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Manchester City reporter at Stamford BridgePublished2 hours ago387 CommentsThe carrot was dangled in front of Manchester City - how would they react to Arsenal's shock loss on Saturday?
That question was emphatically answered by Pep Guardiola's men on Sunday - with a statement 3-0 win at Chelsea which blew the Premier League title race wide open.
While Arsenal are faltering, City are growing in strength and, after moving within six points of the leaders with a game in hand, the signs are looking ominous for the red side of north London.
City's cheers would have been heard all the way from west London - and the ferocity with which Guardiola, his players and the travelling fans celebrated showed how important a victory this was.
Arsenal have a Champions League tie to contend with on Wednesday, but City's attention will now fully turn to next Sunday's meeting against Mikel Arteta's side with the tantalising prospect of further reducing the deficit.
City have hit form in the past three games, scoring nine goals against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea without conceding, claiming the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals during that period.
"We have done a good three games, but the best team in England is Arsenal and the best team in Europe is Arsenal," said Guardiola.
"The numbers are there with the consistency they had. We will prepare well this week.
"We will adjust from the Carabao Cup final and what we have to do with our people to perform well. What defines the teams is how you play."
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How 'relentless' Manchester City punished poor Chelsea
City - and Arsenal - have been here before"Are you watching Arsenal?" was the chant echoing around Stamford Bridge from the City supporters.
If they were, it was from behind their sofas and between their fingers knowing City's juggernaut is starting to purr into gear as they swept aside hapless Chelsea in the second half.
The statistics show April is Guardiola's most fruitful month and Arteta's worst - and the results from the two title rivals this weekend backed that up.
City have been the hunters before and are comfortable in that role - as Arsenal only know too well.
In 2022-23, the Gunners became the team to spend the most days (248) top of the Premier League without winning it.
They were five points clear after 32 games played that season, but City, with two games in hand, reeled them in.
How damaging Arsenal's home loss against the Cherries proves to be remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain - City have taken advantage of that slip-up in style and extended their unbeaten run in the league to nine games.
They have also lost only one of their past 19 top-flight matches, showing they are once again starting to peak at the right time.