Arsenal battled with 10-men to carry on to a 2-2 draw towards Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad on Sunday.
The north London aspect regarded set to realize a victory over the reigning Premier League champions, selecting to deploy defensive techniques to cling on to their 2-1 lead, earlier than John Stones threw his aspect a lifeline within the 98th minute to reward Metropolis a late level.
The Gunners had been pressured to accept a draw, however might take satisfaction of their skill to defend effectively for many of the second half.
Here is two winners and one loser from Arsenal’s draw with Metropolis, in response to 90min’s esteemed participant rankings.
David Raya: 9/10
Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya deserves his flowers for his efficiency towards Metropolis. His aspect spend the vast majority of the ultimate 45 minutes camped in entrance of his purpose, but he by no means let this section him and as a substitute stepped up for his group once more, and once more.
Raya made a number of essential saves to forestall Metropolis from taking a lead, making the precise choices contained in the field to turn into a rock amongst Arsenal’s backline.
He took immense strain off of his defenders by popping out for crosses and involving himself when the ball reached harmful positions. Raya acted in a protected, composed method, conducting the backline to reveal a defensive masterclass for a big portion of the conflict.
If he wasn’t between the sticks, Metropolis might’ve ran away with a lead.
Honourable point out
Jurrien Timber: 8/10
Jurrien Timber had an distinctive sport towards Metropolis – changing into an aggressive, proactive member of the Gunners’ squad.
He was on the entrance foot at each attainable alternative and stored gamers like Jeremy Doku quiet along with his skill to dominate tackles.
If Mikel Arteta might’ve carved his superb defender, it could’ve been Timber on this sport. The versatile star thrived in each assault and defence whereas the Gunners fought to earn a well-deserved win.
Leandro Trossard: 3/10
Leandro Trossard let his aspect down when he determined to unnecessarily kick the ball away – a sizzling subject amongst the Arsenal camp anyway – after a foul on Bernardo Silva.
Whether or not you thought his sending off was truthful or not, his determination to behave carelessly in a significant fixture impacted his teammates – who had been pressured to spend the remainder of the sport with their backs to the wall to defend their lead.
With Arteta’s damage disaster mounting, acts like this from his gamers won’t go down effectively.