Premier League: Arsenal boost title hopes with crucial win over Manchester City

Mesut Ozil was the instigator-in-chief on Monday, 21 December, as Arsenal edged out fellow title contenders Manchester City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium to move to within two points of league leaders Leicester City.

The Manuel Pellegrini-coached Manchester City side began the game the better side, and dominated possession in the first half-an-hour. However, Arsenal drew first blood in the 33rd minute through Theo Walcott, after the English forward was set up by Mesut Ozil.

12 minutes later, Olivier Giroud doubled Arsenal's lead with a well-taken shot to the bottom right corner. Mesut Ozil was once again heavily involved in the goal, as the Gunners headed into the break with a convincing lead.

Yaya Toure pulled a goal back for City in the 82nd minute, but it didn't prove enough for his side, as Arsenal held on to pull off an extremely important victory, which puts them four points ahead of City, and just two behind Leicester.