about for Arsenal - the title is still in their hands, regardless - it goes to show just what City are capable of, and that is something to be feared.

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp community

Sign up to our Arsenal WhatsApp community and get all the latest breaking news and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers direct to your phone.

By signing up to this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens.

To join our Arsenal community, all you have to do is click this link and you can join!