Arsenal battled with 10-men to hold on to a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
The north London side looked set to achieve a victory over the reigning Premier League champions, choosing to deploy defensive tactics to cling on to their 2-1 lead, before John Stones threw his side a lifeline in the 98th minute to gift City a late point.
The Gunners were forced to settle for a draw, but could take pride in their ability to defend well for most of the second half.
Here’s two winners and one loser from Arsenal’s draw with City, according to 90min’s esteemed player ratings.
David Raya: 9/10
Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya deserves his flowers for his performance against City. His side spend the majority of the final 45 minutes camped in front of his goal, yet he never let this phase him and instead stepped up for his team again, and again.
Raya made several crucial saves to prevent City from taking a lead, making the right decisions inside the box to become a rock amongst Arsenal’s backline.
He took immense pressure off of his defenders by coming out for crosses and involving himself when the ball reached dangerous positions. Raya acted in a safe, composed manner, conducting the backline to demonstrate a defensive masterclass for a large portion of the clash.
If he wasn’t between the sticks, City could’ve ran away with a lead.
Honourable mention
Jurrien Timber: 8/10
Jurrien Timber had an exceptional game against City – becoming an aggressive, proactive member of the Gunners’ squad.
He was on the front foot at every possible opportunity and kept players like Jeremy Doku quiet with his ability to dominate tackles.
If Mikel Arteta could’ve carved his ideal defender, it would’ve been Timber in this game. The versatile star thrived in both attack and defence while the Gunners fought to earn a well-deserved win.
Leandro Trossard: 3/10
Leandro Trossard let his side down when he decided to unnecessarily kick the ball away – a hot topic amongst the Arsenal camp anyway – after a foul on Bernardo Silva.
Whether you thought his sending off was fair or not, his decision to act carelessly in a vital fixture impacted his teammates – who were forced to spend the rest of the game with their backs to the wall to defend their lead.
With Arteta’s injury crisis mounting, acts like this from his players will not go down well.
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, Arsenal’s draw with Manchester City was a testament to the Gunners’ resilience and defensive capabilities, particularly with 10 men on the field. David Raya’s standout performance in goal was crucial in keeping City at bay, while Jurrien Timber impressed with his aggressive play. However, Leandro Trossard’s red card marred an otherwise solid defensive display from Arsenal. As the season progresses, Mikel Arteta will need his players to maintain focus and discipline to stay competitive in the Premier League.
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