Arsenal went to Manchester City and lost, just like we all expected them to.
Unfortunately, just because we expected a defeat, doesn’t mean we can accept it or excuse the players for their poor performances.
That the scoreline wasn’t worse was a reflection of City’s wastefulness during the game. Arsenal offered some fight but there was never any genuine hope of a comeback. All City had to do was flex their muscles and their two goal lead was restored.
So, goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus gave a City a routine victory over a plucky visiting side. Alexandre Lacazette got a consolation goal off the bench to make the scoreline a little more respectable.
Here’s how the team got on.
Defence
Petr Cech 4
He got a hand to De Bruyne’s shot on the first goal and might have saved had it been 2007 and not 2017. Unfortunately, this is the Cech we’re stuck with now. He pulled off a couple of good saves, but the feeling of complete security with him in goal is gone now. Also, add another one to his tally of unsaved penalties.
Francis Coquelin 6
If we were all surprised to see Coquelin named in the starting line-up, we were flummoxed to see him starting in the middle of the the back three. We’ll never work out what Wenger’s thinking was here. Yet, somehow, Coquelin wasn’t even the worst player on the pitch. He was actually quite good. With plenty of ground to cover, he was able to run around and slide in to his heart’s content. He stopped a number of counter-attacks. If he wasn’t such a liability on the ball, he’d be a genuine option for the first team.
Laurent Koscielny 5
The captain on the day kept his composure when Arsenal were pushing forward to get back into the game. He stepped in to make a number of interceptions. Unfortunately, he was one of the defenders who stood there appealing for offside instead of marking someone during City’s third goal.
Nacho Monreal 4
Not even Monreal could sort out this mess. The Spaniard wasn’t at his best, and will have been disappointed to concede a penalty so early in the second half.
Next up, midfield
Midfield
Hector Bellerin 4
A player famed for his attacking instincts yet makes so many conservative decisions on the ball. Bellerin played sideways too often, and offered little threat in behind despite having plenty of room on his flank.
Granit Xhaka 4
Short of options on the ball, but a statue without it. A player who needs to play deep in midfield, yet can’t perform the basic defensive actions the position requires. David Silva had a field day running off the back of him, knowing full well he wouldn’t be tracked. With his passing far below the quality it needs be, you have to ask just what he’s offering this Arsenal team at the moment.
Aaron Ramsey 4
Ramsey’s problem is usually discipline and his positioning on the pitch. Against City, though, it was quality on the ball that was lacking. City’s press gave his technique a thorough testing, and he failed to show any quality. His assist for Lacazette’s goal was nice, but his lack of contributions in the middle third of the pitch let him down.
Sead Kolasinac 3
This was the poorest performance he’s put in since joining. Kolasinac was weak in the tackle, and a had a horrible time against the pace and movement of Sterling. It was he who lost sight of him at the start of the second half before the penalty, and he resorted to shoving him over numerous times just to prevent him from getting to the ball first.
Next, forwards, and it doesn’t get any prettier…
Forwards
Alex Iwobi 3
He tries, but does he really have the quality to effect these types of games? His passing and decision making were well below the required level. Serious questions have to be asked about his inclusion in the starting eleven.
Mesut Ozil 3
This has nothing to do with his defensive effort, and everything to do with his quality on the ball. That is to say, there was a startling lack of it. Even on a bad day, you can expect Ozil to create a few chances. Not today, though. He was totally ineffectual, and his passing lacked the usual the precision. When Arsenal were crying out for some quality, he failed to provide it.
Alexis Sanchez 4
You’d be forgiven for thinking Alexis was wearing sky blue, given the number of times he turned the ball over. Yet, he was the only forward who looked likely to make anything happen. He played a lonely role up top and did well against two much larger centre backs, but struggled to produce a quality final pass.
Finally, subs…
Subs
Alexandre Lacazette 6
The £52m striker came on, got one chance, and buried it. Wenger clearly doesn’t see him as the main man up front yet, but it’s obvious that nobody else in the squad is as good in front of goal as he is. He’s a striker who should be up there with the likes of Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku, but doesn’t get anywhere near the same amount of minutes. It’s a bizarre thing to say, but Wenger must give him more playing time.
Jack Wilshere N/A
Had a few touches, but came on when the game was done and dusted.
Olivier Giroud N/A
Got his complimentary minutes at the end of the game, as usual.