The perfect visual representation of Sunday’s match, and the moment it was definitively killed as any kind of a contest, came in the 15th minute.

At that point, just before Kevin De Bruyne played the pass for Raheem Sterling to make it 2-0, the Belgian had enough time and space to cushion the ball into his own path despite three Arsenal players giving chase. So much focus on him, so little challenge to him. This apparent contradiction in logic was one big reason for the big difference in the scoreline, at 3-0. This was also the entire match: Arsenal players just chasing after De Bruyne in such futile fashion. It may have been a game of many themes, including Manchester City’s own necessary response to recent problems, but it was still all about one man. De Bruyne used the immense gap between his side and Arsenal to really elevate this evening, and put in one of the Premier League’s great individual displays.

It was not, however, one of the great Premier League events. Far from it. It was often a shambles. Arsenal’s display was as supine as the club’s statement distancing themselves from Mesut Ozil’s comments condemning the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.

Nothing about the German’s on-pitch performance was anywhere as strong as that, mind, and he was eventually hauled off to a combination of applause and boos. Ozil then kicked his gloves away in frustration, but it wasn’t the only time on the day he had expressed such sentiment.

He was vocally admonishing teammates after the second goal. Shortly after the third, however, he was one of many Arsenal players seemingly just jogging around in response to City’s casual passes in the opposition half.

That’s how bad this had got as a contest, and way before half-time.

You couldn’t even really say that City had taken out their anger on Arsenal, after last week’s Manchester derby defeat, because it was just made so easy for them.

Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Show all 22 1 /22 Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Bernd Leno - 6 NORWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Bernd Leno of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Arsenal FC at Carrow Road on December 01, 2019 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal chases the ball during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Standard Liege at Emirates Stadium on October 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Calum Chambers - 5 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Calum Chambers of Arsenal before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 6 Arsenal's Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos pleads with Referee Graham Scott after receiving a yellow card during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 5, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Sead Kolasinac - 5 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal speaks to the medical team as he walks off injured during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Matteo Guendouzi - 6 Arsenal's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Lucas Torreira - 6 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City is put under pressure by Lucas Torreira of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Nicolas Pepe - 6 Arsenal's Swedish Interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg (R) speaks with Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (L) and Arsenal's English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Mesut Ozil - 6 Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil prepares to take a freekick during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Gabriel Martinelli - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Ederson - 7 BURNLEY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Detail picture of the neck tattoo on City goalkeeper Ederson during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester City at Turf Moor on December 03, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Kyle Walker - 6 Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) vies with Manchester City's English defender Kyle Walker (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Nicolas Otamendi - 7 Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (C) vies with Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho (L) and Manchester City's Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Fernandinho - 7 LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal battles for possession with Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Benjamin Mendy - 5 Manchester City's French defender Benjamin Mendy warms up for the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Manchester City and Atalanta at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on October 22, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Rodri - 7 Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri (2nd L) vies with Arsenal's Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira (2nd R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Ilkay Gundogan - 7 Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan passes the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Raheem Sterling - 7 Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Kevin De Bruyne - 9 Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Phil Foden - 7 Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) celebrates with Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (L) and Manchester City's English midfielder Phil Foden (R) after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Arsenal vs Man City Gabriel Jesus - 7 Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil (L) vies with Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images

You could, however, say the game ceased as a contest as early as the second minute. That was when City went ahead. That was when the pattern of the game perfectly fell for them. That was when De Bruyne first illuminated it.

Jesus had played a fine ball from the left, but it did bounce up a little awkwardly, only for the Belgian to catch it perfectly first-time and send it soaring into the roof of the net. It was like a golf swings where the contact is barely felt, such was the purity of the execution.

What was so wonderful about it was its instinctive nature, but what was so bad for Arsenal was how they seemed to succumb to their worst instincts. They literally let City walk - or at least run quite loosely - right through them. It was all the worse since the first moment of the game had seen a Gabriel Martinelli run hint at that fragility in Pep Guardiola’s defence. It just didn’t matter. Not against this Arsenal.

Freddie Ljungberg may well be a great coach, and may well prove to be a brilliant manager, but his side currently look like one who really do need one of those high-intensity rigorous disciplinarians to impose some kind of order.

There’s just no order in this team.

Then again, they couldn’t even really manage the modern fundamental of playing it out from the back, such was the manner they kept gifting it to City. De Bruyne particularly used this to just enjoy himself, and exhibit his full range of technique.

That is what was so marked about a performance that was actually the first to see him score twice in a single Premier League match.

The first goal was of course the pick of it.

Not far behind, however, was the touch he used to cushion the ball into his path for Jesus’ goal. There was then the guided curl on his own second goal.

Perhaps the most stirring moment of the match was when the ball just sat up for De Bruyne outside the box, and everyone in the stadium of course knew what was about to happen seconds before it did. So visibly sizing the loose ball up, De Bruyne wrapped his foot around it first time and curled it towards the top corner.

The only impediment to such perfection was a supreme save, as Bernd Leno touched just touched it onto the post.

The goalkeeper was one of the few Arsenal players to acquit themselves respectably, but it almost feels pointless to blame individuals or indeed the manager right now. There is a dysfunction at this club that goes deep, and requires real rigour to fix.

That naturally meant Arsenal were the perfect opposition for City to fix some of their own problems. They were barely a challenge. This was barely a match.