Manchester City brushed aside Arsenal with contemptuous ease to put one hand on the English Premier League trophy in a one-sided, so-called title decider at The Etihad.

The misfiring Gunners still top the table – by two points – but the reigning champions have two games in hand and are now overwhelming favourites to make it three titles in a row and close in on an historic treble.

1.Title decider? More like title clincher

Billed as a heavyweight contest, it turned out to be a mismatch – between a genuine heavyweight and a puffed-up middleweight.

Arsenal arrived with championship pretensions, but on the night they didn’t even pretend.

They were outthought, outfought and outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s men whose superiority should have seen them home and dry by half-time.

Only the heroics of keeper Aaron Ramsdale – the lone Arsenal player to do himself justice – kept the scoreline down to one-nil.

The Gunners didn’t just misfire, they didn’t load their weapons until it was too late.

Star man Bukayo Saka was well policed by City’s latest makeshift left-back Manuel Akanji while on the other flank, Gabriel Martinelli, couldn’t get a kick.

Neither of their two Gabriels were anything like angels, Martinelli and Jesus both main striking threats.

The stats say the win possibility for City is now 79%, but to most people watching it looks even stronger.

The reigning champions are quite simply in a class of their own.

2. Brilliant Belgian

The next statue to go up at the Etihad has to be for Kevin de Bruyne.

Man of the Match with two fabulous finishes, the normally understated Belgian stole Erling Haaland’s thunder.

In a role reversal that shows how unstoppable City are as an attacking force, he latched onto the Norwegian’s assists with clinical finishes.

One from the halfway line where he still had much to do, the other inside the box.

The encapsulated pace, power and precision  underlined his claim as the most complete midfielder in the business.

Aside from that, his game was razor-sharp, his control superb and he thoroughly deserved his ovation when withdrawn before the end.

Pep knew the crowd would thank him on his behalf.

He’s a different type of player to David Silva, but becoming just as crucial in taking City to another level.

3. Haaland in wonderland

He lost his Alice band but still found wonderland!

Erling Haaland was the headline act in the build-up but had to wait until added time for his inevitable goal.

The giant Norwegian actually missed a few chances in the first half, but more than made up with a couple of superb assists.

Showing this other side to his game, his holding of the ball, and ability to play teammates in, underlined what a potent force he has become under Guardiola.

Even when his radar is slightly askew, he’s still a lethal weapon.

And he won his personal ‘Norwegian derby’ with Arsenal skipper Martin Odergaard hands down.

The Scandinavian country was at a standstill with everyone watching, but the private duel was as one-sided as the overall game.

The midfielder has faded along with his teammates, and was left to wish that his superstar compatriot could play alongside him at club level too.

4. Arsenal in a real wobble

Three draws and now this defeat … must be considered a wobble.

Arsenal have led the table for 168 of the last 171 days and still do – but the legs are shaking.

A hammering like this could cause their season to collapse, but a 16-point cushion on Newcastle and Manchester United should allay fears about slipping out of the top four.

The 3,000 Gooners who were in Manchester and those around the world should still be proud of the season they’ve had.

Top four was all they realistically aspired to when it began and although ultimately, they’ve flattered to deceive, it’s still been a magnificent effort to be the frontrunners for so long.

At least they don’t have to face the blue half of Manchester again: that’s three defeats this season and the last time Arsenal beat their nemesis was in 2015.

5. Master teaches apprentice a lesson

Mikel Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s assistant for three and a half years. You would think if anyone knew how to get the better of the maestro it would be the Arsenal boss.

And Pep was kind enough to let him buy two of his players at reasonable prices.

But we saw the level City are now at and Arteta was decent enough to acknowledge that.

He also complained: “We weren’t at our level. It’s a concern when you’re fighting for a championship.”

But he was right to add that they cannot lose their focus because of one game.

In truth, Pep has better players in just about every position and deploys them to greater effect.

He has learned from his chastening first season in English football – when he won nothing – to turn City into arguably the best club side in Europe.

Arsenal will learn from this, but City are still miles ahead.