Man City confirm long-time fan died on way to watch Blues at Arsenal

Man City confirmed a fan of the club had died on their way to the match against Arsenal.[Courtesy]

Manchester City have confirmed that a long-time fan of the club died on his way to watching his team's fixture with Arsenal.

The Sky Blues were involved in Premier League action away at the Emirates stadium in north London on Sunday.

City posted the tragic news in a statement on the club's Twitter account.

The statement read: "Manchester City wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of a long-time City supporter who passed away today on his way to attending the game at Arsenal.

"The thoughts of all at the Club are with the family and loved ones at this very sad time."

The identity of the fan has not been confirmed, but City players and fellow supporters sent their own condolences by commenting on the post. Raheem Sterling scored in the win over Arsenal, and commented with sad face and heartbreak emojis.

One fan wrote: "RIP. The blue family will have an empty place at the table tonight."

Fans from other clubs also paid their respects, while another City fan wrote: "Rest in peace, this win is for you."

City were at least able to offer some form of solace with a victory over Arsenal that the fan would have been proud of.

Kevin De Bruyne was in inspired form, scoring twice and assisting Sterling in an impressive first half display that saw City take a commanding 3-0 lead.

Raheem Sterling commented on Man City's post.[Courtesy]

The Belgian midfielder put his side into the lead after just two minutes, storming into the box to emphatically steer Gabriel Jesus' cut back into the roof of the net.

With little under quarter of an hour gone, Sterling doubled City's advantage, as his side cut through Arsenal with pinpoint passing to move the ball from back to front.

De Bruyne received the ball in the final third, before driving into the area and squaring across the six-yard box for Sterling to tap home.

Arsenal rallied, but the game was as good as over when De Bruyne curled home City's third before the break.

After turning onto a pass from Phil Foden, the 28-year-old switched the ball onto his left foot, before finding the bottom corner from outside the box.

His effort left Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno no chance, and almost had his hat-trick moments later but for the hand of the German stopper.

Foden again set the ball off for his teammate, who whipped a shot at goal that looked destined for the top corner, only for Leno to tip it onto the post.

City's win sees them reduce the gap between them and second-placed Leicester to just four points.