Arsenal succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City in Unai Emery’s first professional game in charge of the club.
THE POSITIVES:
While we lost the game, there’s definitely positives we can take going into the match against Chelsea. Our centre backs looked solid. A lot of question marks were raised over Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papasthathopoulous and they both stepped up with tidy displays. The organisation of the back 4 and the team as a unit was good as well. Our pressing game was strong and we did cause City to rush a few of their passes. Matteo Guendouzi looks some player. Yes, he made a few mistakes, but he is only 19 and will definitely learn from them. Once Lucas Torreira came on, we seemed to have more control over proceedings. Stephan Lichtsteiner filled in admirably at left back and did not put a foot wrong. Petr Cech made some fantastic saves, but we now know for sure that Bernd Leno has to start if we are to play out from the back more effectively. We did not capitulate like how we did last season. We were very much in the game for a good period. Both of Manchester City’s goals were quality finishes, so one has to respect that and give credit to the opposition.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Petr Cech: 6/10 – Almost scored an own goal but made multiple brilliant saves to keep us in the game. Passing the ball out from the back is not his greatest strength and it showed today.
Hector Bellerin: 6.5/10- Left isolated many a time against Mendy and Sterling, but dealt with most of what came at him effectively and made some nice runs going forward.
Shkodran Mustafi: 7/10- Solid game. Played out from the back very well. Can’t be blamed for the goals we conceded.
Sokratis: 7/10- Made some last ditch tackles to keep us in the hunt and dealt with whatever came at him effectively.
Ainsley Maitland Niles: 6/10- Did well, but had to get forced off due to injury after 35 mins.
Granit Xhaka: 4.5/10- Took too long to release the ball. Looked quite off the pace today. Doesn’t seem to be match fit.
Matteo Guendouzi: 7/10- He was unfazed by the opposition and despite making a few mistakes, kept on going. Put in a display way ahead of his years.
Mesut Ozil: 4.5/10- Completely off the pace today, even after getting shifted to his favoured No.10 position in the second half. His final ball lacked the quality it normally possesses.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 4.5/10- Just like Ozil, his passing was completely off today. Worked hard, but had a shocker all in all.
Aaron Ramsey: 5/10- Energetic display in an unfamiliar second striker position. But he’s better off playing a little bit deeper.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 5/10- Could not hold the ball up well and was sloppy in general.
SUBS:
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 7/10- Dealt very well with the threats coming in from City’s right hand side. Played in an unfamiliar left back role very well.
Alexandre Lacazette: 6/10- Did better than Aubameyang and caused a few openings which weren’t taken.
Lucas Torreira: 7/10- We controlled the game quite nicely once he came on. Nice 20 minute cameo on his Arsenal debut.
