Man City vs. Arsenal: Reliving the Last Five Epic Clashes

Arsenal vs. Manchester City hasn't quite sparked the same passion as a Premier League title rivalry when compared to more storied competitions.

These two clubs have battled fiercely at the top in three of the last four seasons, and the forthcoming clash in Manchester will in all likelihood determine who walks away as the division's next champion.

We're well past the point of labeling this matchup a "master vs. apprentice" dynamic, with Mikel Arteta, trophy cabinet aside, having grown into a manager of the highest caliber. A first league championship in 22 years is within reach for his exhausted squad, and anything short of a loss on Sunday will only strengthen Arsenal's already firm grip on the title race, even as they've shown signs of wobbling in recent weeks.

Past title clashes between the two sides have swung between lopsided affairs and underwhelming encounters, yet City and Arsenal have also served up their share of drama, tension, and genuine excitement.

Here's a look back at their last five head-to-head meetings.

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Man City 0–0 Arsenal (March 31, 2024)

The situation was somewhat different for Arsenal two years ago when they traveled north to the Etihad at the tail end of March. Liverpool were still in contention for the title, but there was a feeling that the Gunners had the opportunity to knock Pep Guardiola's side out of the running with a win in Manchester.

Instead, Arteta's side settled for a draw. They focused on keeping the hosts quiet, and City didn't create a great deal in their attempts to break Arsenal down.

Chances were scarce throughout, with the visitors unable to capitalize on some promising counter-attacking opportunities late in the match.

The draw was one of the few stumbles either side experienced in the run-in, but Arsenal's subsequent loss to Aston Villa ultimately handed City yet another title.

Man City 2–2 Arsenal (September 22, 2024)

A dominant finish to 2023–24 had somehow yielded no silverware, yet there was a widespread belief heading into the next campaign that this would finally be Arsenal's moment.

While Guardiola's City were never easy to discount, they were dealt a significant blow when Ballon d'Or winner Rodri suffered an ACL tear during this early-season fixture at the Etihad.

The match burst into life when Erling Haaland broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a fine run from Savinho. A stunning strike from Riccardo Calafiori leveled things up, before Arsenal edged ahead through a powerful Gabriel header from a corner.

Leandro Trossard's contentious second yellow card made the second half a difficult proposition for the visitors, but a resolute defensive display kept City out until the dying moments. John Stones crashed in a stoppage-time equalizer to salvage a point for the struggling hosts.

Arsenal 5–1 Man City (February 2, 2025)

City would go on to endure their worst Premier League season under Guardiola following Rodri's long-term absence, leaving Arsenal to battle Arne Slot's Liverpool for the title in 2024–25.

And this result felt like a bold declaration of intent from Arteta's squad. The Arsenal manager had often been criticized for being reluctant to rely on his emerging academy talent, but two Hale End graduates left their mark all over this demolition of the reigning champions.

Haaland tormented the Gunners once more, but Arsenal took control from that point on. Myles Lewis-Skelly netted their third, cheekily mimicking the City striker's goal celebration in the process, before Ethan Nwaneri's exquisite left foot applied the finishing touches to a stunning 5–1 victory.

The win trimmed Liverpool's lead at the summit to six points, but Arsenal's form would soon unravel.

Arsenal 1–1 Man City (September 21, 2025)

It's a rare sight to see an Arteta-managed Arsenal side caught out on the break the way City managed here.

Tijjani Reijnders made an instant impact in the Premier League on his debut, and he delivered again for City at the Emirates, surging forward on the transition before setting up Haaland to finish with his weaker right foot.

The visitors had a difficult time of it after that, however, as Arsenal gradually found their footing and began to suffocate City in a manner Guardiola's side rarely experience. That compelled the Spaniard to not just alter his approach, but fundamentally rethink his tactics. The buses were parked, with Jérémy Doku deployed as a lone dribbling outlet to help City advance up the field.

City did well to restrict Arsenal to half-chances, but a late defensive lapse gave the hosts their opening. Gianluigi Donnarumma's indecision off his line left him helpless as Gabriel Martinelli chipped in a delightful equalizer 93 minutes into a labored contest.

Arsenal 0–2 Man City (March 22, 2026)

This was supposed to be Arsenal's crowning moment. A thrilling two-legged triumph over Chelsea had propelled the Gunners to their first Carabao Cup final in eight years, offering them the chance to end a six-year trophy drought under Arteta.

City appeared ripe for the taking. Struggling in the Premier League and eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid, this was not a side that commanded fear at Wembley.

Yet Arsenal played almost as though they were the underdogs, scrapping for glimpses of quality against a seemingly superior opponent. After James Trafford produced a superb triple save early on, City grew in confidence and authority, reaching their peak at the start of the second half. They delivered a 20-minute spell that echoed their finest moments under Guardiola, though it took a Kepa Arrizabalaga blunder to crack the final open.

Nico O'Reilly's rapid-fire double put the game beyond Arsenal, as City secured their fifth Carabao Cup title of the Guardiola era.

Man City vs. Arsenal Last Five Results