Arsenal player ratings vs Man City: Rob Holding out of his depth; Gabriel Martinelli goes missing
Rob Holding #RobHolding
Arsenal’s title hopes were dealt a hammer blow after they went down to a one-sided 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Brilliant finishes from Kevin De Bruyne in each half, a John Stones header from the Belgian’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time and Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time strike earned City a supremely comfortable win, moving them to within two points of the Premier League leaders with two games in hand.
Rob Holding curled home a consolation goal for the Gunners, who are now winless in four games.
Dan Kilpatrick was at the Etihad to rate the Arsenal players…
Aaron Ramsdale – 4
Twice saved smartly from Haaland in the first half to keep the scoreline respectable but too easily beaten by the Norwegian at the death. Looked slow to get down to De Bruyne’s opener on first view but it was a superb finish.
Ben White – 4
His block on De Bruyne’s shot saved a certain goal but his boot played Stones on side for the crucial second. Struggled all night with Jack Grealish’s directness.
Rob Holding – 3
Too tight on Haaland and easy turned for the opening goal, nutmegged by De Bruyne for City’s third and at fault for number four in a ragged performance. Clearly targeted by City and dragged out of position repeatedly. Took his goal very well at the other end, though.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 5
De Bruyne breezed past him for the opening goal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 4
Struggled to have any influence on the game and his passing radar was off in the face of City’s pressure.
Martin Odegaard – 5
Carelessly and uncharacteristically lost possession ahead of City’s third goal by De Bruyne. Pressed out of the game.
Thomas Partey – 4
Failed to track De Bruyne’s runs all game and carelessly gave away the free-kick for City’s second goal. Fired Arsenal’s best chance of the game wide.
Granit Xhaka – 4
Overrun in the midfield and looked in danger of losing his head before being withdrawn.
Bukayo Saka – 5
Well managed by Manuel Akanji with help from Grealish and struggled to make an impact when he did find space.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Completely anonymous and replaced on the hour after barely a sniff.
Gabriel Jesus – 4
No chances of note and little in the way of creativity when he dropped deep on search of the ball.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossaard (Martinelli 60′) – 6
Bundled his way through to set up Holding’s goal.
Jorginho (Xhaka 60′) – 6
To be fair, he got on the ball and urged Arsenal forward but the last hour an hour of the game was dead.
Emile Smith Rowe (Odegaard 71′) – 5
Got a run out for the last 20 minutes.
Eddie Nketiah (Jesus 80′) – 5
Fired a decent chance wide of the far post late on.
Reiss Nelson (Saka 80′) – 5
Made a chance for Nketiah with a nice piece of skill and pass.
Not used: Tierney, Kiwior, Vieira, Turner.
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