Ilkay Gundogan scored within the first ten minutes of the match thanks to a cross from teammate Gabriel Jesus, putting an unchallenged header past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno to put his side in the lead.
Arsenal continued to fall short throughout the match, with defender Cédric Soares failing to clear the ball and giving opponent Ferrán Torres the chance to score in the 12th minute — the earliest the Gunners have conceded two goals in a Premier League match since December 2017.
And things only went from bad to worse for Arsenal, as captain Granit Xhaka was shown a red card following a clumsy challenge on João Cancelo.
Torres and fellow Spanish midfielder Rodri wrapped up their side’s victory with two second-half goals to clinch City’s second consecutive 5-0 win.
A disappointing start to the season
“Coming here and starting and competing well and then going down to 10 men is mentally really demanding, so we have to manage the game as best as we could,” he said.
“We conceded another two goals [after the break] and I’m really disappointed,” he added.
“It’s going to be difficult, but as I said we are a team and we have to stick together in this moment. And as the senior players, we have to show the way as well to the young players. I know it’s not going to be easy, but we will try to give our best,” he said.
Speaking about his team’s performance, Aubameyang added, “Today, it wasn’t enough, and against a team against City, 11 against 11, you have to take risks and you have to be brave on the ball, and we didn’t today.”
“And after that, we took the red card, it was a completely different game, but as I said this is not enough and everyone has to raise the level, watch ourselves in the mirror and work hard as a team and stick together. This is the only way to go forward.”
‘I know the job he can do’
Arteta had become an integral member of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, winning seven trophies in his three years as assistant manager at the club before leaving to take over at Arsenal in 2019.
“He knows how I love him. In the two or three years he was here, he was important to what we built,” Guardiola said.
“I know his awareness as a manager and as a leader, the moment everyone is back, he will do an excellent job. I know this because I know him, I know the job he can do,” he added.
Despite his club’s impressive performance, Guardiola said City needs “to do better.”
“The first time we arrived in the Arsenal half, we scored. We had problems in the first 15-20 minutes in our build up play. After 2-0 and sending off, the game is completely different,” he said.
“We are still in the process of improving — like I said to the players after the game. It was nice winning today but we have to be better.”
Guardiola told reporters in a pre-match interview he wasn’t “frustrated” by his club’s failed transfers, saying they “have an exceptional squad.”
“It’s good that a player like Cristiano Ronaldo is back in England for the Premier League, it’s good news.”
Arsenal will look to pick itself up next Saturday when it faces fellow table bottom-dweller Norwich City.
Meanwhile, title defender City is next scheduled to play Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.