David Luiz howlers cost Arsenal dear as Manchester City stroll to victory - in pictures

Sterling, De Bruyne and Foden all on target as City win first game back after Covid-19 shutdown

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has his shirt pulled by Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during the match at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, June 17. City won the game 3-0. Reuters

Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz. AFP

Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte in action. Reuters

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is stretchered off the pitch. EPA

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah vies for the ball against Manchester City's French defender Aymeric Laporte. AFP

Manchester City's David Silva looks on as the big screen displays fans. Reuters

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hurdles a challenge from Manchester City's English defender Kyle Walker. AFP

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta (L) and Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola. AFP

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy in action with Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi. Reuters

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling scores their first goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates. Reuters

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates. AFP

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus in action with Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi. Reuters

A member of staff disinfects a goal frame during half time as play resumes behind closed doors. Reuters

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring the opening goal. AFP

Arsenal's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi. AFO

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their first goal. Reuters

General view of empty seats at the Etihad Stadium. EPA

Manchester City got back to winning ways with an emphatic 3-0 win over Arsenal.

After 100 days of inaction, the Premier League returned with reigning champions City putting on a slick show at a rain-drenched Etihad, aided in no small part by some calamitous Arsenal defending.

The Gunners' cause was hindered by one of their own as David Luiz was culpable for City's first two goals.

The Brazilian misjudged Kevin de Bruyne's pass, allowing the ball to bounce off his thigh and invitingly into the path of Raheem Sterling, who smashed home his first goal of 2020 just before half time.

City's second was another gift from the Brazilian who once again got his timing all wrong. Luiz hesitated and allowed Riyad Mahrez to dart past him and into the Arsenal area. The Brazilian pulled the City winger down and was promptly shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor, with De Bruyne stroking home the spot kick.

Luiz, who replaced the injured Pablo Mari early in the first half, will now miss Saturday's match away to Brighton through suspension.

Phil Foden starred in a cameo role to smash home the third goal, while there is concern for City's young Spanish defender Eric Garcia, who required lengthy treatment towards the end of the match following a collision with his goalkeeper Ederson.

City's victory means Liverpool cannot win the Premier League title at Everton on Sunday.

They could be crowned champions on Monday if Burnley can beat City at the Etihad.