Manchester City vs Arsenal player ratings: Ruben Dias wasteful but David Raya stands strong again

Manchester City and Arsenal traded blows in an exhilarating first half, before Leandro Trossard’s second yellow card left Mikel Arteta’s side hanging on for dear life.

Arsenal came close to holding out after a robust second-half rearguard, but were denied three points by John Stones’ goal in the eighth minute of injury time.

The point leaves City two points clear of their title rivals, but Arsenal will feel heartened by claiming seven points from early season visits to Aston Villa, Tottenham and now City.

This is how the two teams rated.

Manchester City (4-3-3)

Ederson 5

City goalkeeper had no chance of stopping Arsenal’s first goal but perhaps should have been stronger for the second, from the inswinging corner.

Kyle Walker 5

Right-back was understandably angry after being called out of position by the referee ahead of Arsenal’s first goal. Failed to stop Gabriel scoring the second.

Manuel Akanji 6

The bizarre nature of the second half meant that Akanji had little defending to do. Instead he was camped on the edge of Arsenal’s box.

Ruben Dias 5

Saw plenty of the ball and took plenty of shots from range, none of which ever seemed to threaten the Arsenal goal. Wasteful at times.

Josko Gvardiol 6

Had few answers to Arsenal’s attacking threat from set pieces in the first half. As with the other defenders, became a makeshift attacker after the break.

Bernardo Silva 5

Usually so comfortable in tight spaces but this was an afternoon that required an intricacy that was beyond even him. Seemed exhausted by the end.

Rodri 6

A bruising and brief occasion for the boss of City’s midfield. Flattened after a few seconds and then limped off after 20 minutes with a worrying injury.

Ilkay Gundogan 6

Twice went close in the first half but soon became yet another blue shirt lost amid the red-and-white shirts.

Savinho 7

Swerved past Calafiori to create the opening goal with a lovely assist and buzzed with threatening intentions. Subbed off late on.

Erling Haaland 7

His 100th goal for City was a typically deadly finish, after another of those powerful runs in behind. Crowded out in the second half.

Jeremy Doku 5

Offered little against 11 men or after the red card, with Timber proving to be a formidable obstacle. Should he have been booked for delaying the restart?

Subs: Kovacic (Rodri 21), Foden (Doku 70), Grealish (Savinho 78), Stones (Walker 78)

Booked: Ederson, Dias, Bernardo

Arsenal (4-4-2)

David Raya 8

Beaten by a master marksman on the opening goal but was as resilient and commanding as anyone as Arsenal defended throughout the second half.

Jurrien Timber 8

Has enjoyed a hugely impressive start to the campaign and was successful in nullifying the threat of Doku. Totally drained at the end.

William Saliba 7

One of the few players in the world who seems to enjoy playing against Haaland. Could not stop the first goal but was tireless in the second-half siege.

Gabriel Magalhaes 8

Missed the first big chance from a corner, but buried the second. An incredible weapon at set-pieces and a defensive leader when the going got tough.

Riccardo Calafiori 6

Beaten by Savinho for City’s early goal but made up for it in spectacular fashion with the brilliant long-range equaliser. An encouraging first start.

Bukayo Saka 6

Captained the team from the start and delivered the corner for Gabriel’s goal, but was removed at half-time following Trossard’s red card.

Thomas Partey 6

Turned in the wrong direction for the opening City goal, allowing Savinho to slice through, but put in an enormous defensive shift after the break.

Declan Rice 6

Like his team-mates, had to defend throughout the second half. A brutal and exhausting match in which he effectively played like an extra centre-back at times.

Gabriel Martinelli 7

The Brazilian has struggled for consistency recently but he created Arsenal’s first goal here. Never stopped running as Arsenal defended for their lives.

Kai Havertz 6

Not a day to demonstrate his attacking quality, instead having to run and battle as Arsenal clung on. A huge physical effort.

Leandro Trossard 4

Arsenal will understandably complain of refereeing inconsistency but it is also true that Trossard erred by kicking the ball away.

Subs: White (Saka 46), Kiwior (Calafiori 74), Jesus (Martinelli 87), Lewis-Skelly (Timber 92)

Booked: Rice, Partey

Sent off: Trossard