Published On: Sun, Sep 22nd, 2024
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Man City 2-2 Arsenal player ratings: Walker disaster, Gunners trio star | Football | Sport


Manchester City vs Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli running against Kyle Walker. (Image: Getty.)

Arsenal came agonisingly close to passing the ultimate test of keeping Manchester City at bay with 10 men as they were denied a momentous victory by John Stones in the dying seconds of the match.

The hosts took the lead via Erling Haaland after a superb turn by Savinho to get away from Riccardo Calafiori. But after Rodri was forced off with injury, Arsenal levelled proceedings through their Italian left-back from range, before Gabriel completed the comeback with another goal from a corner.

Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card on the stroke of half-time for delaying the restart, giving the Gunners an uphill task in the remaining 45 minutes.

They looked like succeeding in denying City but Stones poked home in the 98th minute to rescue the hosts and deny Arsenal a famous victory at the Etihad.

Express Sport rates every Manchester City and Arsenal player’s performance below…

Manchester City player ratings

Ederson – 5

Another goalkeeper caught in the trap of being crowded out in the box for one of Arsenal‘s corners. Ederson pleaded for a foul as Gabriel wheeled away celebrating, but like so many before him, there was no infringement and he simply needed to do more to prevent a point-blank header.

Kyle Walker – 3

An unmitigated disaster from City’s captain. Arsenal‘s first goal could partially be blamed on referee Anthony Taylor, who called Kyle Walker over for a conversation shortly before the visitors’ quick free-kick led to Calafiori’s goal, but Walker was still given some time to get back in place and stop Gabriel Martinelli.

Walker can only have himself to blame for their second, however. He tried to tap Gabriel on the side several times to put the Brazilian off, only to be left in his dust, wrong-footed while the Arsenal man leapt to get on the end of another Bukayo Saka corner.

Ruben Dias – 6

A quiet day for Ruben Dias who had little to do, especially in the second half as Arsenal opted against playing with a recognised striker, following Trossard’s red card.

Manuel Akanji – 6

Similar to his centre-back partner, Manuel Akanji would have hoped to do more for Gabriel’s goal but ultimately the blame laid elsewhere.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

Josko Gvardiol kept Saka relatively quiet and the England star was hooked at half-time, giving the left-back the license to go forward and attack, but he was unable to influence the game going forward. Nearly broke the Arsenal backline with a strong effort late on that was parried away by David Raya, before Stones came to the rescue.

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-ARSENAL

Kyle Walker blamed the referee for Arsenal’s opening goal. (Image: Getty)

Rodri – 6

Had to be taken off after 20 minutes with a suspected knee injury, but Rodri was his usual best and it was no coincidence that City scored while he was on the pitch.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

Had the chance to score a wondergoal in the first half, having brought down Bernardo Silva’s fizzed pass by clipping the ball over the Arsenal defence, but fired wide.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Would have hoped to enjoy a greater effect on the match, filling the void of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden. However, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey did a solid job on the Portuguese maestro.

Savinho – 8

An excellent turn to fool Calafiori on the halfway line before slipping in Haaland for City’s goal. His assist was a glimpse of what the Brazilian can bring to the club and was one of the brighter sparks of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Jeremy Doku – 5

Less effective on the left, with Timber doing an impressive job on the winger. He was replaced not long after the hour mark by Foden.

Erling Haaland – 8

Haaland scored a typical goal in the first half, latching onto Savinho’s through ball after making space for himself between William Saliba and Gabriel.

His 100th for City and undoubtedly there will be many more to come.

Subs: Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, John Stones – 8 – for his very late finish.

Manchester City FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Erling Haaland stabbing the ball past David Raya. (Image: Getty)

Arsenal player ratings

David Raya – 7

Rendered obsolete for the goals he conceded, but City struggled to force the Spaniard into any saves of the ilk of his heroics last time out against Atalanta. He did make a few smart stops in the second half, particularly a late effort from Gvardiol, which required some saving, before being denied by Stones’ late effort.

Jurrien Timber – 8

A slightly changed role for Timber this week, moving out to the right in Ben White’s absence, giving the daunting task of handling the tricky Doku.

However, the Dutchman was Arsenal‘s best defender and kept his man out of the game, showcasing exactly why Arteta was so keen to steal him away from Ajax and what a big miss he was last season.

William Saliba – 6

A quieter evening for Saliba but he will be disappointed not to have tracked Haaland’s run better for the Norwegian’s goal.

Gabriel – 8

Gabriel is becoming Arsenal‘s biggest attacking threat. Both against City and last week against Tottenham he made the difference, latching onto Saka’s corners, with teams seemingly powerless to prevent the drawn-up set play.

Riccardo Calafiori – 8

On for his first Premier League start, Calafiori will be delighted not only to hit the back of the net with a curling effort from distance, but a strong performance at left-back.

Aside from losing Savinho too easily, which led to Haaland’s goal, the Italian was solid and another powerful weapon available at the back for Arteta.

Manchester City FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Gabriel rising highest at the back post to score. (Image: Getty)

Declan Rice – 6

Having turned down City to join Arsenal from West Ham a year ago, Rice would have been keen to leave his mark and offered a solid, if unspectacular display.

Thomas Partey – 6

The Ghanaian worked hard to protect the back four, and in the second half a back five, behind him.

Leandro Trossard – 3

Trossard nearly cost Arsenal the match, and even potentially the title race, with a silly red card on the stroke of half-time. The visitors were on the verge of a hugely encouraging opening 45 minutes, when he picked up a second yellow.

Gary Neville dubbed the decision “stupidity” after Trossard opted to delay the restart of a free-kick and boot the ball away after fouling Silva. He will feel fortunate that Arsenal still came away with the three points.

Bukayo Saka – 7

Substituted off at half-time, it was a quiet first 45 minutes for Saka but his whipped delivery on a corner was perfect for Gabriel to attack.

Kai Havertz – 6

Another evening for Kai Havertz where he had to work hard as opposed to being an attacking presence, but he completed the task at hand and even had to drop into midfield for the second half, where he helped the Gunners defend as a unit.

Gabriel Martinelli – 7

Martinelli was quick off his mark to react quicker to a ranging Walker, setting up Calafiori for Arsenal‘s first goal. If the Brazilian can recapture his best form he could be quite the asset this season, with Raheem Sterling waiting in the wings.

Subs: Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Jesus, Myles Lewis-Skelly.



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