Arsenal knocked north London rivals Tottenham off the top of the Premiership, and wrote themselves into the goalscoring record books in the process.

	Sol Campbell keeps tabs on Anelka (ShaunBotterill/GettyImages)

Goals from Barclaycard Player of the Month Sylvain Wiltord and Thierry Henry meant the Gunners hit the back of the net for the 44th consecutive top flight match - equalling the mark set by City in 1937.

They are now two short of the all-time record set by Chesterfield in 1931.

City's reply came from former Highbury hero Nicolas Anelka. He was booed throughout by the home fans who used to adore him, but silenced them with a bullet header which cancelled out the first goal.

City's misery was complete when skipper Ali Benarbia abused a linesman six minutes from the end and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

It was the current Highbury darling, Henry, who had the first chance in the third minute when he nipped in behind Marc-Vivien Foe but aimed his delicate lob over Peter Schmeichel's bar.

Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman had already had one jittery moment this season in conceding a goal direct from a Gianfranco Zola free-kick at Stamford Bridge, and he almost had another one after five minutes of this game when City won the first corner.

Benarbia played it short to Shaun Wright-Phillips, the son of former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, and when he received the return pass he curled the ball deep beyond Seaman and saw it cannon back off the crossbar.

Benarbia was a little unfortunate to earn the first yellow card of the night after 22 minutes, mis-timing a tackle from behind on Patrick Vieira, which immediately had referee Clive Wilkes reaching into his top pocket.

The game exploded into life with two goals in as many minutes as first Wiltord gave Arsenal the lead with a record-equalling strike, before Anelka responded for Kevin Keegan's team.

City's defence was carved open by Bergkamp in the 26th minute and it was in-form Wiltord who score his second goal in four days.

Bergkamp caught the defence cold with a clever through ball, and Wiltord - who scored France's winner in their 2-1 win over Cyprus at the weekend - out-paced Niclas Jensen, carried it to the edge of the box and slotted the ball past Schmeichel.

It was his fifth goal of the domestic campaign to keep him on top of the Premiership goalscoring charts.

But two minutes later Benarbia's deep cross from the right sailed over the head of Martin Keown and Anelka dived in ahead of Oleg Luzhny to bury his header inside the far post - his third goal in two games following a two against Everton.

The drama was not over yet. On the half hour Henry raced clear and was denied by a brilliant save from Schmeichel, diving low to his right to push the ball around the post.

Then four minutes later Sylvain Distain tripped Henry in an off the ball incident on the edge of the box.

The referee had seen it and awarded the free-kick as well as a yellow card for the former Newcastle defender.

It was then left to Henry to curl the set piece around the wall but wide of the goal.

Patrick Vieira was booked for a late challenge on Eyal Berkovic as he struggled to keep up with the tricky Israeli after 37 minutes, adding to his disciplinary troubles.

	Marc-Vivien Foe puts pressure on Thierry Henry (ShaunBotterill/GettyImages)

Ashley Cole set up Henry to give Arsenal the lead four minutes before the break.

The England full-back made a great run down the left flank before pulling the ball back to Henry inside the box. Henry made no mistake, side-footing a shot into the bottom far corner.

It might have been three for Arsenal but Wiltord ran on to another Bergkamp pass and fired beyond the far post in injury time. If Arsenal had managed to get bodies in at the far post they would have scored two goals in as many minutes just after the restart.

First, after 47 minutes, Edu's teasing low cross from the left evaded everybody. Then there was a carbon copy after 49 minutes, this time with Henry supplying the cross which nobody could finish.

Vieira had a worrying moment after 55 minutes when he clipped the heels of Berkovic again.

Wilkes awarded the free-kick but quite rightly kept his cards in his pocket, despite the protestations of the Israeli.

Darren Huckerby had hardly got a touch all night for City and it was no surprise to see him replaced by Shaun Goater after 58 minutes.

The game suddenly flashed into life after 67 minutes when Anelka brilliantly beat Cole and Keown inside the box to create something from nothing, and his fierce shot was pushed round his post by Seaman.

Arsenal broke free from the corner and Henry raced away to lash the ball beyond Schmeichel - only to have his celebrations cut short by an offside flag.

Kolo Toure, whose goal rescued a point at Chelsea, was introduced for Arsenal in place of Edu after 73 minutes and Kevin Horlock came on for City in place of Steve Howey after 78 minutes.

Toure wasted a shooting chance when he chose to cross instead after 79 minutes, while in the next minute Anelka did get in a shot at the other end, only to see Sol Campbell make a good block.

City's misery was compounded after 84 minutes when Benarbia abused a linesman over a decision he disagreed with. The referee produced a second yellow card followed by the red to leave City to finish the match with 10 men.

Arsenal ended the night where they will hope to end the season - on top of the Premiership, although Spurs can reclaim top spot by winning at Fulham.