Gabriel gobbles up Haaland as Arsenal show mettle

Gabriel effectively neutralized Erling Haaland's threat, while Declan Rice and Ben White played pivotal roles in keeping the reigning champions at bay. The defensive prowess of Gabriel stifled Haaland's impact on the game, limiting his opportunities and thwarting Manchester City's attacking prowess.

Meanwhile, Rice and White's solid defensive performances ensured that Arsenal remained resolute and organized throughout the match, frustrating City's attempts to break through their defense. This collaborative effort from Arsenal's defensive lineup played a crucial role in securing a valuable result against one of the top teams in the league.

Liverpool emerged as the main beneficiaries of Arsenal's goalless stalemate with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal finally broke their winless streak at the Etihad by showcasing a resilient performance that frustrated the reigning Premier League champions. Despite missing out on an opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the league standings following Liverpool's victory over Brighton earlier in the day, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with his team's showing, especially considering their previous struggles at the Etihad, where they had failed to secure a single point since 2016.

Gabriel Magalhaes stood out with a stellar performance as Arsenal effectively shut down City's attacking threats, preventing them from finding the back of the net at home in the league for the first time since October 2021. Arsenal's defensive solidity played a crucial role in securing a valuable point away from home against a formidable opponent, showcasing their resilience and determination under Arteta's guidance.

Arsenal's players rating from the Etihad Stadium

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (6/10):

Showed some initial signs of nervousness and struggled with his footing while clearing the ball, leading to a few mistakes early in the game. However, he made a crucial save to deny Ake's close-range header, showcasing his shot-stopping ability.

Ben White (8/10):

Posed a threat to Manchester City's defense whenever he ventured forward down the right flank. His attacking contributions led to two promising chances for Jesus in the first half, demonstrating his versatility and impact on both ends of the pitch.

William Saliba (8/10):

Started the game with some nerves, occasionally taking an extra touch when under pressure. However, he significantly improved after the halftime break and formed a solid defensive partnership with Gabriel to effectively neutralize Haaland's threat.

Gabriel Magalhaes (8/10):

Put in an outstanding performance against Haaland, demonstrating resilience and composure in the physical battle. He stood firm and played a key role in thwarting Manchester City's attacking efforts, earning praise for his defensive prowess.

Jakub Kiwior (5/10):

Found it challenging to contain Bernardo, who posed a constant threat with his runs. It appeared that Manchester City targeted him, resulting in a difficult afternoon for the makeshift left-back. Kiwior struggled to cope with the intensity and pace of City's attacks, contributing to Arsenal's defensive challenges on the left flank.

Midfield

Jorginho (6/10):

Showed composure and efficiency in midfield, contributing to protecting the back four effectively. While he fulfilled his defensive duties well, he didn't have as much influence on the game as he and Arsenal would have hoped, struggling to assert control in midfield.

Declan Rice (7/10):

Engaged in a highly competitive midfield battle with Rodri, showcasing his quality and effectiveness. His performance highlighted why Guardiola had shown interest in bringing him to Manchester City, as he demonstrated excellent defensive awareness and distribution skills.

Martin Odegaard (6/10):

Demonstrated calmness under pressure and displayed an inclination to press when opportunities arose. However, he struggled to find space in dangerous areas to pose a significant threat to City's defense. Despite his efforts to contribute to Arsenal's attacking play, he was unable to create clear-cut chances to trouble City's backline.

Attack

Bukayo Saka (4/10):

Struggled to make an impact throughout the game and failed to pose a significant threat to City's defense. Although he managed to deliver one dangerous cross in the second half, he appeared to be lacking full fitness, which hindered his effectiveness on the field.

Kai Havertz (6/10):

Demonstrated effective leadership as he led the attacking line, despite not seeing much of the ball. Utilizing his physical presence, he managed to cause occasional problems for City's defense whenever the ball was played up to him. However, he was unable to create clear scoring opportunities due to limited service.

Gabriel Jesus (6/10):

Showed a mix of liveliness and frustration throughout the game. While he remained actively involved in the match, he fell short of his best form. Jesus had a couple of attempts off target in the first half but struggled to find the back of the net. Despite his efforts, he was unable to make a decisive impact on the game.

Subs & Manager

Thomas Partey (5/10):

Came on as a substitute for Jorginho but appeared to lack sharpness and agility during his time on the pitch. His performance seemed somewhat sluggish, indicating that he may still be working his way back to full fitness.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (5/10):

Introduced to neutralize the threat posed by Doku after his second-half entrance. While he effectively fulfilled his defensive duties, his passing accuracy was inconsistent at times, leading to some misplaced passes.

Leandro Trossard (5/10):

Showcased a moment of skill to evade Doku but was unable to make a significant impact overall. He had one late chance on the break, but his effort was saved by the opposition goalkeeper.

Gabriel Martinelli (N/A):

Failed to make a notable impact after coming on as a substitute, as he struggled to get involved in the game effectively.

Mikel Arteta (6/10):

Likely pleased with his team's resilient performance, particularly in defense. However, his decision to risk Saka's participation after injury did not yield the desired results, raising concerns about the potential aggravation of the player's injury. Overall, Arteta will be satisfied with the result but may have some areas to address in terms of player fitness and decision-making.