Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he had to adjust his tactics for victory at Arsenal.
City won 3-1 to move ahead of Arsenal as Premier League leaders on goal difference, though having played one game more.
Guardiola later said, "In the first half, Arsenal were much better than us. We were not intense enough, maybe because I changed something and it was not good enough. In the second half we were much more aggressive and much, much better. And yeah, we did it.
"Before Manu Akanji came in, the team was playing much better. From the first minute of the second half we pressed much higher and more intensely. They didn't get that extra man in midfield that they can create. Kyle, Manu, Ruben and Nathan, they did an extraordinary effort to control Saka, Martinelli and Nketiah. It is not easy."
On goalscorer Erling Haaland, Guardiola said: "He helps us a lot, fighting against Saliba. It is not easy. We spoke a lot about the behaviours of defenders from Arsenal and against them you have to use the contact and the body. And he helped us a lot with the long balls. When a team plays man to man and just leaves the keeper alone you have to use the weapon we have with Erling.
"If they win the game in hand they are top of the league. What they have done is incredible and we are still there. This league will be decided for the last eight or 10 games. There are 15 to go. It is a lot and the Champions League is coming. Many games and tiring for the players. It is important that we are here because six points if we lose and maybe nine points hypothetically, it is not easy. Especially for the way we behave in the second half, with a lot of personality to do it."