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Arsenal were punished for a lapse in concentration and a conservative approach to their line-up. Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal spared them defeat but the damage remained.
Manchester City struck first early in the first half. A quick counter-attack allowed Erling Haaland to finish a one-on-one situation. The Gunners pushed for the equaliser throughout the first half but struggled to make much of note.
At half-time, Mikel Arteta made two changes with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze entering the fray. It became so apparent that the side had needed this injection from the start.
Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:
David Raya – Was sat down by Haaland for the goal in a tough one-on-one situation. In his second one-on-one, he found the stop to prevent his side from going two down. 6
Jurrien Timber – Tenacious but perhaps overexuberant at times, and was booked early in the second half for a foul on Jeremy Doku. He was solid throughout but couldn’t prove a difference down the right. 7
William Saliba – Was left two-on-one for the City goal and could do little to cover both the run of Haaland while jockeying Reijnders. His job then became distributor from the back as the game turned into attack vs defence. 7
Gabriel Magalhaes – It was only when the Brazilian would be caught out high that he looked vulnerable and the Gunners were punished. 7
Riccardo Calafiori – It was the rather speculative cross from the Italian which allowed for the turnover in play that led to the early Haaland goal. A wasteful shot from outside the box brought groans from fans late on. 6
Martin Zubimendi – Slick in his passing of the ball into the wide areas, but lacked the attacking flair of a midfield partner whose directive was to attack. A chance early in the second half from the edge of the box, which just went over the bar. 6
Declan Rice – Wanted to get the ball forwards as much as possible, and had the typical danger from his whipped corner kicks. 6
Mikel Merino – The controversial pick in the selection again, and lost in possession inside his own half and surrendered a big chance among frustrations of a lack of attacking threat, was rightly replaced at half-time. 5
Noni Madueke – Had the beating of O’Reilly, finding ways to drive to the byline and put some dangerous passes into the box that no one was there to meet. Forced a good save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, which nearly led to a goal and was unfortunate to be replaced at half-time. 7
Leandro Trossard – Started after his good form in Bilbao, the Belgian was on the periphery of things in the first half, besides flooring Bernardo Silva after chucking the ball at him. He moved centrally when Martinelli entered the field in a desperate attempt to create more danger in the middle. 6
Viktor Gyokeres – Again, in the first half, he struck an isolated figure, and one could not help but think back to Kai Havertz and his importance, dropping in, during these types of games. It took until the 70th minute for Arsenal to try a low driven pass through the frontman, which brought about a corner. 5
Substitutes
Bukayo Saka – Instantly involved in the game from half-time with driving runs, and crosses. Back from injury, it was always going to be a challenge to come in and make a key difference and sadly he fell short. 6
Eberechi Eze – Volleyed effort at goal from the edge of the box, minutes into his second-half appearance, saved by Donnarumma. Brilliant pass through the gap to find Saka for a cross as the impact of the extra attacking player was evident immediately and it would be his pass that proved vital for thew goal. 8
Gabriel Martinelli – Replaced Jurrien Timber. Gabriel Martinelli became hero for the second game running, scoring late on the equaliser. 7
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