ManCity overruns Arsenal: Gündogan initiates 5-0 victory

Summary:

Arsenal's horror start is perfect: The Gunners lost 5-0 at Manchester City and are still waiting for the first point and the first goal in the Premier League after the third game.

Details:

Manchester City's coach Pep Guardiola caused a surprise even before the kick-off: For the first time since autumn 2017, the Spaniard sent the same starting eleven onto the field in the Premier League in two consecutive games. As in the 5-0 victory over newly promoted Norwich City, Gündogan wore the captain's armband again.

Arsenal drew hope for a turnaround in the League Cup during the week, with West Brom having a 6-0 shooting festival. Mikel Arteta made four changes compared to the appearance during the week: Leno returned for Ramsdale and celebrated an anniversary: ​​The German national goalkeeper came to his 100th appearance in the Premier League. Cedric, Smith Rowe and Tierney also started for Elneny, Pepe and Nuno Tavares.

"Header monster" Gündogan opened - Xhaka's disservice

Arsenal traveled to Manchester with zero points and zero goals and the first half proved another major setback for the Gunners. The Londoners started bravely, but the champions' first attack revealed the defensive weaknesses: After a cross from Gabriel Jesus, Chambers, captain Gündogan - anything but a "header monster" - was allowed to head in from close range. Leno was still there with his fingertips, but could no longer prevent the impact (7th).

The goal of the German national player also set the course early on. ManCity did not give the impression of having to call up one hundred percent performance, was against an overstrained arsenal that was only out to limit the damage, but always in control of the situation. Ferran Torres (12th) and Gabriel Jesus (43rd) shot out the 3-0 break score without much resistance. The last goal, which new signing Grealish prepared perfectly, the Gunners were only ten after Xhaka was thrown off the pitch after an overly tough attack against Joao Cancelo in the 35th minute.
Only the jubilee Leno braces himself against the defeat

Outnumbered, Arsenal was completely lost. The second round featured mostly one-way football. With very few exceptions, the game only knew one direction, at times ManCity put on a power play in front of the Arsenal penalty area. One of the ball relays around the Gunners' sixteen led to the 4-0. After several stops, Rodrigo was cleared shortly before the edge of the penalty area, the Spaniard hit the lower right corner of the goal with a fine flick (53rd).

It was at least one class difference that now separated the two teams. ManCity were still hungry for goals, but initially Leno prevented further goals. The German national goalkeeper braced himself against further goals on his anniversary, but was criminally left alone by his front men. But in the 69th minute and in the 78th minute Leno reacted brilliantly twice against the substitute Sterling.

Ferran Torres puts the finishing touches

Another goal was only a matter of time. And this fell in the 84th minute: Mahrez was once again not attacked on the right, ran into position and crossed into the penalty area with his left as soft as butter. At the six-yard box two Arsenal defenders lost sight of Ferran Torres, who was able to head in front of Leno to make it 5-0. With that the final score was established, a sixth goal and thus half a dozen ManCity then no longer succeeded.