Arsenal ratings: Gabriel and Tomiyasu punished for unnecessary errors but Saka shines with another nerveless penalty
ARSENAL’S hopes of winning the Premier League took a major dent as Manchester City won 3-1 at the Emirates.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland made it a painful night for those connected with Arsenal as they fell behind City in the table.
Bukayo Saka kept his cool from the spot to equalise before half-time but they were unable to test Ederson in the second half.
And City’s class and clinical quality played out as the miserable record against the reigning champions continued.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Mikel Arteta’s men…
Aaron Ramsdale – 6
Arsenal fans were fearing the worst when Ramsdale went down injured with his boot off 15 minutes in but was fine to continue.
Caught in no-man’s land when he came rushing out to meet the short ball as the Gunners fell behind.
Made a smart stop before the break but had little chance of stopping Grealish or Haaland’s efforts.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 4
Lost Erling Haaland round the back only for the Norwegian to pick no-one out.
He got away with one but not a second as his blind backpass fell short and De Bruyne converted expertly.
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Could have made amends minutes later but sent a left-foot volley harmlessly over then booked early in the second half for taking too long over a throw.
William Saliba – 4
Found Haaland a handful, especially aerially, from the first whistle and was beaten in the build-up for the opening goal.
Then played Haaland onside for the City second and was helpless to stop the neat play that resulted in Grealish’s finish.
Gabriel – 3
Just like his pal Saliba, could not cope with the Norwegian and got very fortunate when he tugged him down in the area – only for VAR to come to the rescue.
Like Tomiyasu, would soon be punished as he inexplicably gave the ball away allowing City to pounce and regain the lead.
Then gave that man Haaland too much room in the box as he sealed the three points.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
Knows tonight’s opponents well after six years at the Etihad and almost came back to haunt them with an inch-perfect cross for Eddie Nketiah.
Kept Riyad Mahrez quiet throughout with a fine defensive performance that saw the Algerian subbed off after an hour.
Then seemed to forget he now plays in red not blue by gifting the ball to City on the edge of his area, but was bailed out by Ramsdale who thwarted Haaland, and was partly at fault for goals two and three.
Martin Odegaard – 5
Rightly straight into Anthony Taylor’s ear regarding Ederson’s time-wasting – good captaincy and the crowd responded before the yellow card came out on 36 minutes.
But was not able to have as much influence with the ball at his feet as he would have liked.
Jorginho – 7
Talk about needing to step up, the new signing was making his full debut with Thomas Partey injured – and made a Partey-esque interception to set Nketiah away.
Took his time to grow into the game but adds bags of experience to those around him, marshalling the team at every stoppage.
Made a superb clearance off the line to deny Manuel Akanji, too.
Granit Xhaka – 5
Played his role as chief wind-up merchant to a tee with City players regularly rattled – and Xhaka always at the thick of the action.
Simply HAD to pull the trigger on the edge of the area immediately after City’s second but dallied for too long – not at his best tonight.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Must have been licking his lips when Bernardo Silva started at left-back when City were out of possession – then got crunched early by the Portuguese.
Ice. In. His. Veins. Cool as you like from the spot to get Arsenal their deserved equaliser.
Got Silva booked at long last after turning him inside once again but much quieter in second half.
Eddie Nketiah – 5
Should have opened the scoring on 22 minutes after finding space in the box but glanced his unchallenged header wide – major miss.
Clattered by Ederson for the penalty before the ball cleared off the line and held the ball up well at times.
Booked for catching Ruben Dias high then should have turned in on the stretch then wasted a third big chance with another flop off his head.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Got the crowd going inside 90 seconds with a neat turn to set up the first shot – but that was as good as it got.
Even with Kyle Walker booked, though, was barely involved and rightly subbed off.
SUBS
Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli, 76 mins) – 5 – Couple of good driving runs then clipped a cross on to roof.
Ben White (for Tomiyasu, 83 mins) – 5 – Came on for closing moments.
Fabio Vieira (for Xhaka, 83 mins) – 5 – No chance to offer anything,