MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - ARSENAL 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY

Image courtesy of goal.com

Manchester City suffered their third defeat in four games at the hands of Arsenal, in a game lacking in quality from both sides.

Both sides were missing key players, with Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne, Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka all absent from their respective matchday squads due to suspension and injury. Also, the likes of John Stones, Thomas Partey and eventual matchwinner Gabriel Martinelli were all deemed unfit enough to start the match, however, all three featured at some stage of the match.

In a first half where the only real chance of note was Nathan Ake poking over the top from close range after pouncing on Erling Haaland's flick on, City will have gone into the break happy to still have 11 players on the pitch.

Mateo Kovacic, who had a torrid afternoon in midfield for City, should've been sent off on two occasions in the first half, on both a straight red card and second yellow offence. Both times, however, the referee and, on the first occasion, VAR, decided that Kovacic didn't do enough to deserve a red card, which, in my opinion, was a very poor decision from the officials.

Neither team really improved in the second half, even after the introduction of Stones, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku, Partey, Martinelli and Kai Havertz, as a way of influencing the game. The game was slow and lethargic, with just a few shining lights on either side.

The main second half talking point was teenager Rico Lewis's disallowed goal, which was ruled out as the referee blew up earlier in the move for a foul, and didn't allow the move to reach its full conclusion.

This was another poor refereeing decision from Oliver, however, as it turned out, the ball hit Lewis's arm in the build up, so it'd have likely have been ruled out anyway.

Arsenal took the lead a few minutes before the end, as Martinelli's shot from the edge of the box slammed off Ake and wrong footed Ederson to give Arsenal a foothold in the game. City hardly got back into the game from that point, as the Gunners cruised over the finish line.

Three defeats in four is unprecedented for this squad of players, and it's highly unlikely we'll see such a run again this season. With the second international break of the season upon us, it's likely that City will come back like a wounded animal, and will come out swinging in their next game against Robert de Zerbi's Brighton.

Here are the player ratings for the defeat at the Emirates:

Ederson - 6.5/10 - There was little to do in goal for the 30 year old Brazilian. Couldn't have done much about the goal. Same old, same old.

Walker - 7/10 - One of City's better performers. Did extremely well to keep both Martinelli and Leandro Trossard quiet for the vast majority of the game. Offered some support going forward too, and looked solid on the ball.

Dias - 6/10 - Again, Dias looked slightly wobbly at the back for the Blues, perhaps caused by fatigue. Hopefully the international break will be just the break needed for the 26 year old to rest and reset to regain his form and statement as a world class defender.

Ake - 6.5/10 - Horrendously unlucky for the goal, and should've put one in at the other end. Other than those two moments, he defended well, and kept Eddie Nketiah quiet up front for Mikel Arteta's side.

Gvardiol - 8/10 - In my opinion, Gvardiol was not just City's man of the match, but was the best player to feature for either side. The Croatian looked classy and unflappable at left back, and, for the first real time in a City shirt, offered an attacking threat too.

Bernardo - 6.5/10 - Playing as the lone 6 for the first time in his City career, Bernardo held his own playing in the most difficult position on the pitch. He helped City control the game, and put up an admirable effort, but it can't be ignored that City would've been much better with the suspended Rodri playing that role.

Lewis - 7/10 - Reasonably quiet throughout the game, but offered flashes of energy and quality throughout the game. Could've scored on another day, and was arguably unfortunate to be substituted off.

Kovacic - 5/10 - Should've certainly been sent off on two occasions, and somehow escaped with just one yellow card. In other elements of his game, Kovacic looked rusty and insecure, and, for the first real time in his City career, it looked like he was out of his depth. Despite this, I'm certain Kovacic will bounce back and show us his early season form very soon.

Alvarez - 6/10 - Playing almost as an inverted right winger, Alvarez looked lost a times without regular touches of the ball. He carried a threat in the pockets, but it ultimately gave Oleksandr Zinchenko an easy ride at left back.

Haaland - 7/10 - I actually think Haaland had a good game, despite the fact he was left completely isolated. He had some dangerous touches of the ball, and linked upwell with Alvarez and Phil Foden. He'll be hungry to end his 3 game goal drought after the international break.

Foden - 6/10 - Very, very quiet against Arsenal. Foden looked short of ideas at times, and wasn't able to step up to fill the creative void in De Bruyne's absence.

Substitutes:

Nunes - 6.5/10 - Showed off his elite ball carrying ability from deep a few times, but was unable to help the midfield create chances for Haaland.

Stones - 6/10 - Playing his first minutes of the season, Stones looked understandably rusty playing as the lone 6. However, his presence in the team remains vital, and it was good to have him back.

Doku - 6.5/10 - Looked to take his man on a few times, and helped track back defensively very well. However, even he was unable to make a dynamic impact on the game.