How football.london rated the Arsenal player performances after the Premier League clash with Manchester City
Arsenal fell at Manchester City to leave the Premier League title race on a knife-edge. There is just a single goal in it if Pep Guardiola’s side manages to win their game in hand, and could go top when they play Burnley at Turf Moor.
City took the lead through Rayan Cherki after some magical footwork and finish. However, seconds later, a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma gifted Kai Havertz the chance to steal in and score. A great game for the neutrals, the Gunners were pleased to go in level at the break.
Despite having plenty of chances, with Kai Havertz going through and Eberechi Eze hitting the post, it was that man Erling Haaland who struck. Gabriel, who had played the game with plenty of emotion was lucky to avoid a red card, clashing with Norwegian.
Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players involved:
David Raya – Early moment of nerves from the Spanish keeper as he nearly gave the ball to Haaland. For both goals he was well beaten and could do little about it. 5
Cristhian Mosquera – Saw a header from an early corner headed wide and was booked in the first half for persistent fouling as he struggled to contain Doku. But in the end, it was replaced, having done relatively well. 7
William Saliba – Was lucky to see the referee blow his whistle, but had he not, the Frenchman made a big goal-line clearance. Overall he had a good game. 7
Gabriel – Huge block to prevent Rayan Cherki from giving the home side the lead, deflecting it onto the post. Lost the battle with Haaland for City’s second on the day. Might have been lucky in the end not to receive a red card. 5
Piero Hincapie – Produced a wonderful block on Semenyo to prevent a chance from close range. Ran all day long and did well to shut down Semenyo. 7
Martin Zubimendi – Definitely one of the Spaniard’s better games, and needed to be in the biggest of contests. 7
Declan Rice – The engine of the midfield but couldn’t find his presence on the ball in the midfield enough in the key moments. 6
Martin Odegaard – Welcomed back into the side, the four-man City ‘press’ if it can be called that, was dealt with far better as the Gunners captain could drop in to receive and progress the ball. Found the two passes for two huge chances but there was a sense that overall he still didn’t have the desired impact in the game. 6
Noni Madueke – Had a few runs down the right-hand side, but couldn’t find his way through and was taken off at half-time by Arteta. 5
Kai Havertz – The press paid off for Havertz, getting his foot on Donnarumma’s attempted clearance to see the ball rebound into the net. Set through into the box by Odegaard, he saw his shot saved by Donnarumma and was beaten in a race for a one-on-one with Bernardo Silva. headed over a late chance that could have earned a point. 7
Eberechi Eze – Was sadly at fault for the first goal, backing out of a challenge and getting punished as Cherki went through to score. Went close to scoring the Gunners’ second, turning onto his left foot and curling one against the post. The decision to take him off over Odegaard left many baffled. 7
Substitutes:
Gabriel Martinelli – Coming on at half-time in place of Madueke and immediately made the error of giving the ball away centrally, which led to Haaland’s chance, hitting the post from a resulting corner. 5
Ben White – Had little to no effect on the game. 4
Leandro Trossard – Came on and provided the late cross which could have got Arsenal the result they so desired. 6
Viktor Gyokeres – Came on late in the game and had little effect on the outcome. 4
