As Manchester City prepare to face Arsenal for the first time in the 2025/26 season, football fans are already anticipating a clash that could have major implications on the Premier League title race.
Both Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions and Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been among the strongest sides in England in recent years, and while the season is still in its early stages, every point could prove decisive in their pursuit of Liverpool, who currently sit at the top of the table.
Ahead of this high-stakes encounter at the Emirates Stadium, it is worth reflecting on the Manchester City biggest wins against Arsenal in the Premier League era.
Since the Premier League began in 1992, the rivalry between these two clubs has evolved dramatically.
Arsenal, once the dominant force under Arsène Wenger, were accustomed to regularly beating City during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
However, with the arrival of Sheikh Mansour’s ownership in 2008 and Pep Guardiola’s managerial revolution from 2016 onwards, the balance of power shifted.
In recent years, City have delivered some emphatic and memorable victories over Arsenal, producing performances that showcased their attacking flair, tactical intelligence, and relentless pressing game.
Below is a detailed look back at the Manchester City biggest wins against Arsenal in the Premier League era, exploring the stories behind each fixture and the players who left their mark.
Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal (December 14, 2013)
In December 2013, Manchester City produced one of their most explosive attacking performances against Arsenal, running out 6-3 winners at the Etihad Stadium in what remains the highest-scoring Premier League encounter between the two clubs.
City’s team at the time, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, was packed with experience and attacking quality.
Fernandinho was the standout performer, scoring twice with long-range efforts that underlined his ability to dominate midfield battles and contribute in the final third. Yaya Touré also made his mark, converting a penalty to add to City’s tally.
David Silva, deployed unusually as a left-winger in Pellegrini’s 4-4-2 system, got himself on the scoresheet, while Sergio Agüero and Álvaro Negredo each scored to complete a remarkable six-goal haul.
Arsenal, despite being one of the top sides in England that season, could only respond with three goals.
Theo Walcott struck twice with trademark finishes, and Per Mertesacker added a late header, but the Gunners’ defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed.
City’s clinical finishing and attacking intensity made the game an instant Premier League classic and set the tone for their dominance in subsequent meetings.
Manchester City 5-0 Arsenal (August 28, 2021)
Another game that stands out in the Manchester City biggest wins against Arsenal in the Premier League era came in August 2021.
At the time, Arsenal were going through a transitional phase under Mikel Arteta, who had only recently begun to build his squad around younger talents.
City, however, were ruthless. Ferran Torres led the line and delivered an inspired performance, scoring twice.
Gabriel Jesus, who would later move to Arsenal, netted against his future employers. İlkay Gündoğan and Rodri completed the scoring, ensuring that Arsenal failed to find the net on what was a humbling afternoon.
What made this game significant was not just the scoreline, but also the gulf in class between the two teams.
City’s positional play and pressing suffocated Arsenal’s attempts to build from the back, while their attacking combinations sliced through the Gunners’ defense with ease.
Arsenal 1-4 Manchester City (December 22, 2020)
December 2020 brought another landmark in Manchester City’s dominance over Arsenal. On that night at the Emirates Stadium, City humiliated the Gunners in front of their home supporters with a commanding 4-1 victory.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring within just three minutes, capitalizing on an assist from Oleksandr Zinchenko — another player who would later join Arsenal.
Alexandre Lacazette equalized with a well-placed header, sparking hopes of a competitive contest, but City’s superiority soon became clear.
In the second half, Riyad Mahrez restored City’s lead before Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte added further goals to seal a convincing win.
City’s ability to respond quickly after Arsenal’s equalizer showcased their mental resilience, while their attacking depth ensured Arsenal were constantly on the back foot.
This match was especially painful for Arsenal fans as it reinforced the narrative of their struggles against elite opposition.
City’s relentless pressure and ability to score from multiple sources epitomized Guardiola’s philosophy.
Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal (April 26, 2023)
By 2023, the rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal had intensified, with Arteta’s side emerging as serious challengers for the Premier League title. When the two teams met at the Etihad Stadium in April 2023, the clash was billed as a potential title decider.
However, City rose to the occasion with a masterclass led by Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
Within just seven minutes, Haaland’s physicality unsettled Arsenal’s defense, allowing De Bruyne to charge forward and score one of the finest goals of his career.
De Bruyne then turned provider, delivering a precise cross for John Stones to head home.
He struck again shortly after, combining brilliantly with Haaland, who later capped his performance with a stoppage-time goal.
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Rob Holding grabbed a consolation for Arsenal, but the game was dominated from start to finish by Guardiola’s men.
The 4-1 victory was symbolic of City’s dominance in the title race that season and further cemented De Bruyne and Haaland’s partnership as one of the most lethal in Premier League history.
Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal (September 12, 2009)
The final entry on the list of Manchester City biggest wins against Arsenal in the Premier League era came in September 2009 — a match remembered as much for Emmanuel Adebayor’s infamous celebration as for the scoreline.
The game began with an Arsenal own goal that gave City the lead, only for Robin van Persie to level the score.
Craig Bellamy then restored City’s advantage before Adebayor struck against his former club.
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What followed was one of the most iconic — and controversial — celebrations in Premier League history. Adebayor sprinted the entire length of the pitch to slide in front of the travelling Arsenal fans, provoking outrage and igniting debates about respect and professionalism.
Shaun Wright-Phillips added another for City, while Tomas Rosicky scored late on for Arsenal, but the 4-2 result was remembered largely for Adebayor’s actions.
