Manchester City entertained Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium earlier this evening looking to close the gap to the league leaders, Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. The Citizens began the match on the offensive and took the lead in the 1st minute courtesy of Sergio Aguero’s header. However, the Gunners found a route back into the game just 10 minutes later through Laurent Koscielny’s header from close range.
Sergio Aguero gave City the lead once again via his tap in just before half-time. The second half was more of the same with the Citizens dominating possession. Aguero managed to complete his hattrick in the 61st minute which was enough for Pep Guardiola’s men to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory on the day.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player fared during the match against the Gunners.
GK: Ederson – 7/10
The Brazilian keeper distributed the ball with accuracy but was left helpless in the lead up to Koscielny’s goal in the first half.
CB: Kyle Walker – 7/10
Not as attack-minded as usual, but the English full-back defended valiantly to stop Arsenal from dominating down their left flank.
CB: Nicholas Otamendi – 6.5/10
The Argentine centre-back started the game a bit slow but put in a matured display in the second half which was enough for his team to bag all three points from the encounter.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 7.5/10
He picked out Aguero with a great ball in the first minute and defended effectively throughout the game to keep things stable at the back.
CM: Fernandinho – 7/10
The Brazilian midfielder dropped in at centre-back quite frequently and retained possession well for his side.
CM: IIkay Gündogan – 8/10
The German talent ran the show in midfield and opened up the Arsenal defence twice which led to City scoring on both occasions. A good day’s work from him which has done his first-team chances a world of good.
CAM: Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5/10
The Belgian made an underwhelming start to the match but came alive in the second half and caused a lot of problems for the Gunners defenders.
CAM: David Silva – 6.5/10
Not the best in the first half but the Spaniard showed his class in the second when he pulled strings while floating in and around the opposition box.
LM: Raheem Sterling – 8/10
The English speedster put on a fine show as he set-up Aguero twice to cap off another exceptional performance in a Man City shirt.
ST: Sergio Aguero – 10/10
The Argentine forward managed to grab a hattrick for the Citizens which helped his side get the all-important win on the day. A perfect 10 for a perfect Aguero!
RM: Bernardo Silva – 7/10
The Portuguese winger worked his socks off down the right channel and did well to force a few errors from the Arsenal midfielders.
Substitutes:
ST: Gabriel Jesus – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
RM: Riyad Mahrez – N/A
He came off the bench to run the clock down for the home team.
