Manchester City thrashed a hapless Arsenal at the Etihad with two goals from Ferran Torres, setting the mood for the Premier League champions.
Arsenal endured a third consecutive Premier League defeat, this time at the hands of Manchester City. The Gunners have lost the first three games of the season for the first time in their entire history, and Man City scored five goals in their second game running.
The Gunners came into this game with plenty of uncertainty surrounding the manager and players, and Pep Guardiola’s team duly punished the visitors for some sloppy defending.
Manchester City’s goals were spread nicely across the team and the Premier League champions did not miss talisman Kevin De Bruyne for a moment in the game. Strikes from Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, and a Ferran Torres brace set the mood for the weekend at the Etihad.
The defeat sends Arsenal rock bottom of the Premier League table, a position they have never been in before in this particular era. With the international break coming up, Mikel Arteta and his players will have to regroup and prepare themselves for the next round of games. As for City, they are ready to make a serious march from here on, after a blip in the opening week
Here are the player ratings from Manchester City 5-0 Arsenal.
Manchester City
Ederson – 6/10
There can’t be a quieter game for a goalkeeper. Arsenal were so awful in attack they mustered a solitary shot, which too went off target.
Kyle Walker – 6/10
Looked rusty but ready to face Arsenal. With the game more or less won at half-time with the Gunners a man down, Guardiola took off walker to give Zinchenko some game time.
Ruben Dias – 7/10
Solid at the back, snuffing out any potential attacking moments Arsenal were about to create. Showcased his ability to pass out from the back brilliantly and led his backline superbly.
Aymeric Laporte – 7/10
Laporte was much more adventurous than his partner at the back. The Spaniard was making constant forays forward as there was hardly anything to defend at the back. He also came close to scoring and adding to his strike from the previous game against Norwich.
Joao Cancelo – 7/10
Cancelo has always found form when playing Arsenal. The full-back was more forward than defending as the Gunners barely threatened in any form in attack.
Rodri – 7.5/10
He controlled the midfield expertly as he kept the attack in front of him ticking with his passing. He got a goal as a reward for his overall performance and took it so delicately.
Bernardo Silva – 7/10
He dominated Arsenal’s midfielders and ran past their defence with ease. Silva was instrumental in at least two of Man City’s goals. He was taken off early in the second half to give him some rest.
Ilkay Gundogan – 8/10
Last season’s top goalscorer for Man City opened his account for this season pretty early in the game. The goal gave his side absolute control from thereon, especially after Arsenal had looked lively with some opening exchanges.
Gabriel Jesus – 7.5/10
Yet another solid display while playing from the right side. After an early assist in the game, Jesus got on the scoresheet himself, reminding Guardiola there’s no need to sign another striker.
Jack Grealish – 7/10
Exceptional as always on the ball, and more importantly, he looked fairly comfortable dictating the attack from his side. Grealish got an assist for the Jesus goal to cap off a fine afternoon.
Ferran Torres – 9/10
Torres stepped up probably at the right time to score two goals and ease the burden on Guardiola as he failed to find a viable striker in the window. These early displays could indicate his ability to lead the line for Manchester City this season.
Substitutes
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6/10
Great choice to replace Walker as Cancelo moved to the right side. Zinchenko provided the appropriate attacking option from the left, overloading his side of the pitch.
Raheem Sterling – 6/10
Looked lively throughout his time on the pitch, coming close to scoring goals as well.
Riyad Mahrez – 7/10
Lively display from the Algerian after coming on. Got the assist for Man City’s fifth goal scored by Torres.
Arsenal
Bernd Leno 6.5/10
Better than any player n the Arsenal backline. He made some good saves, without which the scoreline would have looked much different.
Cedric Soares – 2/10
Grealish first, then Sterling had a whale of a time dealing with Cedric, constantly tormenting the Portuguese. His early yellow in the game made him work more cautiously for the rest of the match.
Calum Chambers – 3/10
If he is considered decent at right-back, Arteta should stick to him playing on the flank and never make him his centre-half again. No awareness of defensive play cost Arsenal dear.
Rob Holding – 4/10
Holding was a better defender of this hapless Arsenal backline. But without any real support or confidence on either side of him, the Man City attackers got the better of him and was directly at fault for the fifth goal.
Sead Kolasinac – 2/10
Kolasinac’s inclusion in the starting lineup surprised everyone let alone him playing centre-back. Horrendous performance from the Bosnian as fans would be wishing it was the last time they saw the defender in Arsenal colours.
Kieran Tierney – 4.5/10
Tierney had no chance of influencing the game with his runs or attacking play. Like his fellow defenders, he spent most of the time in his half, although fortunately, most of Man City’s attack happened on the opposite flank.
Granit Xhaka – 1.5/10
Xhaka did not influence the game, had no control over his midfield area, then lost total control with a straight red card, deservedly for a careless two-footed challenge.
Martin Odegaard – 3/10
He cannot be blamed for what happened, as Odegaard’s place is not in midfield. He tried to get the ball to others, but Man City’s constant pressure and possession hardly gave him any time to think.
Bukayo Saka – 4/10
Got the only shot of the game for his team and was sacrificed after Xhaka was sent off.
Emile SmithRowe – 4/10
No chance for Smith Rowe to create anything without the ball at his feet. He was constantly running back to provide cover as Man City thrashed his side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 3/10
Anonymous performance from the striker, right after scoring a hat-trick in midweek. Cannot blame him entirely as the entire Arsenal attack lacked any intent or potency.
Substitutes
Mohamed Elneny – 3/10
Elneny came on to take Xhaka’s place in midfield and provide some cover. He failed to find any rhythm while Man City players passed him with ease.
Alexandre Lacazette – 2/10
Did not affect proceedings after Lacazette was sent in place of Aubameyang as Arsenal tried to score a consolation goal.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 3/10
By the time he came on, the only thing on Arteta’s mind would have been to save grace and prevent Man City from scoring more goals.
