Pep Guardiola was pleased by Manchester City’s roaring return to action against Arsenal after the lengthy coronavirus suspension.

It had been 101 days since the Manchester derby defeat at Old Trafford and there were plenty of unknowns heading into Wednesday’s encounter given the extended break and unusual surroundings.

But City coped better with the situation than Arsenal, who were hampered by David Luiz’s calamitous appearance off the bench at an empty Etihad Stadium.

The substitute’s error allowed Raheem Sterling to score and the Brazilian was sent off after bringing down Riyad Mahrez in the box, leading Kevin De Bruyne to score a spot-kick that was added to late on by Phil Foden to complete a 3-0 win.

Luiz’s rustiness was key to the loss and the defender is out of contract at the end of June.

“I don’t know what will happen with his contract,” Arteta said.

“I know what happened today. I know the way David reacted because I know him well, not only as a player but a person as well.

“There was a reason why I didn’t select him from the start and he had to play because Pablo got injured.

“He’s always going to try and give you his best.”

Luiz came out to speak to the cameras and took the blame for the defeat, plus the confusion over his future.

“Simple as that, it’s my fault,” he said. “The team did well, especially with 10 men. The coach is amazing, all the players are amazing, it was just my fault.

“I should have taken a different decision in the last two months but I didn’t, all about my contract, if I stay here or not. I have 14 days to be here and that’s it. I should have tried to decide my future as early as possible, but I didn’t.

“I want to be here. The coach knows. He wants me to stay and we are waiting for the decisions.”

Arteta kept things short in his virtual post-match press conference and gave little away when asked about the absence of Mesut Ozil from the squad.

“It was a tactical reason,” he said, before adding upon being pushed: “Because I need players in other positions as well, so that’s why I decided to leave him out.