The champions gifted the Gunners their first two goals, and from there they fell apart in north London
Manchester City showed their struggles are far from over as they suffered a humbling 5-1 loss against Arsenal on Sunday. The reigning English champions were self-destructive from the beginning, and the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva didn't put up much of a fight under Arsenal's pressure.
It was the worst possible start for City as Maniel Akanji surrendered an early goal. The defender failed to deal with John Stones' risky pass and Arsenal were quick to pounce, with Kai Havertz setting up Martin Odegaard. The visitors almost gave away a second goal thanks to an awful ball from Stefan Ortega resulted in a shot from Havertz, but the German's effort went wide.
City grew into the game with Savinho and Omar Marmoush looking to create something as Erling Haaland was kept silent up front for the entire first half. The striker reminded the Gunners he should never be written off, though, when got up to meet Savinho's perfect delivery and head past David Raya.
However, just 38 seconds after the restart, Arsenal were ahead again through a deflected strike from Thomas Partey, and just six minutes later they were 3-1 up through a fantastic Myles Lewis-Skelly strike.
City hoped the humiliation was complete in the 76th minute when an Arsenal counter-attack ended with Havertz squeezing it past Ortega, but Ethan Nwaneri added a fifth late on.
GOAL rates City's players from Emirates Stadium…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Stefan Ortega (5/10):
Gave Arsenal a great chance with a silly pass that Havertz wasted. Perhaps should have done better with a couple of goals, too.
Matheus Nunes (5/10):
A weak point defensively and didn't offer enough going forward.
Manuel Akanji (3/10):
Gave the ball away for Odegaard's goal in the worst possible start.
John Stones (4/10):
Set Akanji up for failure with his early pass and put up no resistance for either of Lewis-Skelly's or Havertz's goals.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Had some decent moments but was exposed defensively.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Took the sting out of City's attacks by constantly passing backwards.
Mateo Kovacic (7/10):
Put in a solid performance. He fought for the ball and tried his best to get something going.
Omar Marmoush (6/10):
Excellent dead-ball deliveries and a few good passes before he went off after 72 minutes.
Getty Images SportAttack
Phil Foden (4/10):
His terrible pass sent Partey on his way to a stunning goal, summing up the Englishman's performance.
Erling Haaland (5/10):
Was out of the game until he popped up with the equaliser in the 55th minute.
Savinho (7/10):
Was really lively on the wing and teed up Haaland with a fantastic cross.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
James McAtee (5/10):
The damage was done by the time he came on, and he was kept quiet.
Kevin De Bruyne (5/10):
Didn't have much of an impact after his 72nd minute introduction.
Pep Guardiola (4/10):
His team were always second best in this game, with his key men kept quiet and others making glaring and costly mistakes.