Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal (April 26th 2023)

Arsenal’s hopes for a first league title in 19 years all but end after a dismal performance against the reigning Premier League Champions at The Etihad Stadium. 

A Kevin De Bruyne strike either side of half time, along with a 46th minute John Stones header and an Erling Haaland stoppage time finish saw The Sky Blues send a pitiful Arsenal side back to North London empty-handed. 

Pep Guardiola’s side now sit just 2 points behind Arsenal with 2 games in hand ahead of the final 5 games of the season, and have one hand firmly on their 3rd Premier League title in a row.

Let’s take a look at the player ratings from a night to forget in Manchester.

Ramsdale – 5

While the Englishman probably should’ve done better to stop De Bruyne from opening the scoring from outside the box at his near post, Ramsdale also made several key saves in the game that stopped City from scoring double the amount that they actually scored. Having said that, he probably could’ve done better with De Bruyne’s second, and also Haaland’s 95th minute goal, which he gets a weak right-hand to. It’s hard to give him anything more than a 5, although he was severely let down by a defence that was completely dominated by Haaland and De Bruyne for the whole game.

Zinchenko – 5

Arsenal’s playmaking full-back failed to make an impression and struggled to influence the game from the usual central positions that he roams into at his former stomping ground. Was one of the few Arsenal players who didn’t look nervous and tried to make things happen offensively, but ultimately to no avail.

Holding – 2

Was completely dominated by Erling Haaland all game. Got pulled out of position far too easily for City’s first goal inside the first ten minutes, and then again for City’s third goal which allowed De Bruyne the time and space to calmly complete his brace. Was also too slow to close down Foden for the assist for Haaland’s 95th-minute strike. To have the cheek to wink like he did after his meaningless consolation goal after defending like a rookie all game was laughable. Shades of his calamitous performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in our biggest game of the season last year. Truth be told it looked like a Championship defender vs the best striker in the world. 

Gabriel – 4

Although City deliberately targeted Holding’s side of Arsenal’s central defence more than the Brazilian’s, who on the whole has had an impressive season in red and white, the 25-year-old was still below par and struggled to keep up with the brilliance of De Bruyne and Haaland. Doesn’t look the same player without William Saliba next to him. 

White – 5

Was far from Arsenal’s worst player on the pitch. Made an excellent block to deny Haaland from grabbing a first-half goal. Having said that, he struggled to build any attacks down the right-hand side and was ineffective at doubling up with Saka to threaten City’s left-side of defence. Hard to give any starter more than a 5. 

Xhaka – 4

Was pretty anonymous for the hour that he was on the pitch, before being subbed off by Arteta for lacking composure and failing to keep his cool. Was a disappointing showing from the man who was supposed to be the eldest and most experienced Arsenal player on the pitch. Didn’t look right from the start, possibly still shrugging off his recent illness.

Partey – 4

Although not helped by his Swiss midfield partner, it was another poor showing from the Ghanaian, who just couldn’t get a hold of De Bruyne from the exact moment that Michael Oliver blew his whistle to start the game. For Arsenal to have any chance of leaving The Etihad with at least a point, they needed the combative midfielder to be strong, disciplined and first to every second ball, which he wasn’t. Had a game to forget in a month to forget for the player and the club. Picked up his 4th yellow card of the campaign in the process.

Odegaard – 4

When the 24-year-old Norwegian starlet is on song, Arsenal are usually on song, but Odegaard failed to leave his mark on this game. Tried to get on the ball from deep and make things happen but was largely ineffective. Gave away the ball with a sloppy pass which led to City’s third goal in pretty much identical fashion to the way he did for Southampton’s second goal last Friday, which is pretty inexcusable. 

Saka – 5

Bukayo is so often the man that can find the breakthrough when Arsenal need him to, but like the other forwards, he just couldn’t get into the game. Was dealt with fairly routinely by Akanji, who had an excellent game against arguably the best winger in the league this season. A forgettable showing.

Jesus – 5

Tried to be his usual tricky, mobile, energetic self up against Dias and Stones but failed to impose his will on the game. Would’ve liked him to pull the trigger more when he did get into slightly dangerous positions inside City’s third, but hard to blame him for the complete lack of service he received all game at his former home stadium.

Martinelli – 4

Probably the most anonymous the 21-year-old has been all season. If the chance presented itself, you would have backed him to grab his 16th Premier League goal of the campaign and become the highest scoring Brazilian in a single PL season ever. What a game it would’ve been to break that record, but Kyle Walker and co had other ideas. Starved of service and struggled to create the magic that he is usually able to create by himself.

Trossard (sub) – 7

Despite being on the pitch for just half an hour, was by far Arsenal’s best player. Got his 10th assist of the Premier League season and didn’t look nervous or intimidated by the opposition. Was direct and carried a genuine threat. Deserves to start against Chelsea on Tuesday night. 

Nelson (sub) – 6

Got on the ball and actually tried to go at the City defenders. Although the game was over by the time he came on, he was brave and direct. 

Nketiah (sub) – 5

Was only on for 10 minutes and failed to test Ederson. Can’t blame him.

Jorginho (sub) – 5

Did no harm when he came on. Hard to give him anything more or less than a 5, though. 

Smith Rowe (sub) – 5

Was pretty ineffective for the 19 minutes that he came on. Injuries and a lack of rhythmic game time have meant he sadly hasn’t been able to build on his double-figure goalscoring season of last year.