Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia deflected Micah Richards' header into his own net to give City the lead after 20 minutes.

Dutch striker Robin van Persie leveled the score with a low shot just after the hour mark but City struck three times in 10 minutes to sink the Gunners.

Welshman Craig Bellamy restored City's lead on 74 minutes after being set-up by Richards.

Adebayor headed home the third before infuriating Arsenal fans by running the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of them.

The Togolese striker, who joined City from Arsenal in the close season, was consequently booked. He apologized to the Gunners' supporters after the game.

"I shouldn't have done what I did but the emotion took over me and I'm sorry for what I've done," he told Sky Sports News.

Shaun Wright-Philips added the fourth with six minutes remaining before Tomas Rosicky, who made his long-awaited comeback from injury, notched a consolation for Arsenal.

Chelsea, who played a game more than City, also maintained their 100% record after a last-gasp Florent Malouda goal handed them a 2-1 victory at Stoke City.

Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye put Stoke ahead on 32 minutes but Didier Drogba cancelled out his effort just before the break.

French winger Malouda snatched the winner deep into stoppage time.

The match's goals