Premier League: Arsenal v Manchester City - in pictures

It could be a while before this young City fan sheds a tear given Manchester United's 2-0 victory over QPR which has opened up an eight point gap in the title race between themselves and City Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

City desperately need three point today but Arsenal fly at their opponents from the opening whistle and utterly dominate possession. Here, Gael Clichy tries to thwart a galavanting Theo Walcott Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal go close early on but Robin Van Persie's goalbound header is turned onto the bar by his own team-mate Thomas Vermaelen, denying the home side a deserved lead Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Mario Balotelli is guilty of a reckless challenge, planting his studs accidentally into Alex Song's knee as he arrives late for the ball. That should be a red card, but instead he escapes without punishment Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal are rampant, while City look clueless and lethargic Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Balotelli gets a ticking off from his boss Roberto Mancini, who manages to give his side greater impetus at the start of the second half Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But a rasping shot from 25 yards by Mikel Arteta fires Arsenal in front three minutes from time ... And that has surely ended City's title aspirations Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The home fans mock their opponents by celebrating with a Poznan dance, mimicking the City fans' usual celebration Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Now there's a glum bench if ever there was one. Just count the number of hands on faces! Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Substitute Carlos Tevez and Balotelli look bemused as they wait to restart the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

City chase the game in the closing stages but Balotelli chases a little too hard and fouls Bacary Sagna - not for the first time today Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Italian, who's already on a yellow card, raises his hand in apology Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

But it's too late. There's no point in apologising, he's earned himself another yellow card and is finally - and deservedly - sent off Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The young striker has proven himself to a be a liability yet again. For all his talent, he just cannot seem to control himself Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Mancini is irate with his player. But it's been coming all game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Balotelli idles off the pitch and is angrily told to hurry up by his manager. The Arsenal fans then take great joy in waving him down the tunnel Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

And that's it - the final whistle has blown. Arsenal have won 1-0 and all but crushed City's chances of winning the title Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

It's a real face-palm moment for Joleon Lescott and his team-mates Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal's supporters are elated. That victory has put them back in charge of the race for a Champions League berth and extended their gap over fifth-placed Chelsea to five points Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

City, who've now won only once in their last five league games, are eight points behind United with six games remaining. The numbers just don't add up for the blue half of Manchester anymore Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian