Arsenal hold on for crucial win over Manchester City

Arsenal struck what could prove to be a key psychological blow in this season's Premier League title race as they beat Manchester City 2-1 to move to within two points of top spot.

The Gunners managed just two attempts in a tight first half but scored with both of them as more majestic set-up play from the king of assists, Mesut Ozil saw Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud extend Manuel Pellegrini's side's away-day hell.

The visitors have not won a league game on their travels since September and saw their hopes go up in smoke inside a significant 77-second period as Walcott's sensational, curving strike from the left edge of the area followed hot on the heels of a big chance for Kevin De Bruyne.

City then contrived to hand the home side a two-goal advantage at the end of the half as Eliaquim Mangala gifted the ball to Ozil who picked out the in-form Giroud to finish with aplomb.

Leicester City may currently sit at the summit of the topflight, but most observers feel this was a meeting of the two sides most likely to lift the trophy come May, and it was the Gunners who came out of it with a galvanised belief. Arsene Wenger's men have twice before been second in the Premier League at Christmas and on each occasion they have gone onto lift the trophy.

However, if the omens look good for Arsenal, they make bad reading for the Citizens. Yaya Toure may have ended the club's run of three away matches without a goal with an outstanding late shot from distance, but it wasn't enough to prevent a fifth loss already this term.

They are now six points adrift of the Foxes and have to overcome history to land a third title in five seasons, as the last time a side recovered from so many defeats prior to Christmas to go on and be crowned champions was back in 1986.

32' - MAN CITY CHANCE! Aguero spins a lovely pass round the corner for De Bruyne who surges free down the left channel and into the box before drilling a low effort inches past the far post.

33' - GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 MAN CITY. Arsenal lead and it's a wonderful strike. Koscilny picks out Ozil who feeds it into Walcott. The England man turns on the left side of the box and flashes a stunning drive into the far corner. No chance for Joe Hart.

45+1' - GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 MAN CITY. Arsenal double their lead! It's the in-form Giroud who gets the goal as he drills a low shot through Hart's legs from another lovely through pass from Ozil.

53' - ARSENAL CHANCE! Monreal races down the left and puts low cross on a plate for Joel Campbell who somehow contrives to blaze over with a first-time shot on the run from eight yards out. It should have been curtains for City.

60' - ARSENAL CHANCE! Almost three. Campbell touches a wonderful first-time pass into Ramsey's run but the Welshman sees his shot superbly blocked by Hart.

82' - GOAL! ARSENAL 2-1 MAN CITY. It's not over just yet - City have one back. Toure exchanges a few passes on the right and then runs onto the ball 25 yards out and places a sublime shot into the top corner after letting it run across his body. Simply brilliant.

88' - MAN CITY CHANCE! Toure has come to life and is almost dragging City back into this on his own. A brilliant, trademark surge sees him exchange a one-two with De Bruyne before stabbing just wide under pressure.

The Gunners have scored in their last 11 league games, and have now scored 100+ goals in all competitions in 2015.

Mesut Ozil has 15 Premier League assists this season, only five players have ever managed more in a single PL campaign.

Ozil now has 29 Premier League assists in his career, as many as Eden Hazard but in 59 games fewer.

Ozil is just five shy of Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season.

Man City have kept only two clean sheets in their last 12 PL games, after not conceding in their opening five matches of 15-16.

Only Harry Kane (25) has scored more Premier League goals in 2015 than Olivier Giroud (Vardy/Aguero also on 19).

Arsenal haven't lost at home in the Premier League since the opening day of the season.

Arsenal have lost just one of their 19 Premier League home games against Manchester City (W12, D6).

Sergio Aguero has completed 90 minutes in only 45 of his 113 Premier League starts

Arsenal were missing Alexis Sanchez while Sergio Aguero was back for Man City. The visitors had the pre-match boost with regards to the fitness of the two teams' respective talismanic talents, but it seems the Gunners now have a new source for big moments on the big occasion. Ozil is not only the chief provider in the Premier League, he is the main man in terms of assists across the five big leagues in Europe.

The German's confidence is sky high and his sheer quality is finally shining through in high profile matches, allowing Wenger's men to produce the goods even in the absence of Sanchez. The likes of Giroud are benefitting greatly and there's no doubt the Gunners playmaker will be integral to their title aspirations in the second half of the season. If he maintains this form he'll beat Henry's record of 20 in a single season - and perhaps by some distance.

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal). Had a big hand in both goals and was at the heart of all of Arsenal's best moves. Could have had a hat-trick of assists if the home side had made the most of a dominant start to the second half.

ARSENAL: Cech 6, Bellerin 8, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Flamini 7, Ramsey 7, Walcott 8, Özil 9, Campbell 8, Giroud 7. Subs: Gibbs 6,Chambers n/a, Oxlade-Chamberlain 5.

MANCHESTER CITY: Hart 7, Sagna 6, Otamendi 7, Mangala 5, Kolarov 6, Fernandinho 6, Toure 7, Delph 5, De Bruyne 6, Silva 5, Aguero 5. Subs: Sterling 6, Bony 6, Navas 6.