Manchester City clashed heads with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium earlier this evening, hoping to win and stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League standings. The Mancunian outfit made a dream start to the game as they scored in the second minute courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s goal. However, the Gunners stood strong after conceding an early goal and managed to get themselves into the half-time break without letting Man City double their advantage.
Pep Guardiola’s men controlled the game well in the second 45 minutes and secured a hard-fought 1-0 win at North London.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player fared during the clash against the Gunners.
GK: Ederson – 6/10
The Brazilian keeper was hardly tested during the game and secured an easy clean sheet on the road. However, he was a bit sloppy when distributing the ball out from the back.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 6.5/10
He kept a solid defensive shape inside his half and also made a couple of promising runs down the right flank.
CB: John Stones – 7/10
Stones cleared the danger when needed and was quite tidy with his passing. He will be happy with the clean sheet today.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7.5/10
The Man City centre-half read the danger quite well and was not afraid to make some runs with the ball after being allowed a lot of time and space by the opposition.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7/10
He did what was asked of him in defence and was quite lively in the attacking third. Zinchenko was responsible for orchestrating a couple of meaningful openings in the final third.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7/10
The Belgian international created all kinds of problems for the Arsenal defenders with his playmaking but was taken off just after the hour mark.
CM: Fernandinho – 7.5/10
The Brazilian veteran did the dirty work in midfield and snuffed out the danger quite effectively during the 90 minutes.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5/10
Gundogan had a couple of shot attempts, but there was no goal for him this evening. It was a welcome return from injury nonetheless.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 8/10
Sterling opened the goal-scoring in the second minute, which was enough to give his team all three points. He was always willing to run at his marker and just about deserves the man of the match award.
ST: Bernardo Silva – 6/10
He created two good opportunities for others around him but was lacklustre in the attacking third.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 7.5/10
Mahrez made some promising sprints in the opposition half and ended the game with an assist to his name.
Substitutes:
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 6.5/10
He brought some energy onto the field.
