Manchester City FC

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Lore & Background

Arsenal and Manchester City were not traditional rivals, the first game between the two clubs was a Football League Division Two match between Woolwich Arsenal and Ardwick on 11 November 1893, ending in a 1–0 win for Arsenal. The first 14 games between the two teams were played in the second division with City winning 8, Arsenal with 4 and 2 draws. Arsenal historically have had more success certainly during the 1990s and early 2000s. At the time of the Abu Dhabi United Group takeover of City in 2008, Arsenal had won thirteen domestic top-flight league titles, ten FA cups and two Football League Cups; City, conversely had won only two domestic top-flight league titles, four FA Cups and two Football League Cups. Arsenal under Arsène Wenger had also finished runners-up in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final and had been a consistent challenging team domestically since winning their first Premier League title in 1998. By 2008, Arsenal had not finished outside the top four since the 1995–96 season, whereas City had not finished in the top four since the 1977–78 season, although they did finish a place higher than Arsenal in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992–93. Despite finishing lower, Arsenal defeated City 1–0 on both occasions during the season. Following Manchester City's takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, the club's increased spending on players began to rile several opposition managers with Arsène Wenger being particularly outspoken in his disapproval of City's financial approach on numerous occasions. During the summer of 2009, City, who had finished 10th in the previous season (six places behind Arsenal in 4th), would move to sign Gunners pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Touré. In the first game between the two teams during the 2009–10 season, City would win 4–2 at home with Adebayor scoring the third goal that, at the time, put City ahead; he would then run the length of the pitch before sliding on his knees and celebrating in front of the Arsenal supporters. During the game he had caused controversy with a late tackle on Cesc Fàbregas and flicking a boot in the face of Robin van Persie. Adebayor received a yellow card and would later apologise for 'losing his head' after what he described as two hours of abuse from Arsenal fans. In 2018, Adebayor stated that he still hates both Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, recalling the moment in a T

In Their Own Story

The narrative of this rivalry is written in specific moments of betrayal, celebration, and tactical warfare. In September 2012, City manager Roberto Mancini challenged Arsène Wenger's complaints about spending, while the following year Samir Nasri was filmed being abused by fans at the Emirates, later calling them 'stupid'. The on-pitch tension escalated during the 2018 EFL Cup final, where City defeated Arsenal 3–0 with goals from Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, and David Silva. Days later, they won again 3–0 at the Emirates. A decade of dominance followed for City, who secured four titles between 2017–18 and 2021–22 while Arsenal struggled to finish outside the top eight. The tables turned in the 2022–23 season when Arsenal held a ten-point lead at one stage before City thrashed them 4–1 at the Etihad, clawing back the advantage to win by five points. In contrast, the 2025–26 season saw Arsenal finally prevail over City in the title race.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry intensified after City's 2008 takeover, with key Arsenal players moving to City and Wenger's public criticism of City's spending. The 2018 EFL Cup final was the first competitive final between the clubs. The rivalry renewed in 2022–23 as both competed for the Premier League title.

Did You Know?

• The first game between the clubs was a 1–0 Arsenal win in 1893.
• Emmanuel Adebayor celebrated scoring against Arsenal by sliding in front of their fans in 2009.
• City won their first title since 1968 in the 2011–12 season after being beaten 1–0 by Arsenal.
• The 2018 EFL Cup final was the first competitive final between the two teams.