Manchester City FC

From Wenger's criticism to title battles: Arsenal vs. City's modern rivalry.

The rivalry between English professional football clubs Arsenal and Manchester City began in 2008 after Manchester City were the subject of major financial investment. Prior to this, Arsenal were one of the stronger teams in English football, last winning the Premier League in 2003–04, and had not finished behind City since 1993. Arsenal saw several important players such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Samir Nasri leave for Manchester City. Arsenal's then-manager Arsène Wenger criticised City's transfer policy and financial strategy.

In 2012 City won their first English title since 1968, and would go on to win several more over the following decade. Arsenal would win several FA Cups in this period, but would rarely pose a threat to City in the Premier League. The two clubs competed for the Premier League title throughout the 2022–23 season with Arsenal leading for significant periods of the season, and during the 2023–24 season but City prevailed both times; however, they lost out to Arsenal in the 2025–26 season.

Quick Facts

First meeting

11 November 1893
Football League Second Division
Woolwich Arsenal 1–0 Ardwick

Teams

Arsenal; Manchester City

Stadiums

Emirates Stadium (Arsenal); Etihad Stadium (Manchester City)

Latest meeting

16 August 2026
Community Shield
Arsenal 3–0 Manchester City

Total meetings

217

Largest victory

Arsenal 5–0 Manchester City (27 October 2000); Manchester City 5–0 Arsenal (28 August 2021)

Largest scoring

Arsenal 7–3 Manchester City (6 October 1956)

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.

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.