Aguero's hat-trick is his 10th in the Premier League for Manchester City - only Alan Shearer (11) has more in the competition's history
Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City cut Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points with a vital win over Arsenal.
The Argentine forward headed City in front after just 46 seconds from Aymeric Laporte's cross.
Laurent Koscielny marked his return from injury with a headed equaliser.
City secured the points when Aguero struck from close range for his second and third goals - both from assists by Raheem Sterling.
- Reaction from Etihad Stadium as Man City beat Arsenal
His third - and 14th league goal of the season - was controversial as the ball struck his arm as he slid in to meet Sterling's cross but it was not intentional and the goal was allowed to stand.
It was a fine response by Pep Guardiola's side after their surprise 2-1 defeat at lowly Newcastle last Tuesday.
The City manager had urged his side to beat Arsenal in style to keep the pressure on Liverpool - and his players responded at Etihad Stadium.
Leaders Liverpool will restore a five-point cushion at the top if they win at West Ham United on Monday (20:00 GMT).
Arsenal, who started the weekend fourth in the table, finish it down in sixth after being overtaken by Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Gunners are without an away win in the top-flight since 25 November.
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Man City
31Ederson
2Walker
25Fernandinho
30Otamendi
14Laporte
17De BruyneSubstituted forMahrezat 88'minutes
8GündoganBooked at 65mins
21Silva
20Bernardo Silva
10AgüeroSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 81'minutes
7Sterling
Substitutes
3Danilo
5Stones
18Delph
19Sané
26Mahrez
33Gabriel Jesus
49Muric
Arsenal
19Leno
12Lichtsteiner
20MustafiSubstituted forMavropanosat 79'minutes
6Koscielny
18Monreal
17IwobiSubstituted forRamseyat 66'minutes
11TorreiraBooked at 40mins
29Guendouzi
31KolasinacSubstituted forD Suárezat 66'minutes
9Lacazette
14Aubameyang
Substitutes
1Cech
4Elneny
8Ramsey
10Özil
22D Suárez
27Mavropanos
49Nketiah
Referee:
Martin Atkinson
Attendance:
54,483
Match Stats
Home TeamMan CityAway TeamArsenal
Possession
Home59%
Away41%
Shots
Home19
Away4
Shots on Target
Home12
Away2
Corners
Home4
Away2
Fouls
Home11
Away8
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Manchester City 3, Arsenal 1.
Full TimePosted at 90'+4'
Second Half ends, Manchester City 3, Arsenal 1.
Posted at 90'
Attempt missed. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by David Silva.
SubstitutionPosted at 88'
Substitution, Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez replaces Kevin De Bruyne because of an injury.
Posted at 87'
Attempt blocked. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.
Posted at 85'
Attempt saved. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
Posted at 84'
Foul by David Silva (Manchester City).
Posted at 84'
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 83'
David Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).
Posted at 82'
Attempt saved. David Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.
SubstitutionPosted at 81'
Substitution, Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus replaces Sergio Agüero.
SubstitutionPosted at 79'
Substitution, Arsenal. Konstantinos Mavropanos replaces Shkodran Mustafi because of an injury.
Posted at 79'
Foul by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).
Posted at 79'
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 78'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 76'
Delay in match Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) because of an injury.
Posted at 76'
Attempt saved. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Posted at 75'
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal).
Posted at 73'
Foul by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City).
Posted at 73'
Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 72'
Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Silva.
Posted at 67'
Attempt saved. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
SubstitutionPosted at 66'
Substitution, Arsenal. Denis Suárez replaces Sead Kolasinac.
SubstitutionPosted at 66'
Substitution, Arsenal. Aaron Ramsey replaces Alex Iwobi.
Posted at 66'
Foul by David Silva (Manchester City).
Posted at 66'
Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
BookingPosted at 65'
Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 65'
Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) has gone down, but that's a dive.
Goal!Posted at 61'
Goal! Manchester City 3, Arsenal 1. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) with an attempt from very close range to the bottom left corner.
Posted at 60'
Fernandinho (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 60'
Foul by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).
Posted at 59'
Ederson (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 59'
Dangerous play by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).
Posted at 56'
Attempt saved. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
Posted at 53'
Offside, Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne tries a through ball, but Kyle Walker is caught offside.
Posted at 53'
Attempt saved. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.
Posted at 51'
Attempt saved. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.
Posted at 49'
Attempt blocked. David Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Source: bbc.com