ARSENAL slipped to a 1-0 loss at the Eithad as Manchester City spoiled the Partey.
Mikel Arteta tasted defeat back at his old stomping ground as Raheem Sterling’s 23rd minute goal proved to be the winner.
Raheem Sterling scored the only goal as Man City beat ArsenalCredit: AP:Associated Press
Manchester City celebrate Sterling’s openerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Gunners grew into the game but lacked the urgency or incisiveness to drag themselves back into the contest despite another promising showing from Bukayo Saka.
SunSport’s Josh Graham hands out his ratings on the Arsenal performances.
Bernd Leno – 6/10
Made a good stop from Phil Foden but could only parry the ball into Raheem Sterling’s path as he lashed home for City’s opening goal.
Smart stop from Riyad Mahrez, early in the second-half.
David Luiz – 6
A late replacement for Rob Holding who broke down in the warm-up – will be disappointed with his free-kick effort which flew over.
A whole lot better than the shambolic showing he put together last season at the Etihad.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Blazed a good opportunity wide after dodging Kyle Walker’s Kung-Fu kick right on the stroke of half-time.
Mostly looked composed at the back and as he continues to adjust to the Prem – should prove a very handy signing for Mikel Arteta.
Kieran Tierney – 7
You can see why Arsenal bust a gut to free him from self-isolation.
An assured presence at the back, the Scot even offered plenty going forward despite playing in a back three.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Bukayo Saka was brilliantly denied by Brazilian EdersonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The England new boy continues to impress with his dazzling feet.
Fired a rocket that Ederson palmed over after 25 minutes and worked hard to keep Riyad Mahrez off his dangerous left foot.
Should really have scored when one on one with the City keeper after a neat one-two with Aubameyang.
Always the most threatening after the break, the most direct and dangerous of all the Gunners.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Showed a nice range of passing and vision threading balls into both Saka and Aubameyang down the left.
Couldn’t quite replicate the same creativity after the interval.
Dani Ceballos – 6
Worked hard, but always looked up against it in the face of City’s fluid formation.
Hector Bellerin – 5
Hector Bellerin let Phil Foden cut inside before Raheem Sterling scoredCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Let Phil Foden cut in far too easily in the build-up for Sterling’s goal.
Nicolas Pepe – 5
Should have done better when Willian set him up for a free header in the first-half.
Almost helped the Gunners to an immediate equaliser after the break, instead taking a clattering for his troubles.
Lacklustre strike from a late free-kick in a dangerous position – proved to be his last kick.
Willian – 5
Not his best delivery from set-pieces, a largely anonymous first 45.
A rare nice touch or two before he was hauled off after 69 minutes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6
Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the EtihadCredit: AP:Associated Press
Very quiet opening half until he moved into the middle.
Missed a great chance which was flagged offside on-field but would have been overturned if he could have nudged the ball past the onrushing Ederson.
Not at his influential best in the second period.
SUBS
Alexandre Lacazette (on for Willian, 69) – 5
Failed to have the desired impact off the bench.
Eddie Nketiah (on for Pepe, 83) – 5
Thomas Partey (on for Xhaka, 83) – 5
Big anti-climax to only see less than ten minutes of the new man.
Showed his combative nature by immediately earning his first Premier League yellow card.
Arteta opens door for Arsene Wenger to return to Arsenal after helping shape club into Premier League giants
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
