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After a loss last game against their arch-rivals in the Manchester Derby, current Premier League champions Manchester City were looking to bounce back as they headed to the Emirates for this weekend's most anticipated clash. The champions took out the frustration of their recent performances against a demotivated Arsenal squad who are yet to find any rhythm this season.
The visitors scored 3 goals in the first 45 minutes of the game as they tore apart the Gunners in a silent Emirates stadium. Caretaker Freddie Ljungberg could only spectate as a ruthless Manchester City team completely dominated the fixture in front of an Arsenal crowd that looked down in the dumps. Kevin De Bruyne was involved in all 3 goals as Pep Guardiola's men inched closer to the second spot in the table.
Here are some of the hits and flops from the game.
#5 Hit - Bernd Leno
It is a telling fact of Arsenal's current condition when goalkeeper Bernd Leno won their player of the month award without keeping a clean sheet. However, the German international proved that he is perhaps the only shining light in an Arsenal defence that is doing nothing right at the moment.
Denying De Bruyne a hattrick by making one of the saves of the season as he dived in the air to prevent a rocket shot from ending up at the back of his net, Leno was the reason the Gunners did not lose this game by a bigger margin. Manchester City's attack could easily have had a couple more goals if not for the shot-stopper, and he was the only Arsenal player who can be proud of his performance today.
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#4 Flop - Sokratis
The Gunners just cannot defend right now. They cannot play from the back, they have a hard time coordinating their backline when pressured by the opponent, and they are vulnerable to counter-attacks. All of that was highlighted by Sokratis' performance tonight, which was a horror show to watch.
With a total of two tackles and interceptions in the entire game, the Greek international was booked for a bad foul and he could not handle the visitors' offence. The pace of Raheem Sterling and the trickery of De Bruyne was too much for the defender who was second-best throughout the game. It is hard to see Arsenal winning games if their starting centre-back keeps performing like this.
#3 Hit - Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling has been at his brilliant best in recent weeks, but he is still one of the best forwards in the league. The winger scored yet another away goal for his club today as he lashed on to De Bruyne's beautiful passed and scored an easy tap-in past a helpless Leno.
Sterling's agility and off the ball movement left the Arsenal defence in tatters, and he could have just as easily have scored a brace, or even a hattrick today. He was lively, and most of his team's counterattacks came through him. Pep will be hoping that his star winger can maintain form for the busy schedule this month.
#2 Flop - Mesut Ozil
What has happened to Mesut Ozil? Still one of the best midfielders in the world on his day, the German international is having arguably his worst season in top-flight football.
In his 58 minutes on the field today, Ozil did not win a single tackle or intercept the ball even once and could manage only one key pass while creating zero big chances and playing not even one accurate through ball. The former Real Madrid man is supposed to be the team's facilitator and creator, but he cut a very frustrating figure today and lost the ball quite often while slowing down the play.
It came as no surprise that his manager subbed him off before the hour mark, and it one of the midfielder's worst games in recent memory which he would like to move on from.
#1 Hit - Kevin De Bruyne
While Mesut Ozil had one of his worst nights, Kevin De Bruyne had one of the best nights of his career. The Belgian international was involved in all three of his team's goals today, and both of his goals were pieces of individual brilliance which could both be winners for the goal of the month award.
De Bruyne dictated the game for his team and did not put a foot wrong in the entire game. He made 3 key passes, took 5 shots, and completed 2 dribbles as he dominated the Gunners in front of their home crowd. Barring Sadio Mane, there has been perhaps no player as good as the Belgian international this season, and it is hard to find a better midfielder in the world right now who can do everything De Bruyne can.
