Arsenal player ratings: 10-men fall just short against Manchester City

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Arsenal were on the brink of a stunning victory over Manchester City, but a last-minute goal from John Stones dashed their hopes and forced a dramatic draw in the Premier League clash.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring after just nine minutes and things looked very concerning for the travelling team, but it was far from over.

On his first start for the Gunners, Riccardo Calafiori curled in a fabulous equaliser from range, before Gabriel towered over the home defence to head in from a corner just before half-time.

That was not the final act of the half as Trossard managed to get a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, idiotically putting his team under immense pressure from there on in.

The second half was entirely one-sided as the away team stuck to a 6-3-0 formation and completely gave up on attacking.

It very nearly paid off but Stones poked home a scrappy equaliser at the death to break Arsenal hearts.

Here are how the players performed on a memorable afternoon in Manchester…

Manchester City

Ederson – 5/10

It would have been a miracle save to stop Riccardo Calafiori’s effort, but he will be very disappointed with Arsenal’s second goal. Pretty tamely blocked off by the non-hulking figure of Gabriel Martinelli and ended up on the floor as Gabriel headed home.

Kyle Walker – 4/10

He had complaints with the referee for the quick taking of a free-kick, but Walker was out of position for Arsenal’s first goal. He then was tasked with marking Gabriel from a corner and failed to do so as the Brazilian headed in the away team’s second. He worked hard offensively to make amends after the break, but couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Ruben Dias – 5/10

Seemed to have the ball a lot in the second half as Manchester City struggled for an answer to Arsenal’s very solid defensive performance. Hammered in a few long range efforts but none were any good.

Manuel Akanji – 6/10

The Manchester City defence had very little to do at all in the second half as Arsenal dug in, so it was a quiet day for Akanji, but did little wrong.

Josko Gvardiol – 6/10

The same could be said for Gvardiol as for Akanji. Solid enough in what he did. Couldn’t offer much in attack as City pushed for an equaliser.

Rodri – 5/10

Forced off after just 21 minutes with a potentially serious knee injury. Went down after a minor clash with Thomas Partey and looked in great pain.

Ilkay Gundogan – 6/10

Fluffed a decent chance on the volley early on and then curled a brilliant free-kick onto the post shortly after. Played the whole match, but couldn’t unlock the door despite City having all the ball in the second half.

Savinho – 7/10

Brilliant ahead of the opening goal, leaving Calafiori behind him and then expertly playing Haaland in on goal. He was in and out of the game after that, but did look threatening on Manchester City’s right flank.

Bernardo Silva – 5/10

The way the second half played out, Manchester City needed someone to find a yard of space or produce a bit of trickery and Silva would be a candidate to do so, but he didn’t do a great deal.

Jeremy Doku – 5/10

Not his most impressive performance, largely martialled well by Jurrien Timber and certainly looked less threatening than his teammate on the opposite wing. Taken off for Phil Foden with 20 minutes to play.

Erling Haaland – 7/10

Made the opening goal look very easy as he raced through on goal and produced an unusual toe punt of a finish. He is often quiet for a lot of games and it was similar in this one. Against three Arsenal centre-backs in the second half he didn’t get much change.

Arsenal

David Raya – 8/10

Not many will stop Erling Haaland as he runs through on goal, so cannot be blamed there. Otherwise it was another very good performance from the Arsenal goalkeeper in shot-stopping and dealing with balls into the box.

Jurrien Timber – 8/10

Really good performance after being moved to right-back, having played on the opposite flank this season so far. Kept Doku very quiet and remained fiercely disciplined in the second half as City piled on the pressure.

William Saliba – 8/10

So rarely puts a foot wrong in the middle of Arsenal’s defence and he was typically disciplined and reliable on Sunday.

Gabriel – 9/10

The Brazilian is becoming a serious threat from set-plays, heading in powerfully just as he did last weekend. A fantastic defensive performance as well.

Riccardo Calafiori – 8/10

Announced himself on his first start for Arsenal in some style as he scored a superb equaliser. Gabriel Martinelli laid the ball back to him and he curled in a left-footed effort into the far corner, angling the shot away from Ederson perfectly. He actually struggled a bit with Savinho in his left-back slot, but what a hit it was!

Thomas Partey – 7/10

Solid enough at the base of the Arsenal midfield, having plenty of work to do as City were camped out on the edge of the Gunners’ box in the second half.

Declan Rice – 7/10

Very similar to his partner in midfield, with a huge amount of unspectacular but important work to do. Showed great discipline.

Bukayo Saka – 6/10

Put in a great corner for Gabriel to nod in Arsenal’s second, but his game was surprisingly cut short at half-time. After Trossard’s red card, Mikel Arteta needed to reshuffle and the Gunners captain was removed for Ben White at the break after a fairly quiet first half.

Leandro Trossard – 2/10

The Belgian was booked for a cheap foul on Savinho on 34 minutes and then got himself sent-off just before the break in braindead fashion. He shoved Bernardo Silva over, giving away a free-kick, and then booted the ball away. He couldn’t have many complaints after the incredibly dim decision.

Gabriel Martinelli – 7/10

An improved performance from the winger after a dip in form. He was worrying Walker in the first half down Arsenal’s left and then worked very hard defensively after the break when Arsenal gave up on attacking.

Kai Havertz – 6/10

Looked like he might get a red card after about five seconds for barging Rodri to the floor, but escaped punishment. Didn’t really contribute much in an attacking sense during the game but was very much involved in the huge digging in exercise after the red card.

Substitutes

Arsenal

Ben White – 7/10

Jakub Kiwior – 6/10

Gabriel Jesus – N/A

Myles Lewis-Skelly – N/A

Manchester City

Mateo Kovacic – 5/10

Phil Foden – 5/10

John Stones – 6/10

Jack Grealish – 5/10

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