Match Report and Player Ratings: Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Premier League revival took a big hit as they lost comprehensively for the first time in eight domestic games to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, as Pep Guardiola suffered his biggest-ever defeat in charge of the Blues.

It had the feeling that Arsenal had whipped themselves into a frenzy after their perceived grievances from the reverse fixture in September, and they started the match like a team with a grudge, taking an early lead through Martin Odegaard.

City hope was rekindled in the second half when Erling Haaland restored parity, but it was never a performance that deserved anything other than the defeat it got, and Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri ensured a 5-1 Arsenal thumping.

The match wasn’t even a minute old when City handed the Gunners the initiative, with John Stones’ risky pass putting Manuel Akanji under pressure which he catastrophically failed to deal with, allowing Havertz to roll it onto a plate for Odegaard.

TV replays revealed Gabriel taunting Erling Haaland straight to his face after the goal, and he nearly had even more to laugh about a few minutes later when his compatriot Gabriel Martinelli thought he’d made it 2-0, only for the flag to go up as the ball hit the net.

It was a ropey start for the champions but they found their feet on the possession front and nearly found themselves level on the scoreboard when Josko Gvardiol met Omar Marmoush’s corner with his head, but David Raya produced a superb reflex stop to tip it onto the bar.

The Blues’ build-up play was a mess though and it nearly cost them a second goal as Stefan Ortega gave Mateo Kovacic an even worse pass than Akanji had received for the first goal, but Havertz transpired to slide wide with most of the goal to aim at.

The leveller arrived early in the second half, as a flowing team move ended with Savinho standing up a cross to the back post for Haaland to spring past William Saliba and power a header in.

But City were their own worst enemies all afternoon and Phil Foden was at fault as Arsenal retook the lead straight away, Partey seizing on the PFA Player of the Year’s woeful pass out and firing in via a big deflection off Stones.

Falling behind so quickly after having dragged themselves back into the game took the wind clean out of City’s sails, and Arsenal punished them again immediately as Lewis-Skelly eased into space in the box and drove in through the desperate palm of Ortega.

Any hope of City resistance was gone and the Gunners delighted in hitting them on the break, bypassing the counter-press with embarrassing ease and springing Havertz to finally score his goal.

If a streak of positive Premier League results had fooled anyone into expecting a miraculous title push, Arsenal adding a brilliant late fifth through Ethan Nwaneri should spell out the issues still facing the Blues.

With that, here’s how we rated the Manchester City players in their collapse against Arsenal!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega – 3.5

The stylistic differences between Ortega and Ederson are clear to every City fan by now, so it’s fair to say that the Brazilian’s passing prowess was missed today. Ortega isn’t usually a slouch in that regard, but did lack some composure today, and should have done better with his hands on the third goal too.

Matheus Nunes – 3.5

Far from his easiest assignment at right-back against a driven Leandro Trossard with a point to prove after his red card at the Etihad Stadium. That being said, he rarely had an impact going the other way either, looking extremely hesitant whenever a decision had to be made.

John Stones – 3

The picture of composure in Wednesday’s win, he caused panics in the ranks straight away with a hospital pass which led to the team going straight behind. Unlucky to see Partey’s strike fly in off his back, but can’t pass the blame for allowing Lewis-Skelly and Havertz the space to score.

Manuel Akanji – 3

Wasn’t done any favours by Stones’ ball prior to Arsenal’s opener, but that can’t excuse the terrible mistake which followed. None of the following goals were directly attributable to him, but he formed part of a backline which was rickety at best.

Josko Gvardiol – 5.5

More reserved than usual with the natural attackers Savinho and Marmoush taking seniority down his side. Wasn’t quite as plagued with the ball-playing issues his fellow defenders suffered from, although the fourth goal came down his side.

Mateo Kovacic – 3.5

None of the headline-grabbing controversy of his dodged red card here last season, but couldn’t really help the City cause in the engine room. Blitzed in transition.

Bernardo Silva – 4

Did his best to drop deep and aid the ailing backline in their efforts to play out from the back. Very little influence to speak of in attack.

Phil Foden – 3.5

Had some bright moments when spraying the ball around from the pockets, but failed to make any decisive impact in the final third and unfortunately did so to Arsenal’s benefit in his own half.

Savinho – 6

What little danger City provided largely came through his speed. Tested Raya and whipped over a nice assist to Haaland.

Erling Haaland – 4.5

No shock to see him largely kept out of it in a big game, but had to do better on the rare occasions the ball did come to his feet. Scored a really good headed goal.

Omar Marmoush – 5.5

Provided some of the more dangerous attacking threats City managed to muster, especially from his corner deliveries. Faded out of the game in the second half and came off.

Substitutes

Kevin de Bruyne – 5

Tried to inject a bit more positivity but was easily bypassed when attempting to press.

James McAtee – 5

Had hardly any influence in the middle.