Arsenal vs. Manchester City score: De Bruyne, City destroy hapless Gunners in Premier League blowout

City outclassed Arsenal and kept its distance behind Liverpool

Manchester City went to Arsenal on Sunday and outclassed the Gunngers for the entire first half to walk away with a comfortable 3-0 win. City stayed alive in the title race, but the club is still 14 points back of first-place Liverpool as we near the season's halfway mark. It was a needed result after losing at home to Manchester United last weekend. The Gunners, meanwhile, could not continue to rise after beating West Ham. 

They suffered a defeat where there was little creativity and tensions were high as Mesut Ozil was visibly frustrated after he was substituted off. The loss puts Arsenal seven points back of the top four with a tricky stretch coming up including games against Chelsea and Manchester United. 

Here are three takeaways from the match:

1. De Bruyne was on another level

Kevin De Bruyne played like a man possessed in this game. He terrorized Arsenal all game long. He finished with two goals and an assist to Raheem Sterling. He was creative, clinical and seemed to make the right play every time he got the ball.

The opening goal ended up being the winner, and it came off a fine finish inside the box just two minutes in. Here it is:

He then played a brilliant ball to Sterling for the second score 15 minutes in before finishing another world-class strike just before half time to make it 3-0. 

De Bruyne is up to six Premier League goals this season.

2. Kolasinac was prime example of Arsenal's woes

Sead Kolasinac exemplified the Gunners' defensive problems. On the opening goal, he ducked his head instead of trying to clear it away. Not that he would have gotten to the strike from De Bruyne, but it's a bad look nonetheless.

Then on Sterling's goal, Kolasinac was trying to read only where the ball would go and lost track of Sterling. Once he misread it and the ball went behind, it was a simple tap in for Sterling.

Arsenal made it too easy for City all game long and was lucky the score line wasn't worse.

3. Gunners need someone new on the bench

Freddie Ljungberg was a great player, and down the road he may be a great manager, but the Gunners are lacking leadership and inspiration. It feels like a sinking ship, and they need to do something about it. Whether it is Carlo Ancelotti or Marcelino Garcia Toral, the club needs to bring somebody in as soon as possible. Why start Ozil if you are going to take him out with so much time left in the second half? If you are going to play on the counter, why is Alexandre Lacazette on the on the bench? 

By the way, Arsenal finished with just one shot on goal.

CBS Sports was be with you the entire way providing updates, analysis, highlights and much more. You can relive City's win below.

Arsenal 0, Manchester City 3 (FT)

[Dec 15, 2019 at 1:24 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Final: Arsenal 0, Man. City 3

[Dec 15, 2019 at 1:23 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

It's one sided but could have been much worse. City rolls and keeps their faint title hopes alive. Arsenal, meanwhile, continues to look nothing like the golden Arsenal.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 1:15 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Sloppy from Arsenal in the midfield, giving chances to City as Mahrez nearly makes it 4-0 with five minutes to go.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 1:02 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

72' About 20 minutes to go. Arsenal trying to play over the top, but it doesn't matter at this point. No way Arsenal comes back from this. City looking for the kill shot.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:53 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Ozil was just subbed off to a mix of cheers and boos, and he was clearly upset. He kicked his gloves and was furious at the decision.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:40 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Five minutes into the second half, and little urgency from Arsenal. City surely close to getting a fourth.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:39 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

The second half is underway!

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:24 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

It's 3-0 at the break. Streamrolling by City. Just out of control. Arsenal defense can't stop a bus at this point.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:14 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

De Bruyne off the post thanks to Leno who knocks it away! It was almost his hat trick goal! A fantastic save.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:12 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

40' It's another goal from De Bruyne! A rifle shot that curls past Leno to make it 3-0. A brilliant first-half for Pep Guardiola's side so far.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 12:05 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

10 minutes to go in the first half as Rodri is shown a yellow for taking dad Kolasinac. Soft tackle, in all honesty.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:53 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

22' Gundongan with a bouncing ball from 25 yards but he rifles it way wide. Feels like a third City goal is coming before long. The Arsenal defense is doing a tad better to double team in midfield, but just too many holes.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:47 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

16' It's 2-0! Sterling! De Bruyne lethal on the counter as Sterling scores his 10th league goal! A lovely low ball across the face of goal that he taps in with more awful defending making it easy.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:44 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

13' Good from Ozil to get into the final third with the ball and draw a foul. Dangerous free kick coming.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:34 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

What a ridiculous goal, but the defending is arguably just as ridiculous. Kolasinic ducked as the shot came on frame as if he were scared. Woof.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:33 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Fernadinho plays Gabriel Jesus into the box, he finds De Bruyne and he puts it away with a rocket finish. Absolutely garbage from the Arsenal defense!

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:33 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

2' GOAL CITY!!!!! 1-0!!!! De Bruyne!!!! Too easy!

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:32 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

1' It's a fantastic early chance for Arsenal! Martinelli is denied from close!

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:31 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!!!

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:24 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Just minutes until kickoff. Predictions? I don't see how Arsenal pulls this one off. Lacazette on the bench makes zero sense because Arsenal has to focus on defense, and having him on the counter would be critical. We'll see how it turns out.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:08 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

With Liverpool's win, Manchester City is pretty much obligated this one, or it may just be the end of their title challenge. As for the Gunners, incredibly, a win would put them just four points out of the top four and level with Manchester United.

[Dec 15, 2019 at 11:06 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Team news is in for both squads!

[Dec 14, 2019 at 3:21 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Welcome to the CBS Sports live blog of Manchester City vs. Arsenal. Be sure to join us at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, 30 minutes ahead of kickoff.