The men in black are from another planet

SHORTLY after Bernardo Silva had lashed home Manchester City’s second goal a hush fell over the Emirates.

It was time for the sea of light blue in the away section to take over.

“We’ve got Guardiola!” sang the travelling fans before making their way through a brief – and at times way too blue – medley.

The rally with which Arsenal had threatened Pep Guardiola’s defending champions had been snuffed out.

The Gunners had become the second top-six side in as many weeks to find that City have returned from their sun-loungers with even more purpose than last season.

Sporting their away strip, they were men in black here in north London yet they were the ones from a different planet as they simply outclassed Unai Emery’s Gunners side.

Raheem Sterling answered the questions levelled at him by his critics at the World

Cup, and Silva justified the praise heaped on him by Guardiola following his outstanding display in last week’s Community Shield.

There looks to be only one side in the top six capable of troubling this lot — and they aren’t from London or Manchester.

Still there was no Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane or Gabriel Jesus in the starting line-up.

Still it mattered little as

City — just as they did at Wembley against Chelsea last week — cruised to victory.

Red-hot Sterling sliced his way through the ball-watching Arsenal back line to drive home the first. He then started the move which carved out the second.

It looked too easy for City, just as it was in the two Premier League clashes with the Gunners last term.

Arsenal fans will argue that the Gunners landed a few blows after half-time but neutrals will counter that City could have won by six had they not eased off.

Sergio Aguero, left clear by a mistake from new boy Matteo Guendouzi, was far too casual and allowed Petr Cech to pull off a save.

The veteran Arsenal keeper (below) had already kept out Sterling, Riyad Mahrez from a free-kick, and Aymeric Laporte — brilliantly — from the rebound.

With 20 minutes left new boss Emery threw on Alexandre Lacazette to try and chase the game. Guardiola threw on De Bruyne. Then

Sane. Then Jesus.

It was a reminder that City are just getting started as they bid to hold on to their Premier League crown.