Manchester City welcomed Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium earlier today as they looked to secure a positive result at home. Pep Guardiola’s men made a bright start to the game and took the lead in the seventh minute courtesy of Ilkay Gundogan’s header from point-blank range. Ferran Torres doubled Man City’s advantage just five minutes later to put some distance between the two sides. The Gunners made their lives even harder when Granit Xhaka was sent off in the 35th minute. Gabriel Jesus added another goal to his team’s tally late in the first half to make it 3-0 for the Mancunian outfit at the half-time break.
Rodri got his name on the scoresheet as well with an inch-perfect finish from long range. Torres went on to score again in the 84th minute as Guardiola’s players secured a dominant 5-0 win at Manchester.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player fared during the match against Arsenal.
GK: Ederson – 6.5/10
The Brazilian keeper didn’t have a save to make in the game and secured an easy clean sheet at the back.
RB: Kyle Walker – 6/10
Walker was mostly untroubled defensively in the first half. He got replaced at half-time.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10
The Portuguese centre-back did what was required on the defensive end of the field. He also made two key chances for his teammates to score.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 7/10
Laporte was not shy of having a shot at goal. He got stuck in with a couple of tackles as well inside his half.
LB: Joao Cancelo – 8/10
The Portuguese full-back was defensively solid and pulled off a couple of exciting runs out on the wide areas.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 6.5/10
He was full of energy and running at the centre of the park but could only last 57 minutes.
CM: Rodri – 9/10
The Spaniard controlled the midfield quite well for Man City and created a couple of decent chances in the final third. He got himself a deserved goal in the second half with a well-executed strike from long range.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 8.5/10
The German midfielder gave Man City the lead with a well-directed header. He also engineered two good opportunities for others around him.
RW: Gabriel Jesus – 8/10
Jesus lasted for only an hour but he would be happy after scoring a goal and picking up an assist for the home team.
ST: Ferran Torres – 9.5/10
Torres scored two good goals to make a real difference in the game. He seems to be enjoying the responsibility of leading the line for Man City.
LW: Jack Grealish – 8/10
The former Aston Villa playmaker created multiple goal-scoring chances for his teammates in the attacking end of the field. He ended the game with an assist to his name.
Substitutes:
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6.5/10
He made one important interception for his side.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 6.5/10
Sterling got plenty of chances but just couldn’t manage to find the back of the net.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 6/10
The Algeria international probably should have got himself a goal.
