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Manchester City beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium in a match that was resolved by England striker Raheem Sterling’s goal in the 23rd minute.
Title hopefuls City owes much to an inspired performance by goalkeeper Ederson, whose superb saves prevented Arsenal from threatening to end their 29-game winless streak against the ‘top six’.
Granit Xhaka worked hard as Arsenal struggled to find the inspiration needed to threaten the City, while Bukayo Saka was instrumental in many of the Gunners’ best attacks. Sportsmail takes a look at the player ratings from the meeting between former training partners Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta …
Man City (3-4-3) Ederson – 9
A series of brilliant and reflex saves kept Arsenal at bay in the first half. Good handling and strokes and excellent footwork.
Kyle Walker – 6
The winger played in a back three and looked comfortable, although he enjoyed a bit of luck with a high-start challenge on Gabriel.
Ruben Dias – 7
One of four defenders who cost a total of £ 207 million, but looked comfortable in a new environment. Cautioned for a foul on Saka.
Nathan Ake – 7
He showed pace and composure and did a couple of key challenges that kept Pepe at bay, but reserved for wasting time.
Joao Cancelo – 6
The winger played an advanced role and was asked to cover a lot of ground. He showed discipline but cautioned for a nasty foul on Tierney.
Rodri – 7
Fluid role deep in midfield, often fitting in on the defensive line. In an experimental defensive formation, he offered protection.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Playing deeper and more central than normal, but efficient and orderly with the ball, he rarely wasted a pass.
Phil Foden – 7
Strong performance on the left wing, he should have scored one, his shot led to the first goal and he seemed a constant threat.
Riyad Mahrez – 8
Very lively game, in good shape at the moment and deserved a goal for his pace of work and ambition.
Raheem Sterling – 7
Big mistake for England in the middle of the week, but he was not going to miss the open goal that crossed him in the first half.
Sergio Aguero – 7
It was a huge foul for City and it reminded Guardiola why, kicking off the movement for the opener and setting Foden up for what should have been a second.
Subs
Ilkay Gündoğan (for Agüero, 64 minutes) – 6
Fernandinho (for Foot 88mins) – 5
Subs (not used): Stones, Steffen, Torres, Fernandinho, Delap, García.
Arsenal (4-3-3) Bernd Leno – 7
Busier of the two goalkeepers and made a couple of decent saves, particularly from the busy Mahrez.
Hector Bellerin – 5
Tortured by Foden from the right and barely able to get out of his own half.
David Luiz – 6
Called from the bench when Holding was injured in the warm-up and recovered well from his nightmare outing last time at the Etihad.
Gabriel Maghalhaes – 6
He came close with a shot late in the first half and asked for a pen when Walker made a big challenge.
Kieran Tierney – 7
He was allowed to play despite Covid’s confusion and Mahrez gave him a tough test. One of the best battles of the night.
Dani Ceballos – 5
Mainly forced to perform defensive duties in front of his rear four and covered a lot of ground in rearguard action.
Granit Xhaka – 5
The lack of creativity in midfield was obvious and Xhaka was not the answer, as City dominated possession.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Arsenal’s best two chances fell to him alone for Ederson to improve on both times, but he was instrumental in many of Arsenal’s best moments.
Nicolas Pepe – 6
Rare sight of goal, but he headed straight for Ederson seconds after the restart, sustaining an injury in the process.
Willian – 6
He played down the middle up front, but his best moments came from wide open positions with his usual delivery of dead eyes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 6
I had a one-on-one first half with Ederson that was flagged for offside, but he probably would have stopped … but it was denied by the goalkeeper.
Subs
Alexandre Lacazette (for Willian, 69 minutes) – 6
Thomas Partey (for Xhaka, 82 minutes) – 5
Eddie Nketiah (for Pepe, 82 minutes) – 5
Subs (not used): Runarsson, Maitland-Niles, Elneny.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh 7
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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