Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal 1-3 Man City: Player ratings as Gunners fall to second following defeat

By James Cormack

Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 15, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 15, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Man City climbed to the top of the Premier League table after beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

City’s opener came at a time when Arsenal were just building up some momentum. An error from Takehiro Tomiyasu allowed Kevin De Bruyne to pounce and he wonderfully lifted his effort over Aaron Ramsdale to give the visitors the lead.

Arsenal’s response was impressive, however, and they deservedly went into the break level after Bukayo Saka converted following from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah was fouled by Ederson. It was a soft one, but the Gunners deserved a bit of luck.

City thought they’d earned a penalty of their own when Gabriel brought down Erling Haaland, but VAR, who ruled the Norwegian offside in the build-up, spared the Brazilian’s blushes. Chances then arrived at both ends before Jack Grealish gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead with 20 minutes remaining after a sweeping transition.

Erling Haaland got in on the action and ruthlessly converted a third for the visitors which put the game beyond the hosts, who disappointed in the second period after such a promising opening 45 minutes.

The defeat sees City usurp Arsenal as league leaders on goal difference, but Mikel Arteta’s side do have a game in hand on their rivals.

Arsenal 1-3 Man City player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Wednesday night’s defeat.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s error allowed Kevin De Bruyne to pounce. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s error allowed Kevin De Bruyne to pounce. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 5/10 – Was there more he could’ve done to prevent any of City’s goals? I’m not so sure.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 5/10 – His struggles in possession were epitomised by his costly first-half error but I thought he defended Grealish well one-vs-one throughout.

William Saliba (CB) – 7.5/10 – Thoroughly enjoyed his tussle with Haaland. While the City superstar got the better of him at times, Saliba held his own for the most part and showed why he’s one of the finest young defenders in Europe.

Gabriel (CB) – 4/10 – VAR gave him a reprieve at the start of the second half, but Gabriel didn’t get so lucky 15 minutes after when his poor pass allowed City to pounce and eventually score.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 5.5/10 – Didn’t seem to have a major influence in possession as City made a concerted effort to close out the centre. Hit and miss when he ventured into the final third.

Continued on the next slide…