Manchester City and Arsenal played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Despite winning a point, City emerged as the bigger losers from the match even as the Gunners consolidated their position in third place.
Arsenal managed to claw themselves back into the game twice as the attacking talents of Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne were not enough to give Manchester City the win they so desperately needed. The Citizens will be disappointed that they couldn’t do better at home, with the result handing the impetus of finishing in the top four to cross town rivals Manchester United.
Player Ratings
Manchester City
1. Joe Hart – 6/10
The City keeper was beaten twice but made a crucial charge down the penalty area to put on the pressure in a one on one situation with Theo Walcott, forcing the winger to shoot wide.
22. Gail Clichy – 5/10
Linked well with Kevin de Bruyne, but the Frenchman almost scored a bizarre own goal and the subsequent corner led to an Arsenal goal.
30. Nicolas Otamendi – 7/10
Shored up the defence in the absence of Vincent Kompany; a number of crucial interceptions and blocks were highlights of a solid defensive performance.
20. Eliaquim Mangala – 5/10
Played a decent game but was at fault for Olivier Giroud’s first-half header, a major turning point in the match.
3. Bacary Sagna – 7/10
Wasn’t troubled much by Arsenal’s attackers and is steadily making the right-back position at Manchester City his own.
6. Fernando – 6/10
Another decent player who had a decent game, but the Brazilian doesn’t really fit into a side as ambitious as Manchester City.
25. Fernandinho – 8/10
The Brazilian is fast emerging as Manchester City’s midfield dynamo. Missed a good chance and provided the assist for Aguero’s opening goal.
15. Jesus Navas – 7/10
A good cross by Navas led to the opener and he was a constant threat on the wing.
17. Kevin de Bruyne – 9/10
The Belgian came into his own in the second half, scoring a brilliant solo goal that was just the latest display of his immense attacking talent.
10. Sergio Aguero – 8/10
Put Manchester City on top with an early goal. The Argentine once again showed why he is considered to be one of the best forwards in the league.
72. Kelechi Iheanacho – 7/10
Not a brilliant performance, but not a bad one either. Made a couple of good runs into the box.
Substitutes:-
7. Raheem Sterling – 5/10
Made absolutely no impact after being brought on from the bench.
42. Yaya Toure – 5/10
Age seems to be catching up to the midfield giant.
14. Wilfried Bony – 6/10
Almost became the hero of the match, only to see his shot bounce off the bar.
Arsenal
33. Petr Cech – 5/10
The veteran goalkeeper could have done much better to keep out Kevin de Bruyne. Found himself on his backside after a clearance attempt from a Sergio Aguero effort.
18. Nacho Monreal – 6/10
Jesus Navas gave him a torrid time in the first half, but the left-back bounced back in the second half with a decent display.
6. Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
The Arsenal captain on the night put in a stellar defensive display to keep Manchester City at bay.
5. Gabriel Paulista – 7/10
A crucial block to deny Sergio Ageuro was his highlight of the match. Looked solid at centre-back and made a case for himself in the absence of Per Mertesacker.
24. Hector Bellerin – 6/10
Was at fault for allowing Kevin de Bruyne to beat him twice in the build up to Manchester City’s second goal which nearly cost Arsenal the game.
35. Mohamed Elneny – 7/10
Protected the defence and distributed the ball intelligently in midfield. Looking like the best January signing this season.
16. Aaron Ramsey – 7/10
Played well defensively, but couldn’t make the attacking impact that he is known for.
17. Alexis Sanchez – 7/10
Was largely anonymous before masterminding and finishing the move that led to the Gunners’ second equalizer.
23. Danny Welbeck – INJURED
Was taken off in the first half after suffering a knee injury.
45. Alex Iwobi – 6/10
The Nigerian youngster failed to impress as he generally looked lost in the midfield.
12. Olivier Giroud – 8/10
Found the goal with a neat header in the first half and laid on a beautiful ball for Alexis Sanchez to score the second.
Substitutes:-
34. Francis Coquelin – 7/10
Was his usual purposeful self after coming off the bench.
10. Jack Wilshere – 7/10
Showed some great energy and vision during his cameo appearance.
14. Theo Walcott – 5/10
Did not make much of a case for himself as a first team player; scuppered his best opportunity by shooting woefully wide from a one on one situation.
What’s next?
Arsenal come up against bottom placed and already relegated Aston Villa in the final week of the season. A win would secure at least a third place finish, and the Gunners will also be hoping to leapfrog bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur into second place. They are currently just two points behind.
For Manchester City, it is a more worrisome state of affairs. They will definitely need to win their final game against Swansea City, but Pellegrini’s men now rely on Manchester United to not get all six points from their two remaining games if they want to finish in the top four.