Arsenal player ratings vs Man City: Gabriel weak in the battle, Kai Havertz misses a sitter | OneFootball

Defender lucky to avoid a red card before season-defining miss

Arsenal lost their control of the Premier League title race after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Matt Verri was at the Emirates to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 6

Heavy touch nearly punished by Haaland in opening few minutes. Otherwise much more direct in his distribution and that largely worked. Nothing he could really do for the two goals.

Ran ragged by Doku. Committed four fouls within 36 minutes, the last of those bringing a booking. Did fairly well up against him for the next 40 minutes but always looked vulnerable.

William Saliba 8

Often left to wrestle Haaland one-on-one and did so well. Kept his cool even with Gabriel rattled alongside him. Headed off the line to stop a City corner going straight in at the back post.

Gabriel 4

Goal-saving block from Bernardo and had a header deflected onto the post. However, caught out at the back post for Haaland’s goal. Weak defending when Cherki got past him for the opener, and could easily have been sent off for pushing head into Haaland’s face.

Piero Hincapie 7

Sensational block to deny Semenyo before half-time and typically aggressive in his defending. Caught out with one ball over the top when Semenyo was clean through. Little impact going forward.

Martin Zubimendi 6

Better signs getting around the pitch, with one superb interception to stop Rodri getting in. Influence diminished as the match went on and hard to remember a meaningful touch after half-time.

Declan Rice 7

Advanced role early on, pushing right up on Rodri. Left Arsenal exposed at times, but got back well on the whole. Launched the counter that Havertz should have scored from.

Noni Madueke 5

Had been an injury doubt but fit enough to start, even if he was replaced after 45 minutes. Got into good positions but not decisive enough, and did not offer much support for Mosquera when tracking back.

Martin Odegaard 6

His return made a big difference to Arsenal’s pressing. Some overhit passes, but played Havertz in for huge second-half chance. Faded significantly and could easily have been brought off.

Eberechi Eze 7

So unlucky that left-footed strike cannoned off the inside of the post. Had some loose moments on the ball, which left Arteta furious at times, but came alive drifting inside. Surprise he came off.

Kai Havertz 5

Relentless work-rated rewarded when charging down Donnarumma’s clearance to equalise. Limitations exposed though. Massive moment when clean through and his shot was smothered, and another when heading over in stoppage-time. Had to score both.

Substitutes:

Gabriel Martinelli (Madueke 46’) 4

Really poor defensively to leave O’Reilly free to drive forward, leading to Haaland’s goal. Usually so reliable off the ball.

Ben White (Mosquera 74’) 5

Did not face the same kind of defensive test as Mosquera did. Unable to find the right pass on the overlap.

Leandro Trossard (Eze 74’) 7

Perfect cross whipped into the middle in stoppage-time. Deserved an assist but Havertz headed over.

Viktor Gyokeres (Zubimendi 84’) 5

Strange it took so long to bring him on with Arsenal needing a goal. Did not have a sniff.