Arsenal player ratings vs Man City: Arteta on the brink after 5-0 defeat

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Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester City as Granit Xhaka is sent off in crushing 5-0 defeat with Mikel Arteta left on the brink of his job. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal fell to a 5-0 defeat against Manchester City in Saturday afternoon’s Premier League meeting as Pep Guardiola’s side crushed the ten-men Gunners, leaving Mikel Arteta’s job on the brink.

The manager opted to field a side nothing even remotely like the one expected pre-match at the Etihad, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starting up front following his hat-trick away at West Brom, while Bernd Leno returned in place of Aaron Ramsdale.

There was also a second Premier League debut for Martin Odegaard in the side with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka taking up the wide berths in a 3-4-3 setup.

Arsenal, believe it or not, started strongly. Keeping possession and looking confident, that all unravelled as a dreadfully defended cross, one with no power on, was easily headed home by Ilkay Gundogan.

Every single one of those dedicated away supporters deserves their money back and first class travel back down to London.
— Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) August 28, 2021

Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester City as Granit Xhaka is sent off in crushing 5-0 defeat with Mikel Arteta left on the brink of his job

With 12 minutes on the clock, it was 2-0. A floated ball into the box was knocked on by Cedric and fell into the path of Ferran Torres who had a simple tap in. This despite Calum Chambers blatantly being struck in the face by Aymeric Laporte.

It all began falling apart as the level-headed Granit Xhaka saw red card after stupidly leaving the ground with his studs up, despite winning the ball, which was followed by Jack Grealish making mincemeat of the defence before setting up Gabriel Jesus.

Eight minutes after the break Rodri curled home delightful fourth, as Arsenal fans began celebrating ironically.

Arsenal proceeded to not touch the ball at all for the remainder of the game, staying in their own third and being passed to death. It was excruciating. Absolutely woeful. Torres got a fifth.

Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (L) controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Central Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 5/10 – Couldn’t really have done too much for any of the three goals – some better positioning perhaps – due to the abject defending in front of him. Made one lovely save from Raheem Sterling. Kept the score at a respectable five.

But, where was the communication? Defenders and goalkeeper never had any organisation. Who is taking charge?

Calum Chambers (CB) – 1/10 – Beaten in the air by one of the shortest players on the pitch for the opening goal and then all at sea for the remainder of the game. Was being torn to shreds by whichever Man City forward had the ball.

Transfer market for a right-back, please.

Rob Holding (CB) – 2/10 – Someone who you might actually believe could be reliable to win aerial balls..didn’t. For the third goal, he comes out to the ball in the same zone Leno is in and leaves his man open for a tap in.

This is 2021. Why have Arsenal still got the same defenders they had in 2017? The same ones that weren’t good enough then?

Sead Kolasinac (CB) – 2/10 – This is Arsenal Football Club. Standards are gone.

Was all over the shop in the back three but, to his credit, at least he tried to press and move around. Shame he isn’t very good at any of that. Not Premier League level. Fenerbahce will retract their contract offer.

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