Gunners with no gunpowder in the City: Arsenal thrashed 5-0 in ManchesterMANCHESTER CITYEderson – 6 – The Brazilian goalkeeper didn’t have anything to do, but he nearly gifted a goal to the opposition after dwelling on a ball for too longKyle Walker – 6 – It was an unusually quiet game for the England defender before gettin subbed at the breakAymeric Laporte – 7 – Spanish international centre-back was rarely called upon at the back, so he went upfield and nearly got a goal with a headerJoao Cancelo – 7 – Had a good game bombing forward and kept tormenting his compatriot Soares. He was moved to right-back when Zinchenko came on and has still had a steady gameBernardo Silva – 7 – With the team’s main playmaker Kevin De Bruyne out, the little Portuguese took control of the ball and did great to supply his attackers with well-timed passes.Rodri – 9 – Midfield dynamo covered the entire pitch, played the most passes and scored a lovely goal from outside the box to make it 4-0. It was a perfect midfield display!Ilkay Gundogan – 8 – Scored the opening goal and led the team with the captain’s armband on his left arm. The German international has Guardiola’s full confidence and you could see whyGabriel Jesus – 8 – A goal and an assist for the Brazilian – and you feel as if he didn’t even try too hard. It was all too easy for the champions todayFerran Torres – 9 – The Spaniard has had an excellent game. He scored two goals, made an assist and was a constant threat. His movement made Arsenal defenders want to go home and cryJack Grealish – 7 – With all eyes inevitably on the $130 million man, he’s had a decent enough game in which he kept dragging Soares and Chambers out of position on the left wingSubstitutes:Raheem Sterling – 7 – Came on with half an hour remaining and put in a good shift without ever excelling of making a telling contribution in the final thirdOleksandr Zinchenko – 6 – Replaced Walker at the start of the second half and gave a steady performance playing at left-back. He didn’t have any defending to do, so he contributed his team’s attack with a few good touchesRiyad Mahrez – 7 – Came on just after the hour mark for Gabriel Jesus and continued where the Brazilian left off. He was dangerous as he provided an assist for the fourth goal and came close to scoring late onManagerial masterclass (©AFP)Manager Pep Guardiola – 8 – He knew where Arsenal’s weak spots were and he sent his team out to hurt the visitors. He showed that he is still the master on the clash with his former student ArtetaArsenal’s start to the Premier League season:3 matches0 goals scored9 goals conceded0 wins3 defeatsBottom of the table. pic.twitter.com/L2h3skGLhi— Goal (@goal) August 28, 2021 ARSENALBernd Leno – 6 – You have to feel sorry for the man. He probably deserves a compassion 10 for playing in this team. He made a couple of saves but was fighting a losing battle from start to finishCedric Soares – 5 – Oh dear. Arteta picked this guy ahead of Hector Bellerin. Whatever you say, Mikel.Callum Chambers – 6 – As a right-back playing as a part of a back three, he was looking uncomfortable. For what is worth, he did make the most clearancesRob Holding – 6 – He was supposed to be Arsenal’s strongest central defender but was looking slow and insecure. He did make a few blocks as City kept pushing forward. Still, it was a bad day at the officeSead Kolasinac – 5 – Last season, he got relegated from the Bundesliga while on loan at his former club Schalke. To see him starting for Arsenal in 2021 was surreal. This guy should maybe test himself in German second divisionKieran Tierney – 6 – He’ll probably have nightmares in which Kyle Walker, Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus are running straight at him. There wasn’t much joy for an attacking full-back in a game he was required to defendBukayo Saka – 6 – The England youngster was cut out of this game completely and was substituted at the break. It was a dismal day for the talented youngsterMartin Odegaard – 6 – It was a harsh reality check for the former Real Madrid midfielder. His job is to take the ball and use it to get his team ticking, but he was unable to even get to the ballGranit Xhaka – 5 – Captain Disaster. His mindless lunge on Cancelo earned him a sending off in the first half. He let himself and the team down yet again. And to think he was given a new contract a few days ago… Wow.Emile Smith Rowe – 6 – Did his best and kept chasing lost causes. He was nearly rewarded with a freak goal when he closed down the overly confident Ederson. It wasn’t enoughPierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5 – Was he even on the pitch?Substitutes:Alexandre Lacazette – 6 – Came on for Aubameyang when the match was long since decided. Did he do anything noteworthy? Not really.Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6 – Came on for with 20 minutes left. It was his first appearance for Arteta since returning from his loan spell at WBAMohamed Elneny – 6 – Was brought on for Bukayo Saka at the break to try and keep the score down. Just like the other Arsenal midfielders, he rarely got near the halfway lineHe didn’t deserve an applause (©Gallo Images)Manager Mikel Arteta – 6 – This wasn’t a game you’d expect anyone to get a good result, but Arteta is still the man many Arsenal fans will pick out for criticism. He probably needs a hug
