By PLAYER REVIEWS: Fernandinho Leads The Show With Hector Bellerin Dominated By Raheem Sterling
Manchester City took another step on their seemingly inevitable rise to the Premier League title on Saturday, recording a 13th straight win against Arsenal.
The Gunners were no match for City, with the first half resembling a training drill as Pep Guardiola’s men controlled the game after Raheem Sterling’s opener.
On a night when City bolstered their 10-point lead at the top, JACK GAUGHAN reviewed the performances in the Emirates.
Raheem Sterling scored the only goal when Manchester City passed Arsenal on Saturday
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Bernd Leno – 6.5
Nothing he could do about the goal. Swept up well when the balls formed behind his back four.
Hector Bellerin – 5
He struggled against Raheem Sterling and couldn’t push him the other way.
Rob Holding – 6.5
The center-back shouldn’t have let Sterling bounce on him so easily for the opener. Recovered well afterwards.
Pablo Mari – 7
First start since January 9 – a run of nine games – but managed to withstand City’s move admirably.
Kieran Tierney – 6.5
Could have used more help from his midfielders defensively. Strong as always.
Mohamed Elneny – 6
Very careful with the ball and spent too much of the game behind the ball. Could have stamped more of a mark.
Granit Xhaka – 5.5
Only made a tackle in the 53rd minute and received a warning. Passive if Arsenal needed more bite.
Pepe – 5
It just didn’t affect the game enough. Mikel Arteta must have isolated Aleks Zinchenko from Pepe.
Martin Odegaard – 5.5
Virtually anonymous for much of the afternoon. The City players were too fast when he drifted into the bags.
Bakayo Saka – 7
Arsenal’s most prolific man in the future. Always a threat on the left, trying to attack the empty space left by the marauding Joao Cancelo.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6
No support whatsoever and just couldn’t occupy both of the City’s central defenders.
Substitutes
Alexandre Lacazette (for Odegaard, 73) – 6
Emile Smith Rowe (for Pepe, 73) – 6.5
Dani Ceballos (for Elneny, 86)
Concussion: David Luiz (for Holding, 82)
Subs not used: Ryan, Gabriel, Willian, Soares, Martinelli
Manchester City (4-1-5)
Ederson – 7
Barely had a chance to save, but performed well in clearing and distributing smartly.
Joao Cancelo – 6.5
Not as eye-catching individually, but his roaming still left the opposition confused.
John Stones – 7
Nothing flashes and that’s exactly what Pep Guardiola wants from the reborn Stones.
Ruben Dias – 7.5
Started moving forward in possession more regularly. Massive defense when called upon.
Aleks Zinchenko – 6.5
More of a traditional role when Cancelo plays. Maintained his position, although he seemed to get more forward later.
Fernandinho – 8
Dominant display as the sole sitting midfielder. Intercepted time and time again. A testament to his professionalism that he is occasionally dropped and still rules with authority.
Riyad Mahrez – 7.5
Magical feet, beautiful cross for the early opener. Has come into its own in recent weeks.
Bernardo Silva – 6
The role was more about dragging the Arsenal defenders from their stations and completing that task.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5
Nicely fitted back into midfield, some excellent moments. It doesn’t take long before he is fit again.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5
Possibly a bit rusty in the last third after a gnawing injury. Did not maintain the recent high standards, but others took responsibility.
Raheem Sterling – 7.5 points
Top head in the first two minutes and gave Bellerin a headache with his movement from the left.
Substitutes
Gabriel Jesus (for De Bruyne, 63) – 6
Subs not used: Steffen, Walker, Aguero, Laporte, Rodri, Torres, Mendy, Foden
Referee: Jon Moss 7
