Freddie Ljungberg nudged Manchester City closer to the First Division at Maine Road.

He struck twice in an awesome first-half performance in which Arsenal scored all their goals.

The second half was a non-event with City happy to take part in a damage limitation exercise.

This was their 11th home league defeat in the Premiership and relegation is looking increasingly likely.

Arsenal, in contrast, showed no ill-effects from their FA Cup victory against Tottenham on Sunday and were comfortable winners.

They stormed into a two-goal lead after just nine minutes and were never in danger after that blistering opening spell.

Keeper Carlo Nash made his debut between the posts for City. But Nicky Weaver's replacement could not have had a worse start.

Arsenal went ahead in the eighth minute when Ashley Cole's cross was miscued by Sylvain Wiltord.

But the ball broke nicely for Ljungberg, who knocked it sweetly past Nash.

A minute later City, struggling to get out of the relegation zone, found themselves two down.

Ray Parlour made space down the left and picked out Wiltord, who turned quickly. He drilled a shot through Richard Dunne's legs, leaving Nash unsighted.

Nash was drafted in by manager Joe Royle after blunders in successive games by Weaver. But the keeper was again left exposed in the 17th minute when Arsenal scored a third.

Ljungberg got his second goal of the game with a delightful chip over Nash after Kanu had threaded the ball through.

It was turning into a rout with Arsenal getting stronger as half-time approached.

Kanu showed neat footwork in the 30th minute to make space for himself on the edge of the area but skied his shot into the crowd.

Arsenal were knocking the ball about with the style and composure of a side lying second in the table.

City, in contrast, were struggling to string two passes together and that three-goal blast had knocked the wind out of their sails.

The only time they threatened Arsenal in the opening stages was when Shaun Goater escaped his marker when Danny Tiatto delivered a corner. However, his header sailed over the top.

Arsenal went 4-0 ahead after 37 minutes to leave the City supporters disconsolate. Some even headed for the exits.

Wiltord split the defence with a back heel into the path of Ashley Cole. Unselfishly he delivered the ball to Kanu, who was able to turn in acres of space and fire a shot beyond Nash.

Arsenal continued to knock the ball about at will at the start of the second half.

Kanu was being afforded too much room by the City defence and they nearly paid for their slackness in the 55th minute when he got away down the left.

However's Kanu's delivery to Wiltord was poor and the home side were able to hack the ball away. The Nigerian then saw a shot deflected to safety.

Maine Road fans, however, have not deserted their team despite relegation looking increasingly likely.

Over 33,000 attended the match and there was plenty of gallows humour in their chants.

Arsenal should have added a fifth when Kanu found substitute Thierry Henry lurking at the far post but he somehow contrived to fire his effort wide.

The game was briefly interrupted when two streakers, male and female, raced onto the pitch before being collared by stewards.

The irony was not lost on the City fans; they had seen their team laid bare by Arsenal.

Teams:

Man City: Nash, Dunne, Granville, Haaland, Howey, Wiekens, Tiatto, Kennedy, Whitley (Charvet 74), Wanchope (Huckerby 73), Goater.

Subs Not Used: Ostenstad, Kanchelskis, Weaver.Booked: Kennedy, Granville.

Arsenal: Seaman, Cole, Luzhny, Stepanovs, Keown, Lauren, Ljungberg, Parlour (Vivas 78), Kanu, Wiltord (Henry 74), Edu (Vieira 69).

Subs Not Used: Manninger, Silvinho.

Goals: Ljungberg 8, Wiltord 8, Ljungberg 16, Kanu 36.

Att: 33,444

Ref: N Barry (Scunthorpe).