Wenger: Arsenal are on the right train going the right way

Walcott’s stunning effort – Arsenal’s first shot on target – lit up a cagey first period and Giroud neatly converted their second on the stroke of half-time to give the hosts a comfortable cushion.

The 29-year-old has also expressed his admiration for Arsene Wenger’s dynamic side, and admits if City do not win the league, he would be happy to see the Gunners take the title.

And that is why he thinks more teams are enjoying success on the road this campaign.

“To win these sorts of game you need to believe you can do it. And he is that”.

They got a goal back via Yaya Toure’s stunning long-range strike in the 82nd minute – a fitting finish to a 18-pass build-up.

Manuel Pellegrini wants his Manchester City team to be in prime position to launch their title charge from February.

There are also grounds for optimism for City supporters, whose side are now six adrift of Leicester, as their run to the title in 2013-14 saw them down in third after 17 fixtures – could history repeat itself? “We haven’t proven anything yet and we haven’t been that consistent that we can talk about that”, he said.

Despite Wenger’s squad being depleted by injury – with key players such as Alexis Sanchez and Francois Coquelin missing – they’ve managed to progress in the Champions League and sit second in the Premier League.

The loss ramps up the pressure on Pellegrini at a time when Pep Guardiola, who will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, has been linked with the club. “No, it’s no hard”, he said. You must be concentrated and focused on your work.

“His talent is exceptional and he realise he can help us in every single game”. But we’ll continue being involved in all the competitions.

They started the season superbly, quickly establishing themselves as favourites with five consecutive wins during which they did not concede.

“Two or three years ago we were top for a long time but what is special is that this time we lost important players, had to go to Olympiakos, play at Villa and today, and we won those games”, said Wenger.

The goal the game needed arrived after 33 minutes, but only after City had wasted their only chance of the first half.