Man City 3 Arsenal 0:Arsenal suffered another damaging blow to their title hopes as William Gallas looked on from a distance. The French defender was stripped of the captaincy at Eastlands after controversial comments about the team — and the Gunners slumped to defeat.

A superb goal from Robinho after Stephen Ireland made the breakthrough gave City a deserved victory with substitute Daniel Sturridge scoring from the spot in stoppage time.

After the game Wenger played down the Gallas incident, saying it had no reflection on his side's performance.

"Nothing disturbed us before the game. We had good focus and concentration. I believe it was a flattering victory for Manchester City.

"We gave absolutely everything — we are not in the blaming culture. We stand up for our responsibilities."

"We have to keep our belief. With a strong team in a strong club, you have sometimes to go through a period like this.

"It is how well you deal with that situation you determine your future. I believe we have to try to win our next game and not set targets and see where we go."

Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia marked his 100th appearance for Arsenal by replacing Gallas, who did not travel with the rest of the squad after making critical comments about the team in midweek.

With Gallas absent, Johan Djourou returned to the heart of the defence as Wenger looked to put the home defeat by Aston Villa behind them.

City goalkeeper Joe Hart made a surprise appearance after shaking off an ankle injured sustained in the draw against Hull last weekend, while skipper Richard Dunne returned to the team after suspension — replacing Tal Ben Haim.

City were the first to show and Pablo Zabaleta fired a shot wide in the third minute after being released by Darius Vassell.

Vassell raced away five minutes later and tried to pick out Robinho but the pass was easily intercepted.

Robinho was then floored by Gavin Hoyte as he raced to the byline and a free-kick was awarded. City took it short but Robinho's effort from the edge of the area was comfortably taken by Almunia.

City almost took the lead in the 27th minute after a flowing move, which was started by Shaun Wright-Phillips. He sent Vassell clear and Benjani Mwaruwari got a touch to his cross at the back post, only to deflect his effort wide.

Robin Van Persie then needed brief treatment six minutes later after being left winded following a challenge from Vincent Kompany.

Arsenal almost took the lead from the free-kick with Hart beating away Samir Nasri's shot.

The ball broke to Nicklas Bendtner and he cleverly hooked it back to Alex Song. He was clear on goal but sent his effort wide from close range.

Stephen Ireland then went on a surging run but there was no one on hand to help him out and Almunia mopped up with ease.

Soon afterwards Ireland took advantage of slackness in the Arsenal defence to put the home side ahead, clipping the ball over Almunia to give City the boost they required going into the second half.

Arsenal were clearly rattled at going behind and Abou Diaby skipped forward in the 47th minute, only to fire wide of the post.

Four minutes later Van Persie saw his free-kick ruffle the side netting after Micah Richards had been penalised for a challenge on the Dutchman.

City, however, responded and extended their lead with a magnificent goal from Robinho in the 57th minute after some superb work from Wright-Phillips.

The England midfielder won the ball off Van Persie in the middle of the park before releasing a perfect through ball for Robinho.

The Brazilian showed a cool head as Almunia advanced to lob the ball over the goalkeeper for his ninth goal of the season.

This was now a test of character for Arsenal and Bendtner should have pulled a goal back four minutes later.

He latched on to a ball from substitute Aaron Ramsey but his weak shot was easily parried by Hart.

Robinho then sent a close-range header wide of the post before finding the net again only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

City were increasingly finding gaps at the back and this was a worrying spell for Wenger.

Robinho almost made it 3-0 three minutes when he latched on to a ball from substitute Elano.

He took it around Almunia only for Djourou to clear his effort off the line.

Van Persie then found the net after clipping the ball out of Hart's hand — but the effort was disallowed.

Substitute Sturridge completed the rout in stoppage-time from the penalty spot after being upended by Djourou to add to Arsenal's misery.