The woes continue for Pep Guardiola as his Manchester City side were hammered 5-1 at Arsenal. Trailing inside two minutes after Manuel Akanji’s poor pass led to a goal for Martin Odegaard, they got back level after the break through Erling Haaland’s header.
But from 55 minutes onwards it was one-way traffic. Thomas Partey’s deflected strike made it 2-1, before Myles Lewis-Skelly whipped in a third.
Kai Havertz then added a fourth and in injury time, Ethan Nwaneri completed another harrowing day for the champions. And Guardiola cut an angry figure in the closing stages has his team were left hanging on to prevent further damage.
Express Sport brings you the Man City player ratings on a forgettable day for the champions…
Man City player ratings vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Stefan Ortega – 3
A nightmare. It was his hesitancy with the ball at his feet that started the chaos for the Odegaard goal – and his poor pass out led to another golden Arsenal chance that Kai Havertz wasted. Also suspect for Partey, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri’s strikes.
Matheus Nunes – 6
Tried to get forward and put balls in from out wide but is simply not a right-back.
Manuel Akanji – 5
Inexplicable error early on that put his side 1-0 down. Looks out of place in the heart of the defence.
John Stones – 6
Assured on the ball as always but failed to get a block in for Lewis-Skelly’s goal.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Still looks far more of an attacking threat than he does a reliable defender. Regularly offered himself going forward and his first-half header drew a superb save out of David Raya but caught out for the Havertz goal.
Mateo Kovacic – 5
Did well in the first-half to get back and thwart one attack but struggled for impact with or without ball. The shadow of Rodri looms large.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Even in adversity, work rate could not be faulted. One of the few City players to win ball high up the pitch and if nothing else, looked to create.
Phil Foden – 5
Continues to fall way below the standards he set last season. Dispossessed too often and lacked accuracy with his final ball.
Omar Marmoush – 6
One harmless first-half shot drifted way over. His set-piece deliveries were impressive, creating the headed chance for Gvardiol. A slow start to life at City though.
Savinho – 7
When his end product becomes consistent, will become some player. Exciting with the ball at his feet and his expertly judged cross led to the Haaland goal.
Erling Haaland – 5
A harsh rating given his powerful header yielded City’s only goal but his ineffective first-half display cannot be ignored. Just six touches, and never looked to run the channels despite little ball coming his way. Mercilessly targeted by Arsenal fans and players thoughout. Stay humble, eh?
Substitutes
Kevin de Bruyne (for Marmoush, 72) – 5
Barely had a kick after coming on.
James McAtee (for Foden, 72) – 5
Likewise, little chance to change the tide.
