Guardiola Frustrated After City Humbled by Arsenal

Pep Guardiola slammed "fragile" Manchester City for surrendering in the closing stages of their humiliating 5-1 defeat against title-chasing Arsenal on Sunday.

- Agencies

LONDON:

Guardiola's side crumbled to yet another dismal result in a woeful season as Arsenal ran riot at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. City had clawed their way back into the game when Erling Haaland's equaliser early in the second half cancelled out Martin Odegaard's opener after just 103 seconds.

But the spluttering champions immediately handed the momentum back to Arsenal when Phil Foden's wayward pass was intercepted by Thomas Partey, whose shot deflected in off John Stones.

That was the spark for City's collapse as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri exposed the gaping holes in the visitors' defence.

It was a shocking meltdown, even by the standards of fourth-placed City's numerous self-inflicted wounds this term.

Guardiola cut an agitated figure throughout a chastening afternoon and he conceded his players had only themselves to blame.

"It's happened all season, we are giving away too many things, we are aware this cannot happen," he said.

"Unfortunately after the second goal it happened again. You have to overcome, you cannot lose the control.