Phil Foden starred for Manchester City as they beat a poor Arsenal side 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium to advance to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Just three minutes into the game, Manchester City were up and running as Gabriel Jesus headed home an Oleksandr Zinchenko cross from close range. The Cityzens continued to control the game from there on, but against the run of play, Arsenal found an equaliser in the 31st minute as Alexandre Lacazette headed in a fine cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
Having denied Jesus a goal late in the first half, Arsenal goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson made a mess of a Riyad Mahrez free-kick early in the second period, as Manchester City reclaimed their lead. Soon after, Pep Guardiola’s men were 3-1 ahead, courtesy brilliant finish from Phil Foden, although he did appear to be slightly offside.
Aymeric Laporte heaped more misery on the home team, heading home a delectable cross from Foden in the 73rd minute as holders Manchester City advanced took one step closer to defending their trophy. Meanwhile, the pressure will have further mounted on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the disappointing result.
Here’s how we rated the performances of both sets of players on the night.
Arsenal
Runar Alex Runarsson: 3/10
Failed to deal effectively with the cross leading to the opening goal for Manchester City, before making a huge howler for the second, as he let the ball through his hands. Distribution was a tad iffy as well.
Arsenal's Runar Runarsson is the first goalkeeper from a PL team to make two errors leading to opposition goals in a single competitive match in 2020-21.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 22, 2020
Shkodran Mustafi: 3/10
Handed a rare start here, the German centre-back endured a poor outing. Lost his man for the opening goal and was nowhere to be seen for Manchester City’s fourth. Booked for hauling down Jesus.
Gabriel Magalhaes: 4/10
Back in the starting XI after returning from his one-match ban, the summer signing, who has been a reliable customer for Arsenal this term, put in a subpar display. Did nothing to thwart Jesus for the opener, gave away the free-kick leading to the second goal. Generally had a difficult time coping with City attack.
Sead Kolasinac: 4/10
Another player who was handed a rare opportunity but failed to make the most of it. Looked at bay coming up against the likes of Mahrez and just doesn’t seem to have the defensive nous needed to operate as a centre-back in the three-man defence.
Three Wise Men look on as Jesus appears. pic.twitter.com/T9nvXvK5jJ
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) December 22, 2020
Cedric Soares: 5/10
Fairly steady at the back, although he couldn’t get close enough to Zinchenko to stop him from crossing for the first goal. Didn’t get forward much, but did deliver a couple of decent crosses when he did push upfield.
Dani Ceballos: 4/10
Never really managed to get a foothold into the game and spent chasing his Manchester City counterparts for the most part. Lost the ball cheaply leading to the counter-attack for the visitors’ third.
Mohamed Elneny: 4/10
Gave away a silly free-kick just outside the box in the first-half and was booked. Like his midfield partner, Elneny, too, couldn’t keep a lid on the City midfielders. Has tailed off after a bright start to the season.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 5/10
Started at left wing-back and moved to central midfield in the latter stages, highlighting his versatility. Pushed forward and tried to make things happen, but things didn’t work out for him.
Joe Willock: 5/10
Showed his quality with a brilliant pass to set Martinelli off in the first half. But that was as good as it got for the youngster. Put in the hard yards off the ball, but had little impact on the proceedings at the attacking end.
Alexandre Lacazette: 6/10
Got the better of Laporte to head home the equalising goal. Worked hard throughout but couldn’t turn the tides in favour of his time. Nevertheless, the goal will have come as a confidence booster.
Gabriel Martinelli: 7/10
Gabriel Martinelli completed just one pass in the first half vs. Man City – the assist for Arsenal's equaliser.
Efficient. ? pic.twitter.com/ilMHWzk43h
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 22, 2020
Looked a threat on the left flank and delivered a couple of teasing crosses in the first half, the second of which Lacazette headed home. So, unlucky to pick up another injury, having just made his comeback. Tried to put up a brave face and soldier on, but had to be taken off just four minutes into the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
Nicolas Pepe: 4/10
Came on for the injured Martinelli in the 49th minute. Was a peripheral figure for most of his time on the field. Had a shot that went just wide late in the game.
Emile Smith Rowe: 6/10
On for Elneny in the 66th minute. Showed some nice touches and looked to play forward passes. Looked bright and should get more minutes.
Folarin Balogun: N/A
Replaced Lacazette with less than fifteen minutes left.
Manchester City
Zack Steffen: 6.5/10
? ZACK STEFFEN APPRECIATION. ???#MCFC | @ManCity | #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/VLTjECNNwi
— Man City Xtra (@City_Xtra) December 22, 2020
A mishit pass straight to Willock in the first half went unpunished but was reliable with the ball at his feet otherwise. Charged out of his line and executed a fine challenge to deny Martinelli a chance. Not a lot he could have done for the goal.
Joao Cancelo: 6.5/10
Pushed forward with earnest in the first half and caused Arsenal some problems. Although, he was guilty of allowing Martinelli the time and space to hit the cross for Lacazette’s equaliser. More reserved after the break and stayed tight at the back.
Ruben Dias: 6.5/10
Marshaled the defence well, especially during the period when Arsenal upped the ante in the latter parts of the first half. Cut out attacks effectively, making key interceptions and blocks.
Aymeric Laporte: 6/10
Back into the starting lineup after having been left out for a number of games, the Frenchman was guilty of letting Lacazette past him for the equaliser. Did redeem himself heading home Foden’s cross for the fourth. Passed well from the back, but based on this display, it will be hard for him to displace John Stones.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6/10
Good link-up with Jesus on the left, before setting him up for the opening goal with a fine cross. Got forward well but left spaces open in behind, although Arsenal didn’t always make the most of it.
Fernandinho: 7.5/10
Fernandinho made eight tackles for Man City this evening, more than the entire Arsenal team managed combined (7).
Breaking up play in the centre of the pitch. ⛏ pic.twitter.com/jH5jaLNgfb
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 22, 2020
A strong performance from the veteran midfield enforcer, who helped Manchester City assert themselves in the middle of the park by constantly breaking up play with tackles and interceptions. Pushed forward when in possession, made a good run before assisting Foden for City’s third of the night.
Rodri: 6/10
A relatively quiet display from the Spaniard, who stayed back and helped Manchester City control the proceedings with his accurate passing. Not really stretched defensively by the home team.
Riyad Mahrez: 7/10
Caused plenty of his problems for the Arsenal defence with his nifty footwork, although that did run him into traffic in and around the Arsenal box on occasions. Won the free-kick, from which he scored the second one, hitting a powerful strike that Runarsson let slip through his fingers.
Bernardo Silva: 5/10
A rather anonymous display from the Portuguese international, who struggled to make things happen for Manchester City when he got on the ball.
Phil Foden: 8/10
All three of Phil Foden's goals for Man City have come away from home.
He scores against Arsenal for the second time in 2020. pic.twitter.com/5tij0P2PYt
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 22, 2020
Proved once again why he is held in such high esteem in England. There were a few sloppy touches and passes in the first half but burst into life in the second, scoring City’s third with an exemplary finish, although there was a hint of offside about the goal. Set Laporte up for the fourth goal with a brilliant cross. Clearly deserves to be playing more.
Gabriel Jesus: 6.5/10
Opened the scoring with a good header and caused all sorts of problems with his movement, winning free-kicks in dangerous areas. But, the Brazilian missed a sitter with the scoreline at 1-1. Faded with time.
SUBSTITUTES
Ferran Torres: 5/10
On for Silva in the 70th minute. Not much to do with the game already in the bag.
Sergio Aguero: N/A
Replaced Jesus with just a little over 15 minutes left. Time on the field will have helped his recovery.
Kyle Walker: N/A
Came on for Rodri in the 77th minute.
