After the joy and jubilation of finally winning a game of football against West Ham, we were brought back down to earth with an almighty bump against the defending league champions. Pre-game there was some nervous excitement, no one was seriously hopeful of a win but a performance and a challenge wouldn't have gone amiss.
There were no surprises with the line up, it was more or less the same side that played the bulk of the game on Monday night, except Guendouzi took Xhaka's place. From a personal stand point, I had my doubts but it was the line up a lot of people anticipated and were asking for.
The first half started superbly! Just a shame that was for around 30 seconds with Martinelli threatening early on with our only shot on target for the entire game. The other 44 minutes were as bad as it could probably get. Only a minute after Martinelli's early opportunity, KDB put city ahead ruthlessly. Fernandinho was allowed to bring the ball into midfield and aim a ball into Jesus down our right channel. It looked an ominous enough ball for Chambers to simply mop up but he didn't take the initiative to engage and let Jesus take the ball and sprint towards the by-line. His cross back across the ball bounced the way of KDB who lashed an effort into the top corner.
The second goal was made by KDB but it was again all to easy. AMN was caught too high and wasn't able to recover effectively enough to stop KDB running again at our right hand byline. Chambers went to try and meet KDB but neither him or AMN could prevent the cross into the box, Kolasinac lost Sterling who was sitting and waiting for the cross to reach him for an easy tap in. 15 minutes in and it was already one hell of an upward battle from here on in.
It was game set and match though before we could even make it to half time. KDB picked up the ball just right of the goal. He turned Guendouzi far too easily without any attempt at a foul, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled an effort right into Leno's bottom right hand corner leaving him no chance. It was a superb finish it must be said, but just as the goals before it, he should never have been allowed the opportunity to get his shot away altogether.
The rest of the game was a nothing contest and only a combination of Leno plus Man city not looking to absolutely demolish us prevented the 3-0 score looking more like one you'd see in a game of Cricket. There was enough time left at the end of the first half to force Leno into the save of the season, tipping a wicked KDB effort onto the post at full stretch. In the second half, Chambers gave the ball away dead centre of our own half, thankfully though Leno was quick to rush out and snuff out the danger. Sterling also went close near the end of the game, arrowing a low effort across Leno's goal and inches past the post.
On the contrary, the closest Arsenal could muster in the second half went several yards wide of the post from a very difficult angle. Auba ran onto a lofted ball over the top of Walker and tried a first time half volley from the left corner of the City penalty box. Auba might be capable of the spectacular, but on his weak foot and at such an awkward angle, it was never likely to trouble Ederson.
Ratings:
Ljunberg - 5
It might have been the team everyone was asking for but that doesn't mean it was the right one. Guendouiz and Torreira together as a double pivot just doesn't work and it was a poor decision in my opinion to go with it. Despite a very poor performance from Guendouzi, he did somehow still remain on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Also seemed to have an over reliance on his youth players when a Willock in poor form was still chosen to play the final 10 minutes over Lacazette who looked less than impressed sitting on the bench.
Leno - 7
Surprisngly had very little to do. His ability catching crosses is improving but besides the two saves mentioned and the goals, he was rarely called upon. Such were the quality of Man city's finishing, there was extremely little he could do for any of the 3 goals. But the save to avoid it becoming 4-0 was just simply outstanding, it'd take something extraordinary to top it for the save of the season already.
AMN - 5
Was caught too high up for the second goal and couldn't recover in time to effectively deal with KDB. Looked to link with Pepe and it looks promising but ultimately didn't deliver much going in either direction.
Chambers - 4
Quite why he doesn't deal with the initial ball for the first goal is beyond me, it didn't look the toughest ball to defend and he's dealt with harder competently enough. Gave the ball away dead centre of our own half and can thank Leno for sparing his blushes. Struggled all day.
Sokratis - 5
Whilst not at fault for any of the goals, he looked nervy throughout and almost got caught out on the ball once or twice. Can defend well enough but just not to this level.
Kolasinac - 4.5
It wouldn't have made much difference to the goal but ducking out of the way of a shot on goal is never a good sign and it speaks volume to the mindset of the squad as a whole. Lost Sterling for city's second and didn't have enough game management smarts when injured. Instead of staying down injured while Saka got ready, he came off first and we were down to 10 men while city got the third from his side of the pitch. His performance and injury was a real shame when he was in good form previously.
Torreira - 6
The best outfield player on the pitch with Martinelli. Though after half an hour he seemed to go missing and wasn't putting himself about as much as he was before. A peculiar performance but by no means the worst.
Guendouzi - 3
There's no doubting this kid has ability, drive, and determination. But today highlighted why a Torreira-Guendouzi double pivot just doesn't work. Was found out time and time again, too slow to turn, absolutely zero defensive awareness or defensive common sense and criminally JOGGED back every time Man city were running at us. He'll come good again but he was exceptionally poor today.
Pepe - 6
Wasn't happening for him today as much as he tried and did at least give Mendy something to think about at left back. Let Fernandinho go for the first goal but otherwise worked harder defensively than I've seen in previous weeks.
Ozil - 5
No where near as poor as people want to make out he was on social media. No, he has far from his best game, but he was certainly no worse than the teams performance on the whole and even KDB would struggle to get going in this side. For all the drive and energy ESR brought instead when he came on, we lost the control that Ozil offers going forward.
Martinelli - 7 (MOTM)
The hardest working player on the pitch by some distance. He is a nuisance to play against as Otamendi and Walker found out in the opening 30 seconds, and he does his defensive duties on top of that. It's a shame not every other arsenal player works as hard defensively with the same technical security he does.
Aubameyang - 5
We could have left Auba out of the squad and played with 10 men and not even notice. Chased lost causes early on but soon gave it up. If he's not given any service though then he'll continue to struggle so I do have some sympathy for him.
Saka - 6
For a kid who's been used predominantly as a winger in first team football and hasn't played left back since his days in youth football, he gave a good account of himself. Rarely troubled (Albeit city took their foot off the gas in the second half) and played at left back without a fuss. Can't ask for much more.
ESR - 6
Played with an energy and determination we sorely lack. He turned and drove at city's back line on a few occasions and it's a very promising sign but he lacks the same technical security and quality that Ozil possesses so once he turned and was running he wasn't able to offer much else. Probably also didn't help that he wasn't offered much support.
Willock - N/A
There were no surprises with the line up, it was more or less the same side that played the bulk of the game on Monday night, except Guendouzi took Xhaka's place. From a personal stand point, I had my doubts but it was the line up a lot of people anticipated and were asking for.
The first half started superbly! Just a shame that was for around 30 seconds with Martinelli threatening early on with our only shot on target for the entire game. The other 44 minutes were as bad as it could probably get. Only a minute after Martinelli's early opportunity, KDB put city ahead ruthlessly. Fernandinho was allowed to bring the ball into midfield and aim a ball into Jesus down our right channel. It looked an ominous enough ball for Chambers to simply mop up but he didn't take the initiative to engage and let Jesus take the ball and sprint towards the by-line. His cross back across the ball bounced the way of KDB who lashed an effort into the top corner.
The second goal was made by KDB but it was again all to easy. AMN was caught too high and wasn't able to recover effectively enough to stop KDB running again at our right hand byline. Chambers went to try and meet KDB but neither him or AMN could prevent the cross into the box, Kolasinac lost Sterling who was sitting and waiting for the cross to reach him for an easy tap in. 15 minutes in and it was already one hell of an upward battle from here on in.
It was game set and match though before we could even make it to half time. KDB picked up the ball just right of the goal. He turned Guendouzi far too easily without any attempt at a foul, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled an effort right into Leno's bottom right hand corner leaving him no chance. It was a superb finish it must be said, but just as the goals before it, he should never have been allowed the opportunity to get his shot away altogether.
The rest of the game was a nothing contest and only a combination of Leno plus Man city not looking to absolutely demolish us prevented the 3-0 score looking more like one you'd see in a game of Cricket. There was enough time left at the end of the first half to force Leno into the save of the season, tipping a wicked KDB effort onto the post at full stretch. In the second half, Chambers gave the ball away dead centre of our own half, thankfully though Leno was quick to rush out and snuff out the danger. Sterling also went close near the end of the game, arrowing a low effort across Leno's goal and inches past the post.
On the contrary, the closest Arsenal could muster in the second half went several yards wide of the post from a very difficult angle. Auba ran onto a lofted ball over the top of Walker and tried a first time half volley from the left corner of the City penalty box. Auba might be capable of the spectacular, but on his weak foot and at such an awkward angle, it was never likely to trouble Ederson.
Ratings:
Ljunberg - 5
It might have been the team everyone was asking for but that doesn't mean it was the right one. Guendouiz and Torreira together as a double pivot just doesn't work and it was a poor decision in my opinion to go with it. Despite a very poor performance from Guendouzi, he did somehow still remain on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Also seemed to have an over reliance on his youth players when a Willock in poor form was still chosen to play the final 10 minutes over Lacazette who looked less than impressed sitting on the bench.
Leno - 7
Surprisngly had very little to do. His ability catching crosses is improving but besides the two saves mentioned and the goals, he was rarely called upon. Such were the quality of Man city's finishing, there was extremely little he could do for any of the 3 goals. But the save to avoid it becoming 4-0 was just simply outstanding, it'd take something extraordinary to top it for the save of the season already.
AMN - 5
Was caught too high up for the second goal and couldn't recover in time to effectively deal with KDB. Looked to link with Pepe and it looks promising but ultimately didn't deliver much going in either direction.
Chambers - 4
Quite why he doesn't deal with the initial ball for the first goal is beyond me, it didn't look the toughest ball to defend and he's dealt with harder competently enough. Gave the ball away dead centre of our own half and can thank Leno for sparing his blushes. Struggled all day.
Sokratis - 5
Whilst not at fault for any of the goals, he looked nervy throughout and almost got caught out on the ball once or twice. Can defend well enough but just not to this level.
Kolasinac - 4.5
It wouldn't have made much difference to the goal but ducking out of the way of a shot on goal is never a good sign and it speaks volume to the mindset of the squad as a whole. Lost Sterling for city's second and didn't have enough game management smarts when injured. Instead of staying down injured while Saka got ready, he came off first and we were down to 10 men while city got the third from his side of the pitch. His performance and injury was a real shame when he was in good form previously.
Torreira - 6
The best outfield player on the pitch with Martinelli. Though after half an hour he seemed to go missing and wasn't putting himself about as much as he was before. A peculiar performance but by no means the worst.
Guendouzi - 3
There's no doubting this kid has ability, drive, and determination. But today highlighted why a Torreira-Guendouzi double pivot just doesn't work. Was found out time and time again, too slow to turn, absolutely zero defensive awareness or defensive common sense and criminally JOGGED back every time Man city were running at us. He'll come good again but he was exceptionally poor today.
Pepe - 6
Wasn't happening for him today as much as he tried and did at least give Mendy something to think about at left back. Let Fernandinho go for the first goal but otherwise worked harder defensively than I've seen in previous weeks.
Ozil - 5
No where near as poor as people want to make out he was on social media. No, he has far from his best game, but he was certainly no worse than the teams performance on the whole and even KDB would struggle to get going in this side. For all the drive and energy ESR brought instead when he came on, we lost the control that Ozil offers going forward.
Martinelli - 7 (MOTM)
The hardest working player on the pitch by some distance. He is a nuisance to play against as Otamendi and Walker found out in the opening 30 seconds, and he does his defensive duties on top of that. It's a shame not every other arsenal player works as hard defensively with the same technical security he does.
Aubameyang - 5
We could have left Auba out of the squad and played with 10 men and not even notice. Chased lost causes early on but soon gave it up. If he's not given any service though then he'll continue to struggle so I do have some sympathy for him.
Saka - 6
For a kid who's been used predominantly as a winger in first team football and hasn't played left back since his days in youth football, he gave a good account of himself. Rarely troubled (Albeit city took their foot off the gas in the second half) and played at left back without a fuss. Can't ask for much more.
ESR - 6
Played with an energy and determination we sorely lack. He turned and drove at city's back line on a few occasions and it's a very promising sign but he lacks the same technical security and quality that Ozil possesses so once he turned and was running he wasn't able to offer much else. Probably also didn't help that he wasn't offered much support.
Willock - N/A
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