Arsenal’s 1-0 Triumph Over Man City: Player Ratings & Analysis | OneFootball

Arsenal’s 1-0 Triumph Over Man City: Player Ratings & Analysis | OneFootball

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·8 October 2023

Arsenal’s 1-0 Triumph Over Man City: Player Ratings & Analysis

Article image:Arsenal’s 1-0 Triumph Over Man City: Player Ratings & Analysis

Arsenal’s Triumph Over Manchester City: A Detailed Analysis

In a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli. This win not only marked Mikel Arteta’s first Premier League triumph over City but also saw Arsenal level on points with their north London adversaries, Tottenham Hotspur. For City, it was a bitter pill to swallow, marking their first consecutive top-flight losses since 2018.

Match Ebb and Flow

Manchester City, true to their reputation, started with vigour. Within the first five minutes, they almost broke the deadlock. Josko Gvardiol, escaping Martin Odegaard’s grasp during a corner, volleyed the ball towards the goal. However, Declan Rice’s timely intervention prevented City from taking the lead. Moments later, Nathan Ake, after a commendable control, fired over the bar, missing a golden opportunity.


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Arsenal’s strategy of building from the back seemed risky, especially with David Raya’s casual approach. A careless pass from Raya nearly gifted City a goal, but fortune favoured the Gunners as the ball hit the side-netting.

The first half wasn’t just about missed chances. Mateo Kovacic’s two rash challenges became the talking point. First, a dangerous tackle on Odegaard, and then a late slide on Rice. On both occasions, Kovacic was fortunate to remain on the pitch.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Arsenal, largely due to Martinelli’s introduction. The Brazilian’s energy was evident, and in the 86th minute, he made the decisive impact. A deflected shot from Martinelli found its way past Ederson, sealing the win for Arsenal.

Article image:Arsenal’s 1-0 Triumph Over Man City: Player Ratings & Analysis

Photo: IMAGO

Performance Analysis: Arsenal

  1. David Raya (GK) – 4/10: Looked uncertain with the ball, raising a few eyebrows.

Defenders:

  • Ben White (RB) – 7/10: Solid defensively and showed composure in possession.
  • William Saliba (CB) – 7/10: Managed to keep Haaland quiet, reminiscent of a prime Craig Dawson.
  • Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) – 6/10: Reliable at the back.
  • Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 7/10: Made crucial defensive contributions.

Midfield Trio:

  • Martin Odegaard – 7/10: Led by example with a tireless display.
  • Jorginho – 6/10: Distributed well from deep.
  • Declan Rice – 8/10: The standout midfielder, showcasing his all-round abilities.

Forwards:

  • Gabriel Jesus – 5/10: Showed glimpses but lacked the final touch.
  • Eddie Nketiah – 5/10: Struggled due to limited service.
  • Leandro Trossard – 4/10: Failed to make an impact.

Substitutes:

  • Gabriel Martinelli – 8/10: Changed the game’s complexion.
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6/10
  • Kai Havertz – 7/10: Played a part in the decisive goal.

Manager – Mikel Arteta – 7/10: His decision to bring on Martinelli proved to be a game-changer.

Performance Analysis: Manchester City

Ederson (GK) – 5/10: Had little to do except for the goal.

Defence:

  • Kyle Walker – 6/10: Consistent as ever.
  • Ruben Dias – 4/10: Uncharacteristic errors.
  • Nathan Ake – 5/10: Mixed outing.
  • Josko Gvardiol – 6/10: Almost found the net.

Midfield:

  • Rico Lewis – 6/10: Held his ground in the middle.
  • Mateo Kovacic – 3/10: Lucky to avoid an early shower.

Forwards:

  1. Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland – 4/10: A day to forget for the trio.
  2. Julian Alvarez – 6/10: His pressing was noteworthy.

Substitutes:

  1. Jeremy Doku – 6/10: Brought some dynamism.
  2. John Stones, Matheus Nunes – 5/10: Struggled to influence the game.

Manager – Pep Guardiola – 5/10: City’s lack of pace was evident, raising questions about the starting XI.

Man of the Match: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)

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