Haaland, De Bruyne dismantle Gunners as City seizes control in title race

Pep Guardiola labeled Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland "extraordinary" after the Manchester City stars destroyed Arsenal in a 4-1 victory that put the defending champion in control of the English Premier League title race.

De Bruyne was at his masterful best as he put City ahead with a lung-bursting run and cool finish.

The Belgium midfielder provided the cross for John Stones to head City's second, then netted again himself before Haaland wrapped up the crucial victory in the final seconds.

"The connection between Kevin and Erling is extraordinary, today we tried to use it as much as possible," Guardiola told BT Sport.

Second-placed City is now just two points behind leader Arsenal with two games in hand.

If City win six of its last seven games, it is guaranteed to win the title for a fifth time in six seasons.

However, Guardiola isn't getting carried just yet, and the Spaniard urged his players to focus on their next three league games.

City travels to Fulham on Sunday, and then will play West Ham and Leeds at home.

Guardiola's men are also due to play Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals during that period, with an FA Cup final date against Manchester United in June as they chase a remarkable treble.

"I know the next three games are really important. After two games at home against West Ham and Leeds, these three games will dictate if we can do what we want to do," Guardiola said.

"The reality is today we are two points behind Arsenal, they are in front of us."

De Bruyne echoed Guardiola as he refused to say the win had secured another title for City.

"It is too long. We know what people said about whoever won this game but it is so hard, a lot of things can happen," De Bruyne said.

"We have two games in hand but we are still behind them."