Erling Haaland, consider yourself humbled! Winners and losers as awesome Arsenal - led by wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly - humiliate Man City and send Liverpool a title-race message

The man at the centre of this newfound rivalry, the convoluted Oppenheimer of Arsenal's enjoyment today. From minute one, the Gunners sought to antagonise Haaland, and despite a bump in the road with his second-half header, they had their vengeance.

Gabriel Magalhaes, bounced with the ball after City's last-gasp leveller back in September's 2-2 draw, screamed and shouted in the Norwegian's face in the opening exchanges, setting the tone in the battle of wits. Lewis-Skelly's 'zen' celebration mimicked that of Haaland's former self, sliding to the floor and lovingly surrounded by his senior team-mates.

Home supporters revelled in Haaland's misfortune, sticking it to him with several derogatory chants. He tried to save face by pointing to the golden Premier League winners' badge on his sleeve at full-time, but given he stirred the pot with his 'stay humble' comments before, this was a lame get-out. You made this bed, Erling, and now you have to lie in it.

Lewis-Skelly was already popular among Arsenal fans heading into this game, an impressive addition to Arteta's senior squad having worked his way through the youth ranks. By half-time, he was on top of Phil Foden and locking the reigning Player of the Year down. Another 45 minutes later and he was just about shedding his 'prince' title for that of 'king'.

His goal, deftly cutting inside onto his right foot and firing into the far corner, was itself a thing of beauty, but to twist the knife with another Haaland jab will ensure he's remembered round these parts regardless of how the rest of his career pans out. If Haaland was the antagonist, Lewis-Skelly was his superior protagonist.

Those at the Hale End academy will have been left smiling from ear to ear, with Lewis-Skelly's goal followed by an equally superb effort from close friend Nwaneri. That youth production line just keeps on rolling.

Foden, the worthy winner of last season's Player of the Year awards, hasn't quite looked himself this season. He put a slow start down to fitness and injury issues, particularly off the back of a gruelling and testing Euro 2024 campaign in which he was criticised for his performances.

The 24-year-old has found some form against some of the Premier League's lesser sides, but looked way out of his depth against top-quality opposition here. Lewis-Skelly locked him up with significant ease, and his only assist of the day came for Partey, handing the Ghanaian possession leading to Arsenal's second goal.

Guardiola had clearly seen enough when he hooked Foden just after the hour mark. His title-winning exploits feel like a lifetime ago, and with so much talent coming through, his England spot is certainly up for grabs.

God loves a trier, and for better or worse, that's certainly what Havertz is. He may not be the most fierce of opponents, have the cleanest of technique or ooze charisma, but you can bet he will fight tooth and nail for this Arsenal side.

For many, that isn't enough to lead the line for a side hoping to win the Premier League and Champions League. That's completely fair, particularly once you factor in how horrendous his miss in the first half was, the confidence clearly drained from his body as he shaped up to roll the ball wide from close range.

But he kept at it. He kept going again and again. Maybe that's because he couldn't sink any lower, but he was rewarded in the end for his efforts. The goal Havertz did score was impressive, and he was suitably serenaded by the home crowd for it.

At least until the summer, Havertz's place in the starting line up should be safe. What he does between now and then will tell us how secure that spot is in the long term.

Guardiola knew what he was doing when he signed up for City's rebuild by penning a new contract over the autumn. If anyone understood just how deep their issues ran, it was him.

There has to be at least a smidgen of regret in his mind, though. So much surgery is still required on a team dying on their last legs. He is no longer the Premier League's premier manager, the tactician who would hardly misstep on his way to glory.

City's staff and players will look to Guardiola to guide them through this tricky period. The concerning element is he is not a manager who has had to deal with many of those across his successful career. Things might get worse before they get better again.

And what of City in general? The only punters who didn't foresee today's demise were pessimistic Arsenal fans who needed a precedent to be set before believing they could really run through their new rivals.

On paper, it was clear the Gunners would rip right through City. A lightweight midfield of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva was overrun, while Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes are evidently not defenders who can be relied upon in a team so susceptible on the break.

The fear factor City have held over England and beyond has dissipated. They are simply another team jostling for European position. It's going to take a lot more than a £150m January transfer window to restore their status.

It's not a good look for the so-called best league in the world to be dominated by one club. City's downfall is a blessing in disguise for the Premier League, bringing in a new age of competitiveness and a bit more parity.

Arsenal, though still unlikely to pip Liverpool to the title, have at least shown they can move into another gear for the rest of the season. They will try and chomp away at that six-point gap, which could still turn to nine if the Reds win their game in hand.

Meanwhile, this deliciously bitter rivalry with City is what sport needs. Arteta hoped pre-match that his players had put September's fixture behind them, but that wasn't the case and was if anything the opposite. Supporters chanted at Haaland, the stadium DJ played 'Humble' by Kendrick Lamar at full-time and Guardiola was booed down the tunnel.

The Premier League should be world-leading in these aspects. Sunday's showdown was quite the tonic in all regards.