Liverpool teach Arsenal lesson about true Premier League title credentials after Man City humiliation

It was billed pre-match as a mouth-watering game between English football's two strongest teams to decide the destination of the Premier League title.

Yes, the Gunners are still two points clear at the top of the table. But even the most optimistic of Arsenal supporters must feel that the title is now out of reach.

Pep Guardiola's side have two games in hand and a far better goal difference, should the title race come down to those fine margins. It won't.

This was a reality check for Arsenal, who were blown away by a magnificent first-half performance from the home side, who have now won seven consecutive matches in the Premier League and are unbeaten in their last 17 games in all competitions.

In the 2018-19 campaign, Liverpool lost just one league match – a 2-1 defeat away at City, who would go on win the title by a single point after a relentless run of victories in the final months.

While Liverpool failed to win that day, they made a statement with their performance – that they were good enough to compete with, and maybe beat, Guardiola's City over the course of a season.

And so it proved, with the Reds charging to the title the following campaign, winning it with seven games to spare – a Premier League record.

Arsenal had their own opportunity to make a statement at the Etihad on Wednesday but crumbled under the pressure.

Aaron Ramsdale kept some respectability to the 4-1 scoreline, which flattered the visitors, and questions must now be asked about the mental strength of Mikel Arteta's young team after a run of four league games without a win.

Arsenal have no European final to look forward to and will have all summer to think of what might have been, should they fail to win the title.

Will they get a better chance under Arteta? Only time will tell.