Man City vs Arsenal player ratings

2024-03-31Last Updated: 2024-03-31

170 3 minutes read

Man City 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal avoided defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad for the first time in a Premier League match since 2015 after earning a hard-fought point in the top-of-the-table clash.

In truth, it was a disappointing game with both sides effectively cancelling one another out. The result means that Liverpool go into the midweek round of matches in first position after they squeezed past Brighton earlier in the day.

It was an afternoon in which the defensive players won out over the attackers with Arsenal’s centre-backs particularly impressive on the day.

Here’s how the players on both teams performed out of 10:

Man City

Stefan Ortega: An assured performance from Ederson’s deputy who dealt with Arsenal’s set-piece threat well. Got his positioning right to parry a late Trossard cross-shot but had little else to do. 6
Manuel Akanji: Looked unconvincing at right-back before shuttling inside after Ake’s withdrawal. Arsenal’s limited attacking threat meant he had a pretty comfortable afternoon. 6
Ruben Dias: Held a makeshift back five together well. With City’s defenders dropping like flies he is arguably becoming City’s most important player. 7
Nathan Ake: Missed a good chance to score from a corner early on and then had to be withdrawn before the 30-minute mark with what looked like a calf injury 5
Josko Gvardiol: The more adventurous of City’s full-backs offering an outlet on the left wing. Hasn’t always looked comfortable at left-back but marshalled Saka well. 6
Rodri: Ran the game with his usual precision passes and poise on the ball. Played in a slightly more advanced role than usual with Kovacic sweeping behind him. 7
Mateo Kovacic: Saw plenty of the ball but was fortunate that a slack pass straight to Odegaard went unpunished. Whipped a good effort narrowly wide from range before being taken off as part of an attacking change from Guardiola. 5
Kevin De Bruyne: Passed and probed but lacked his usual X Factor. Robbed Saka in his own box but no-one was on hand to turn in his cut-back. Hasn’t quite been able to bend big matches to his will since returning from a lengthy hamstring injury. 6
Bernardo Silva: Looked the most likely to make things happen in a cagey first 45 minutes but his influence waned. Picked up a customary yellow card for a professional foul on Saka. 6
Phil Foden: Completely anonymous from the first minute until the 60th when he was withdrawn. Looked unhappy at being taken off but was unable to impact the game at all. 4
Erling Haaland: On the periphery in the first half with just seven touches in total. Didn’t fare much better in the second either but was starved of service. Had some stern words with Gabriel at the end before appearing to make up with him. 4

Substitutes:

Rico Lewis: 6
Jack Grealish: 5
Jeremy Doku: 5

Arsenal

David Raya: Saved from Ake’s point-blank effort but otherwise barely had anything to do. Did well to prevent a loopy De Bruyne corner from sailing into his top corner. Booked for time wasting. 6
Ben White: Demonstrated his growing confidence as an attacking right-back by flooding forward when the opportunity presented itself. Suffered a knock but was able to shrug it off. 7
William Saliba: Absent for this fixture last season and how Arsenal missed his calming presence. Read the game superbly and was always in the right place to make a decisive header or a block. 9
Gabriel Magalhaes: As above but with extra s___housery, unsettling Haaland by muttering in his ear and getting touch tight to him at all times. 8
Jakub Kiwior: Has dislodged Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back lately but looked nervy at times and was taken off midway through the second half. 5
Jorginho: Didn’t see much of the ball but diligently held his position at the base of midfield, making it hard for City to create much centrally. Taken off after 65 minutes. 6
Martin Odegaard: Guilty of taking too many touches at times and his passing lacked its usual accuracy. Cut a frustrated figure, making a few needless fouls. 5
Declan Rice: Accustomed to having more of the ball ordinarily, Arsenal’s counter-attacking gameplan didn’t really get the best out of him. Wasted a couple of corners by hitting the first man. 6
Bukayo Saka: Shrugged off a knock to start. Quiet in the first half but came to life after the break and almost teed up Jesus to score at the back post. Wilted as the match wore on and appeared to be limping as he made his exit on 77 minutes. 5
Gabriel Jesus: Recalled to the starting line-up to face his former club. Had the game’s first attempt but shinned a volley wide of the post and then lashed Arsenal’s second effort wide. Booked for foolishly kicking the ball away. Earned a mixed reception from the home fans when taken off. 6
Kai Havertz: Has been in strong goalscoring form of late but fed off scraps. Put himself about admirably, chasing long balls forward and mucking in to help his midfielders. 6