Fresh Football Fresh quotes, opinion and reaction to the beautiful game.
Here are the Fresh Football player rating’s for this afternoons clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City
Claudio Bravo - 5
Had little to do during the first half and could not doing anything about Theo Walcott’s opener, much the same in the second half, cannot recall him making a save.
Pablo Zabaleta - 6
Was relatively solid at the back and tried to get forward as much as he could, was subbed off at half time.
Nicolas Otamendi - 7
Was all over the place for Walcott’s opener as he looked set to have a tough afternoon, but after composing himself he grew into the game and dominated Arsenal’s attacking force in an impressive performance.
Aleksandar Kolarov - 8
Kolarov was superb at the back for City today and certainly the better of the two centre-halves, he was calm, excellent in possession and defensively solid in a fine performance.
Gael Clichy - 6
As always, a very strong outlet going forward but was a bit more vulnerable defensively, seemed to be behind the pace at times of the games but overall was impressive against his former team.
Fernando - 8
Showed fantastic energy and drive from the midfield and dominated the likes of Coquelin and Xhaka, was defensively solid and disciplined whilst recycling possession very well.
Leroy Sane - 8.5
Always looked positive going forward and showed some glimpses of trickery in tight positions in the first half. Scored a very well taken goal in the 47th minute and caused Arsenal’s back-line havoc all afternoon.
Yaya Toure - 8
Toure was again superb for City this afternoon and has been growing in confidence again since his return to the starting XI, he dominated the midfield in an all round brilliant display.
David Silva - 7.5
Silva provided an excellent assist for Sane’s opener and was brilliant in possession as always, was rightly booked for a cynical foul but was at the heart of everything good for Manchester City.
Raheem Sterling - 8
After missing a golden chance in sixth minute to equalise he did not let this dwell on him. He was brilliant all game and got his reward in the 71st minute after scoring an excellent goal, getting away from Monreal and firing past Petr Cech.
Kevin De Bruyne - 9
Was City’s most dangerous player in the first half and always looked like he could create something. Arguably made pass of the season for Sterling’s winner after switching play exquisitely, was technically ahead of every single player on the pitch.
Arsenal
Petr Cech - 4
Cech broke a new record today after going eight games without a clean sheet as Arsenal’s defensive struggles continue, although he made some good saves his distribution was atrocious and put the Gunners under extreme pressure. Could’ve done better for the winner too.
Hector Bellerin - 6
Showed some glimpses of his pace and broke from the back to start the build up to Walcott’s goal, was quiet apart from that and was pegged back for most of the game due to City’s dominance.
Gabriel Paulista - 3
Today again showed why Arsenal miss Mustafi, Gabriel was absolutely diabolical. He blasted a ball at Hector Bellerin which nearly led to an own goal, was woeful all round defensively and always hoofed the ball long, not the Arsenal way.
Laurent Koscielny - 6
Koscielny was probably one of Arsenal’s better players on the afternoon, as always held his own and showed solidarity at the back, will probably be annoyed with himself for not getting in front of Sterling’s shot.
Nacho Monreal - 5
Had a tough afternoon against City’s attackers and was beaten so easily by Sterling which he scored from, a defender can only back off so much until he realises he’s allowed his marker into a dangerous position, an absolute disaster by Monreal.
Granit Xhaka - 5
Xhaka was poor in the midfield for Arsenal today, he gave the ball away in dangerous areas and for not one minute did he or Coquelin have any control for Arsenal, very poor performance.
Francis Coquelin - 4
Coquelin has many limitations in his play and this showed again today, he has no technical ability and is a disaster in building play from defensive situations. Yes he shows passion, but that will not win games, for someone starting for Arsenal without any ability to play football is quite baffling, it drags the team down.
Theo Walcott - 6
Walcott’s pace got the better of City, he scored a very well taken goal in the fourth minute and could have had another. Worked very hard all afternoon and was one of the better performers for Arsenal.
Mesut Ozil - 2
Was the worst performer on the pitch in an utterly horrible display, twice this week Ozil has gone missing when Arsenal needed him most and for a player demanding a pay rise then maybe he should start playing like he deserves one. When the tackles started flying in he started walking about the pitch feeling sorry for himself. Did not applaud the away fans at the end and should be embarrassed.
Alex Iwobi - 5
Worked hard to press from the front with Sanchez but had a quiet first half, gave the ball away at times when he needed to be more composed, faded away in the second half and was subbed off for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Alexis Sanchez - 7
Beautiful assist for Walcott’s goal and ran himself into the ground as usual in the first half, much the same in the second half, you won’t find a more determined player than Sanchez and to be honest he deserves a lot better.
Subs
Manchester City
Bacary Sagna - 7
Came on at half-time and was excellent down the right-hand side, hardly had any defensive duties but was solid when called upon.
Jesus Navas - N/A
Kelechi Iheanacho - N/A
Arsenal
Alex Oxlade - Chamberlain - N/A
Olivier Giroud - N/A
Mohamed Elneny - N/A
