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Arsenal 1-0 Man City: Player ratings as Gunners end City hoodoo

By James Cormack

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal scores their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal scores their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal finally broke their Manchester City curse as a deflected Gabriel Martinelli strike late on handed the Gunners all three points.

The lack of action in the first half meant that Mateo Kovacic’s miraculous avoidance of a red card on two occasions was the biggest talking point, as both sides, hampered by injuries, lacked attacking balance and struggled to click in the final third.

Arsenal boasted a spring in their step at the start of the second half, perhaps boosted by Gabriel Martinelli’s return, but neither side were able to enjoy sustained spells of pressure.

The contest seemed to be heading for a stalemate before Takehiro Tomiyasu of all people got in behind and found Kai Havertz, who laid off Martinelli to crash home via a wicked Nathan Ake deflection.

City had little time to muster a response, with Arsenal holding onto their goal advantage in the dying embers to end their 12-game losing streak to Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League.

Arsenal 1-0 Man City player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 1-0 victory over City.

David Raya was particularly nervy in the first half. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
David Raya was particularly nervy in the first half. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) – 4/10 – Let’s just say Aaron Ramsdale would’ve enjoyed Raya’s nervy outing between the sticks. Did improve in the second half, mind.

Ben White (RB) – 7.5/10 – Must’ve appreciated the absence of a true one-v-one specialist down his flank until Jeremy Doku’s arrival. White backed up the press well and was stout for the most part despite a couple of positional errors.

William Saliba (CB) – 9/10 – Erling Haaland bounced off the Frenchman a couple of times amid a serene defensive showing from Saliba.

Gabriel (CB) – 8/10 – Marshalled Haaland well alongside Saliba, covering the channels impressively when he had to as well. Wasn’t as busy as he perhaps thought he would’ve been.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 6.5/10 – Got through his customary 70 minutes without much hassle. Delivered a couple of piercing passes in the opening period.

Continued on the next slide…

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