Arsenal player ratings vs Man City: Raheem Sterling sinks Gunners

Arsenal lost 1-0 against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday as Raheem Sterling’s goal after 72 seconds settled the contest.

Mikel Arteta made five changes to his side from the team that drew 1-1 with Benfica in the Europa League, although the trio of Martin Odegaard, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka retained their places for the crucial clash.

As is customary in this fixture, it only took a matter of seconds for the deadlock to be broken.

Raheem Sterling found spec in between Rob Holding and Pablo Mari to direct a header beyond Bernd Leno, with Man City utterly dominating in every department. They tightened their grip without adding more to the scoreline, as the hosts started to grow into the match.

Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday as Raheem Sterling strikes early

Getting joy down their left side, Arsenal threatened but were lacking the clinical edge and final ball to truly punish Manchester City. Tierney got into good positions, but lacked the killer touch.

It felt like a more even contest in the second half, even if Arsenal were sorely lacking in quality in the final third of the pitch. Even seeing the majority of the ball, sloppiness and fatigue went hand in hand.

Unable to create anything of note, let alone a shot on target, the Citizens were able to comfortably see the game out for a 1-0 win.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Made one notable save. Despite all of City’s dominance, Leno was never truly tested and passed the ball around well enough.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 4/10 – Bellerin is the chosen scapegoat in this team, however unfairly that may be. However, there can’t be many complaints if he is criticised for today’s performance as it was a poor day at the office for the Spaniard. Also caught ball watching too often.

Rob Holding (CB) – 6/10 – Like a rabbit in the headlights, Holding was chasing the ball all over the pitch and not working in unison with his midfielders. Pushing and moving when he didn’t need to be, he left holes to expose that should have been his to fill. Poor positioning to allow Sterling to get a header in the six-yard box, but as Arsenal grew into the match, so too did Holding.

He loves playing under pressure, with the bit between his teeth and angry coursing through his veins. Score goes up after a torrid opening.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 5/10 – Obvious signs of rustiness having been out through injury, it’s hard for any centre-half to contend with the constant interchanging of City’s forwards and midfield. Given freedom to press high but sloppy on the ball.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 5/10 – Welcome back, Kieran…. The Scot was torn to shreds in the opening stages by Riyad Mahrez, and while he got tighter afterwards, the left side was a source of joy for City who pummeled that flank with bodies and trickery.

A tough day for Tierney, who found more joy when he was overlapping Saka after that rocky start, even if his final ball uncharacteristically let him down. Looked absolutely shattered out there.

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 5/10 – Was he backwards a lot? Yes. Did Mikel Arteta allow the centre-backs to go beyond him so he’d be lees inclined to go back? Yes. Did he still go back a lot? Yes.

All of which doesn’t mean Elneny did badly. He didn’t misplace a single pass in the first half and was tidy, but the negativity on the ball was killing any hopes of forays forward. Odegaard and co must’ve been pulling their hair out (as with supporters) to see the ball always go back.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 – No signs of fatigue for Xhaka, who was key to Arsenal wrestling some control as the game wore on. Best player alongside Saka.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 4/10 – Barely got a sniff of the ball. Sounded out by the City holding midfielders and made to be almost anonymous all afternoon. Arsenal’s only joy came down the left wing and on the rare occasions Odegaard was presented with possession, he fluffed his lines.

Marked out of the game effectively by the visitors and not found by Elneny. Very poor today.

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10 – One of few players on the day willing to take risks and open the game up, whether through a slaloming run or via a more direct pass into his fellow forwards. Had no help from his strike partner and you couldn’t help but feel sorry for him out there, even if he was guilty of being sloppy in key moments. Very unlike him.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 3/10 – Might as well have not played. Daren’t look at his touch map. Don’t even think he won a single aerial duel. A very bad day at the office.

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – 5/10 – Ran his socks off. Chasing lost causes and dropping back to cover for Bellerin, Pepe’s work-rate can’t be begrudged. Not a lot came off for him, as with the rest of the side.

He wasn’t helped by Bellerin, who had a poor afternoon, forcing the Ivorian to create his own openings. There wasn’t any clinical edge from Pepe or game-changing moments, but his head didn’t drop having been left out of the last two lineups, which is positive.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Emile Smith Rowe – 5/10 – Essentially just ran. Wasn’t able to impact the game, but not his fault.

Alexandre Lacazette – 5/10 – He closed down, but with Arsenal creating nothing he barely got a touch of the ball.

David Luiz – N/A – Came on late for Holding.

Dani Ceballos – N/A – Not on long enough for a rating, but should’ve been. A substitution made too late.