The Arsenal v Manchester City – 1-1: Player Ratings
David Raya – 7
Probably the busiest he’s been all season but even then, he was a spectator for nearly all of the second half. No chance with the goal and made two smart stops from Reijnders in the first half and then Haaland in the second that stopped City from doubling their lead. Went long with distribution more than usual which presumably was on instruction.
Best moment:
Smart stop down low to keep out Haaland’s left footed strike in the second half. A stop he should make but it still needed to be saved.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Had his hands full with the lively Doku but largely came out on top. He didn’t have to make tackle after tackle as city attacked so rarely so it was more of a case of just keeping an eye on the Belgian winger and pushing him back where possible. Going the other way, he was again a threat with a couple of nice crosses and got to the byline on the overlap a couple of times as well. Definite improvements from him in this regard in the early part of the season. The one blemish was the yellow card that he needlessly picked up when Doku came inside towards traffic and Timber pulled him back.
Best moment:
Put in a lovely whipped cross which Gyokeres should have been a bit more alive to.
William Saliba – 7
First game back since his injury at Liverpool and he did look a little rusty in the early stages. Despite what some people have been suggesting online, I don’t think he can do anything about the goal. He was left with an impossible task of managing the player with the ball and tracking a runner at the same time. He’s good, but he’s only one player! Maybe could have leaned more towards Haaland’s side but Reijnders would surely have made Saliba pay if he had. Dealt with Haaland well on the whole but didn’t look his usual confident self in possession, which may be due to rustiness.
Best moment:
Nothing of note sticks out but he did body Haaland a couple of times which always brings a smile to my face.
Gabriel – 6
Hard to judge a player on one moment in a match but Gabriel got himself too high up the pitch for City’s goal and left Saliba in a really awkward position. Aside from that, he didn’t have a lot to do. Helped shut down a fit City counter attacks and always looked to get Arsenal on the front foot with his passing, pressing or defending. Haven’t seen much of him from a set piece point of view this season…would have loved a goal here!! Seen smiling with Haaland at the end of the game so hopefully that’s a sign that the bad blood is behind them both. Don’t think anyone is going to benefit from an ongoing vendetta.
Best moment:
A few nice tackles but as with Saliba, not much jumps out as he had so little defending to do.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Solid enough defensively but in truth, most of City’s threat was down the other side. Had a few headed chances and a couple of pot shots but nothing clear cut. Moved around the pitch in his usual rampaging style but nothing really came of it. At this point, he’s taking too many shots given how little we are getting from them. One wide right foot shot towards the end of the game was particularly frustrating.
Best moment:
Nothing of note.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Had a tough game up against his international teammate in Rodri but Zubimendi kept us moving quite nicely and broke the lines with some lovely passes and dribbles at times. Had one really good chance from the edge of the box that went over which caused a furious reaction the Spaniard towards himself.
Best moment:
He was furious with himself but his chance wasn’t an easy one and he hit it really sweetly, just a little bit too high.
Mikel Merino – 6
Probably will get a bit of stick from some corners as he was preferred in midfield to a more attacking option but I didn’t think he was really that bad. He’s no Martin Odegaard but that’s not really Merino’s fault. He was neat and tidy and had some nice touches here and there but did get caught on the ball dangerously a one stage which lead to a good chance for City. Subbed at half time as Arteta went more for a more attacking formation.
Best moment:
Again, nothing of note.
Declan Rice – 6
Worked tirelessly as ever but these games, against teams sitting so deep, are really not where Rice thrives. An argument could be made that these games actually suit the more technically minded Merino, especially with his goal threat from open play. That’s no disrespect to Rice who did all he could to drive the team forward. Set piece deliveries were on point as always but Donnarumma was equal to each of them, in one way or another. The long throw-ins didn’t really have any impact either. Some lovely cross field passes to open up the play were the highlight of Rice’s game.
Best moment:
One cross field pass to Madueke in the first half was particularly impressive. Didn’t lead to anything of note but it’s definitely something that we’ve seen more and more from Declan Rice this season and it will be a key weapon as Arsenal push forward.
Noni Madueke – 7
Best attacker in the first half. Lively throughout and had the beating of O’Reilly time after time. Good set piece delivery again. Subbed at the break rather surprisingly.
Best moment: Sat down O’Reilly beautifully to check back on his left side to cross.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5
Feels harsh to rate him so lowly but in a game where we really needed a goal, he just wasn’t really there when we needed him to be. A couple of times where the ball fell in the box and he either hadn’t made the run or the ball just evaded him. Still early in his Arsenal career but it is concerning that one of the players, the box player, that we brought in over the summer to help us deal with stubborn defences left the field without a single effort on goal. Is that due to lack of service, lack of quality or just a sign that those relationships aren’t quite there yet? Time will tell.
Best moment:
One nice piece of hold up play to bring in a teammate but this was one to forgot for Gyokeres.
Leandro Trossard – 7
Surprising inclusion with Eberechi Eze dropping to the bench. A few lively moments, one nice cross that should have lead to a goal for Gyokeres. At times he looked like he might explode into live and do something magical but it never came. Maybe a move back into the centre would suit all parties?
Best moment:
Lovely feet and cross to get the ball across the box but Gyokeres couldn’t quite get there to turn home.
Subs:
Bukayo Saka – 7
When you need a goal at half time, what a player to bring on. Looked lively from the moment he stepped onto the pitch but the telling touch never came and he faded badly towards the last 10-15 minutes. Probably played more minutes than planned but those will be valuable minutes as he builds up fitness into a key spell for the Gunners now.
Eberechi Eze – 8 – We’ve not seen Eze really dictate a game yet and influence it for long periods but in terms of moments of quality, we’ve seen four or five where he’s shown what he’s about and two in particular spring to mind, including today’s amazing, point saving, assist. Lovely ball over the top to set Martinelli away to score the equaliser. Ferocious shot from outside the box that knocked Donnarumma off his feet as well!
Gabriel Martinelli – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
What a week he’s had. Many had called for him to start but it was Leandro Trossard who was given the nod on the left. Again left on the bench when Arteta turned to the substitutes for goals but came up clutch again in the 93rd minute to rescue a point with a superb run and world class finish. Surely he must be knocking on the door for a recall now?
Ethan Nwaneri – 6
Lively and looked to make things happen with some jinking runs and a couple of dangerous crosses but couldn’t find the keys to break City down.
Cristhian Mosquera – 5
Came on to shore things up late on.