Arsenal have really improved  yheir chances in the Premier League title race with a 2-1 win at home to rivals Manchester City on Monday that swept away a few more doubts about their title credentials.

Arsene Wenger’s team showed championship form with first-half goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud while Man City came awake in the late stages when Yaya Toure netted with eight minutes remaining.

Toure’s goal sparked a late resurgence from Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but they could not find a leveller, meaning City have now not won away in the league since September and have lost three of their last five on the road.

Arsenal, who have not lost at home in the league since the first game of the season, stay second in the table, two points behind surprise team Leicester City, but four clear of Pellegrini’s side.

The early stages were withdrawn with both sides not giving anything away.p

Mesut Ozil set up Walcott on the left edge of the penalty area and the England forward turned and curled the ball into the far corner.

Arsenal’s second arrived in first-half stoppage time, via Ozil again, who worked the ball to Giroud.

The Frenchman had little goal to aim at but fired his left footed effort between England keeper Joe Hart’s legs for his 10th league goal of the season.

Arsenal should have put the contest to bed early in the second half but Joel Campbell blazed a great chance over and then stubbed an effort at Hart,

Those misses could have cost Arsenal dear as City pulled a goal back when Toure powerfully found the top corner with his left foot, prompting a late surge from the visitors who sniffed their chance to grab a point.

Arsenal held firm, however, and go into the hectic Christmas period with confidence booming.