Manchester City went down to a disappointing 1-nil defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates. It’s two consecutive losses in the Premier League now for Pep Guardiola’s side on the back of last weekend’s defeat to Wolves. In a cagey affair, a deflected Gabriel Martinelli goal in the 86th minute was enough to settle the contest. It was City’s third defeat in the three games Rodri was suspended for as the City midfield struggled. His and Kevin De Bruyne’s absence was felt by the champions.
Here are the City player ratings from a timid display from Pep Guardiola’s side.
City Player Ratings:
Ederson- 6/10: Could do nothing about Martinelli’s winner as Ake’s deflection took it away from the City keeper. Was rarely troubled besides the goal late on. His distribution could’ve been used more.
Kyle Walker- 6/10: Kept Trossard out of the game in the first half. Had his hands full with Martinelli in the second half but was a typical Walker performance. Like his teammates, not his best day.
Ruben Dias- 6/10: Was his usual self at the back. His passing was off with a few passes off-target. Not his worst performance, but not his best.
Nathan Ake- 6/10: Ake was unlucky that his deflection was vital in Arsenal’s winner. Did his job but was rarely tested.
Josko Gvardiol- 7/10: An enthralling battle with Gabriel Jesus out wide on the left. Was probably City’s best player on a down day for the champions.
Mateo Kovacic- 5/10: Was fortunate to stay on the pitch after a rash challenge on Declan Rice after picking up a booking moments earlier. Didn’t affect the game at all before being substituted.
Rico Lewis- 6/10: Slotted into midfield after his display against RB Leipzig. Provided City’s best moment of the second half with his driving run before being fouled. Looked like City missed his presence after being substituted.
Bernardo Silva- 6/10: Tried hard as he always does. Couldn’t dictate the game but was always in and about trying to make a difference.
Phil Foden- 5/10: Wasn’t Foden’s day. Gave away possession too much to be a factor. With the midfield area packed, he couldn’t get into the game.
Julian Alvarez- 6/10: A typical energetic display before he was taken off. Almost scored from pressing David Raya but like his teammates was crowded out of the game.
Erling Haaland- 4/10: Suffered from City’s lack of control in midfield. A few nice touches to set up his teammates but was on the periphery for the entire 90 minutes.
Substitutes:
John Stones- 5/10: Looked rusty on his return from injury. Needs a run of games to get his touch back after a long layoff.
Matheus Nunes- 5/10: Tried to provide some energy in midfield when coming on. Couldn’t affect the game as he would’ve liked
Jeremy Doku- 5/10: Not his type of game to influence when he came on. No space in wide areas and suffered from City’s midfield not getting enough service to him to have an influence.
