Arsenal player ratings: Lewis-Skelly thrives on biggest stage but Saliba’s biggest flaw brutally exposed in win
ARSENAL kept their slim Premier League title hopes alive with a battering of floundering champions Manchester City.
The Gunners welcomed Pep Guardiola‘s troops to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, which they started nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
But they reduced the gap between themselves and the Merseysiders to six points thanks to a 5-1 WIN over the visitors.
Goals from Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri did the business on a cold evening in north London.
SunSport was live in attendance at the Emirates and is on hand to rate and slate the performances of Mikel Arteta’s troops.
David Raya – 7/10
Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol.
Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland‘s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.
William Saliba – 5
Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles. Marshalled the defence well in early in the second but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8
Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield.
Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.
Thomas Partey – 7
Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required.
Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock.
Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.
Declan Rice – 6
Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside.
Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.
Kai Havertz – 6
Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later.
Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy.
Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.
Substitutes
Ethan Nwaneri – 83 (on for Trossard) – 7
Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.
Mikel Merino – 83 (on for Odegaard) – 5
Raheem Sterling – 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) – N/A
Riccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) – N/A