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SERGIO AGUERO marked his special day in the only way he knows how with a goal in another win for Manchester City.

The Argentine started the day wearing specially commissioned golden boots after becoming the club's all-time leading scorer during the week.

 Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne fired his side into the lead after a low left-footed drive
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Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne fired his side into the lead after a low left-footed driveCredit: EPA
 The Belgian playmaker celebrates with team-mate Leroy Sane after finding the bottom corner
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The Belgian playmaker celebrates with team-mate Leroy Sane after finding the bottom cornerCredit: PA:Empics Sport

He was also given a special presentation before kick-off and then marked the occasion by converting a second half penalty.

Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus were also on the mark as City made it nine straight wins in the Premier League.

Who needs Alexis Sanchez? The Chilean almost came here on deadline day but Pep Guardiola's men have made light of it.

He almost had his first City 'assist' as he gave the ball away carelessly from the left-wing.

 Pep Guardiola reacts after going ahead against Arsenal during the fist half at the Etihad
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Pep Guardiola reacts after going ahead against Arsenal during the fist half at the EtihadCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Gunners boss looks dejected after his men go behind yet again for the third straight Premier League match
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Gunners boss looks dejected after his men go behind yet again for the third straight Premier League matchCredit: AFP or licensors

Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne cleverly teed up Sergio Aguero but he blazed his shot over the angle.

Otherwise Arsenal had started brightly with some neat football - and Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil both firing efforts off target.


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However Pep Guardiola's men brushed off a sluggish start and began to go through the gears with Sterling somehow failing to touch in a Leroy Sane cross.

Petr Cech saved well from De Bruyne but City managed to keep the ball alive and soon the ball was back at the Belgian's feet.

 Raheem Sterling holds his head in his hands after spurning a great opportunity for City
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Raheem Sterling holds his head in his hands after spurning a great opportunity for CityCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Arsene Wenger has a dig at officials after Arsenal lose at Manchester City

This time he swapped passes with Fernandinho before unleashing a low shot beyond the grasp of the Gunners keeper.

It was City's 50th goal of the season - and we are only at Bonfire Night.

Arsenal could have caved in but were let off the hook as Sterling broke clear but fluffed his cross for Sane completely.

And right on half-time they could have gone level as Aaron Ramsey was denied by a smart low save from Eederson Moraes.

 Sergio Aguero scored a penalty early in the second half to make it 2-0
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Sergio Aguero scored a penalty early in the second half to make it 2-0Credit: AFP or licensors
 The ex-Atletico Madrid striker celebrates after netting his eighth Premier League goal of the season
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The ex-Atletico Madrid striker celebrates after netting his eighth Premier League goal of the seasonCredit: Reuters

There was much to ponder for Arsene Wenger at the break but within five minutes of the re-start his team were further behind.

Nacho Monreal stepped across Sterling as he burst into the box and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.

Aguero - who had ditched the golden boots at half-time - fired the penalty home off the inside of the post - his 179th goal for City.

Ederson was almost embarrassed when he spilled a long-range effort from Iwobi before being bundled over the line by Ramsey.

Is this a penalty for Manchester City's Raheem Sterling or a harsh call on Arsenal's Nacho Monreal?
 The French international struck a low drive past Ederson minutes after coming on as a substitute
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The French international struck a low drive past Ederson minutes after coming on as a substituteCredit: EPA
 Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after pulling a goal back for Arsenal
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Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after pulling a goal back for ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association

However he was well beaten soon afterwards when Ramsey slipped through sub Alexandre Lacazette down the right and he rifled a low shot under the keeper.

Wenger's decision to leave the £50 million forward out had Gunners fans scratching their heads and he had scored within eight minutes of coming on.

City could have restored their two goal lead minutes later but Cech did brilliantly to smother from sub Gabriel Jesus.

But the Brazilian did make the points safe in controversial fashion when David Silva found space down the right - when he should have been flagged offside.

He pulled the ball back for Jesus to tap home from close range.

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne scores cracking goal against Arsenal at the second attempt

INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared

Match Stats

INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS - CLICK on a player's number below to see their stats

MatchDay Live

STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS

  • Kevin De Bruyne's first half strike was Manchester City's 50th goal in all competitions this season.
  • The Citizens have beaten Arsenal for just the second time in the last ten matches - beating the Gunners 2-1 at the Etihad last season.
  • Arsene Wenger's side have lost nine of their 16 away Premier League games in 2017 - picking up 17 out of a possible 48 points.
  • Pep Guardiola's men have won all ten of their top-flight fixtures in which they've led this campaign.
  • Manchester City’s 31 points and a +31 goal difference is the best-ever start to a Premier League season after 11 games.
  • Arsenal have registered just one win away to the ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League since the start of 2014/15, drawing seven and losing 10.
 Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 after he tapped home from close range
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Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 after he tapped home from close rangeCredit: Rex Features
 The youngster celebrates his ninth goal of the campaign after tapping home from David Silva's pass
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The youngster celebrates his ninth goal of the campaign after tapping home from David Silva's passCredit: PA:Press Association
  • Guardiola has won five out of six home matches against Arsenal - and is yet to lose.
  • Sergio Aguero has six goals in his last eight matches against the FA Cup champions.
  • It is just Arsenal's second loss in their last 13 games in all competitions - winning ten and drawing once.
  • David Silva now has seven assists in the Premier League - the highest of any player this season.
  • It is the first time since 1981 that the North London side have lost four out of their first six league away encounters.
  • Fernandinho has been directly involved in four goals in his last four Premier League appearances (2 goals, 2 assists), as many as in his previous 64.
  • Petr Cech has saved none of the 13 penalties he has faced with Arsenal in all competitions.
 Chilean maestro Alexis Sanchez looks dejected yet again as Arsenal continue to concede the goals
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Chilean maestro Alexis Sanchez looks dejected yet again as Arsenal continue to concede the goalsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 Sergio Aguero is honoured before kick-off after becoming Manchester City's all-time top scorer
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Sergio Aguero is honoured before kick-off after becoming Manchester City's all-time top scorerCredit: Reuters
Was Manchester City's David Silva offside in the build up to Gabriel Jesus' goal against Arsenal?

SOCIAL SAYS

WHAT THEY SAID

Manchester City goalscorer Kevin De Bruyne said: "We know Arsenal are a quality side but I think we contained them quite well. We created more chances and the third goal came at a good time. We should also have scored the second one in the first half. We kept our composure well and it is a great win for us.

"Obviously, it was great to score as it put us ahead and it's always nice every time you score. Maybe we got the benefit from the referee but the penalty was the second one of its type in the game. He had to give a penalty.

"The more you win, the more other teams want to beat you. It's been a great start for us so let's see what other games bring."

Arsenal goalscorer Petr Cech said: "At 2-1 we got back into the game and we were in it, we had time to search for the equaliser but the third goal makes a huge difference.

"I can't comment on the penalty because of my angle, but the third goal, I was surprised. David Silva looked far behind everybody but the referee has a better view than me.

"Referees have a difficult job to do. I don't know if he got it right or wrong but that goal made the difference."

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