Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester City: Leandro Trossard impresses despite FA Cup exit

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round after losing to Manchester City.

Defender Nathan Ake scored the only goal of the game at the Etihad, finding the bottom corner with a low effort from inside the box midway through the second-half.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made several changes to his team for this game and he will have been pleased with how his side fought.

The Gunners will face City again on February 15 but this time in the Premier League, where Arsenal are five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Simon Collings was at the Etihad to see Arsenal in action...

Matt Turner 7

Looked shaky with the ball at his feet early on, but he improved as the game went on. Made some good saves and couldn’t do much about the goal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu 6

Had a good first-half but faded a bit after the break. Will be disappointed with the goal and the way Jack Grealish picked out Ake.

Rob Holding 6

Was looking fairly solid as he kept Erling Haaland quiet early on. Was booked after tangling with him just before break and subsequently taken off at half-time.

Gabriel 7

Continued his fine form since the World Cup with another good performance. Is oozing confidence right now and looks so much more composed on the ball compared to last season.

Kieran Tierney 6

Worked hard to make an impact given he is behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order. Defensively solid, but not as effective going forward.

Fabio Vieira 6

Had the odd nice touch or pass, however he just couldn’t impact the game in the way Martin Odegaard does. Struggled physically at times.

Thomas Partey 7

Was having a good game at the base of the midfield, breaking up play and putting in a few crunching tackles. Subbed off at half-time after appearing to take a knock to ribs.

Granit Xhaka 7

One of Arsenal’s better players and brought some control to the midfield. Almost setup an equaliser with a great cross for Nketiah.

Bukayo Saka 6

Started the game after Emile Smith Rowe was ruled out with a thigh injury. Had the odd nice darting run, but wasn’t at his best.

Saka struggled to get into the game at the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Saka struggled to get into the game at the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

Eddie Nketiah 6

Not really in the game much and had a tough evening up against Man City’s two centre-backs. Went close to scoring in the second-half from a Xhaka cross.

Leandro Trossard 7 | Star player

Impressed on his full debut. Beat his full-back a number of times and went close to scoring in the first-half, but Stefan Ortega made a good save.

Substitutions

William Saliba (Holding 45’) 7

On at the break and looked a step up from Holding, especially in possession.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (Partey 45’) 6

Struggled to fill in for Partey, which is understandable given the Ghana international’s form recently.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Tierney 65’) 6

Given a standing ovation as he returned to his old club. Put in a solid display.

Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 65’) 7

On for the final 25 minutes but couldn’t change the tide despite a bright cameo.

Martin Odegaard (Saka 74’) N/A

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Kiwior, White, Marquinhos.