Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal: Player Ratings as Guardiola gets one over Arteta | Premier League 2020-21

Manchester City got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

A goal from Raheem Sterling midway through the first half was enough to settle this contest between master and apprentice, as Mikel Arteta fell to his second straight league loss against Pep Guardiola.

That defeat now makes it 29 away games without a win against the top six for Arsenal, who have already fallen to defeats at Liverpool and now Manchester City this season.

Here's how each player fared for both sides.

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Manchester City Player Ratings

Ederson Moraes - 8/10

After being responsible for City dropping points in their last league game at Leeds, Ederson bounced back really well. He made a couple of excellent stops to deny Saka and Aubameyang the chance to equalise for Arsenal.

Joao Cancelo - 5/10

Cancelo was the weakest link in the City defence. He was caught constantly unaware of men around him, and unable to deal with the dribbling ability of Saka.

Kyle Walker - 7/10

Walker's pace was crucial on the cover for Arsenal, as he denied Aubameyang several opportunities to run in behind the City defence, when Arsenal were on the break.

Ruben Dias - 8/10

In only his second game for City, Dias was outstanding. He wasn't really involved in a physical battle with any of the Arsenal strikers, but he was always there at the right place at the right time, to nip Arsenal attacks in the bud.

Nathan Ake - 6/10

Ake had the rather challenging task of trying to keep Nicolas Pepe quiet, in his role as a left-back. He dealt pretty well with the Ivorian's dribbling and pace.

Rodri - 5/10

Rodri was walking a tightrope after getting booked early in the game. He couldn't commit to a challenge, which mean that he was given a torrid time by Saka, who dribbled past him more than once.

Bernardo Silva - 7/10

Starting in a deeper midfield role, Bernardo was really effective. His work-rate and pressing were outstanding, and gives Guardiola another option in midfield.

Phil Foden - 6/10

It was his shot which Leno saved, before Sterling tucked in the rebound. He should've scored a few minutes later, but was denied by Leno's outstretched right leg.

Riyad Mahrez - 8/10

Mahrez was City's best attacking player on the night. His dribbling was outstanding, and gave Tierney a rather difficult evening. He set the tone right in the first minute, when he fizzed a curler wide.

Raheem Sterling - 7/10

Sterling didn't really have his best game, but he won City the game with the goal that mattered. In a season like this, at its current stage, City want the points, they don't care about how or where they come from.

Sergio Aguero - 6/10

Aguero was not exactly at his best, which is predictable, after four months out with injury. But he did have some really encouraging moments, which should give Guardiola reason to be optimistic.

Substitutes

Ilkay Gundogan - 5/10

Gundogan replaced Aguero, and marked his return to the first-team, after being ruled out due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Fernandinho - N/A

He came on late in the game, as City looked to see things through with no damage being done.

Arsenal Player Ratings

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League

Bernd Leno - 7/10

Leno made a couple of decent stops in the first half. He couldn't have done any better for the City goal, as he made a decent first save, only for Sterling to pounce on the rebound.

Hector Bellerin - 4/10

Bellerin was poor. Foden gave him a really tough time down Arsenal's right. The Spaniard wasn't really a factor in this game in an attacking sense either. He also might have cleared Sterling's goal off the line, if he had been more alert.

David Luiz - 6/10

A late inclusion in this Arsenal side after Holding's injury, Luiz fared much better than his last outing at the Etihad, which ended in disaster. In the last few minutes of the game, he really helped drive Arsenal forward, but to no real effect.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 5/10

He could have conceded a penalty in the second half, when he blocked off Bernardo Silva. Even in other situations, there is still a lack of conviction about certain defensive actions of his.

Kieran Tierney - 4/10

Mahrez gave the Scot a real tough time. The Algerian's ability to play the ball off both feet really caught Tierney out. He tried to show Mahrez on to his right foot, but that was an option that ALgerian took without hesitation, and made things happen for City.

Bukayo Saka - 8/10

Saka was Arsenal's best player of the game. His dribbling was a big problem for Cancelo and, in particular, Rodri. He was denied at the end of the first half by a fine Ederson save as well.

Dani Ceballos - 6/10

Ceballos was decent in midfield, but he wasn't spectacular. With Arsenal playing on the break for most of the game, his passing needed to be a lot quicker and a lot more penetrative.

Granit Xhaka - 5/10

Xhaka was sometimes a yard slower to some loose balls, which Bernardo Silva beat him to. The Swiss wasn't really able to provide the intensity that Arteta required in midfield.

Willian - 4/10

Willian started as the false nine, and in an unsuited role, he didn't really impact the game too much.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 4/10

The Arsenal captain had one big chance, which Ederson (and the offside flag) denied him. He was very quiet for most of the game though, as Arsenal didn't quite use him well enough.

Nicolas Pepe - 4/10

He had a couple of half-chances, which he might have done better with. But in truth, he made Ake's life a lot easier than it should have been.

Substitutes

Alexandre Lacazette - 5/10

He replaced Willian, but his hold-up play was atrocious, and gave Arsenal no base to start their attacks off.

Eddie Nketiah - N/A

He came on for the last few minutes but barely had a touch of the ball.

Thomas Partey - N/A

The Ghanaian made his much-awaited Arsenal debut.