ARSENAL produced an promote performance despite defeat as they went toe to toe with Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Emirates .
The feisty matter may have woken a few from New Year ‘s Day slumbers, as the Gunners proved that they will no long be a walkover for sides like Pep Guardiola ‘s .
Bukayo Saka celebrates giving Arsenal a first-half lead

7

Bukayo Saka celebrates giving Arsenal a first-half lead credit : Getty
Mikel Arteta, lacking due to Covid-19, will have watched on proudly from home as his team produced closely an hour of bright, energetic football to lead City – before a madden sequence of events saw Riyad Mahrez equalize from the topographic point – with Gabriel Magalhaes sent off equitable two minutes former .
After ten-man Arsenal were left heartbroken by a stop time Rodri winner, here ‘s how SunSport ‘s Etienne Fermie rated each performer .

AARON RAMSDALE – 6

closely caught flapping at an early cross, lone for Ruben Dias to miss the target .
England external then had surprisingly little to do, and was helpless for Rodri ‘s late winner .

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 7

japanese star was a welcome returnee for the Gunners and was n’t afraid to get physical with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne when attacked .
Takehiro Tomiyasu used all of his defensive smarts to largely thwart City, while besides providing one or two becoming crosses .
Takehiro Tomiyasu wasn't afraid to get stuck in

7

Takehiro Tomiyasu was n’t afraid to get stuck in credit : pascal
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

BEN WHITE – 8

Defender produced some excellent distribution from the back, most notably clipping an impressive loft pass in-behind. Remained by and large unflurried under atmospheric pressure flush when his side were a man down .

GABRIEL – 4

good treatment to thwart Sterling early on and had looked comfortable in the first base half .
Lost his oral sex after City ‘s counterweight and was booked for scuffing the penalty spot, before needlessly clattering Gabriel Jesus on the half-way line moments later to earn a second chicken and his marching orders in the sixtieth minute – costing his team the crippled .
Brazilian was red carded after leaving Gabriel Jesus in a heap

7

brazilian was red tease after leaving Gabriel Jesus in a batch credit : Getty

KIERAN TIERNEY – 7

Slid a smart passing over to Bukayo Saka for Arsenal ‘s opener. Scot was on hand american samoa common to scurry down the left flank and causal agent problems Stood up to the slippery Riyad Mahrez all afternoon .

THOMAS PARTEY – 9

Conjured a brilliant nutmeg on Bernardo Silva before playing Gabriel Martinelli through .
ghanaian was everywhere, producing invaluable interventions and setting Arsenal on their way with arguably his best performance for the Gunners .
Thomas Partey put his head where it hurts for his team

7

Thomas Partey put his question where it hurts for his team credit : public address system

GRANIT XHAKA – 6

swiss former captain was sent off in discredit during August ‘s 5-0 frustration at the Etihad.

But things had been going indeed well here … until he fouled Silva in the penalty area, for which he was booked – with Mahrez equalising from the spot .
Granit Xhaka's foul on Bernardo Silva turned the game

7

Granit Xhaka ‘s foul on Bernardo Silva turned the game citation : AP

BUKAYO SAKA – 8

Slid the ball brilliantly beyond Ederson to give the Gunners a 31st hour lead. England international Saka was a ceaseless threat down the right flank, causing Nathan Ake a numeral of headaches .
Booked for disagree not long after Arsenal went down to ten men .
Bukayo Saka slides Arsenal into the lead

7

Bukayo Saka slides Arsenal into the lead citation : Reuters

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7

Brought down by Ederson in the box in the tenth minute, merely to be ignored by VAR. norwegian is starting ahead of Emile Smith Rowe at at the moment and justified his choice with a bright performance knitting things together for his team. Was substituted for Rob Holding after Gabriel ‘s red menu .

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6

noteworthy velvet master set up a dangerous early attack. Denied by Ederson when one-on-one curtly after .
brazilian twice closely fired the Gunners two goals ahead before half-time – inaugural curling the ball narrowly over the prevention, before former slaloming through the City defense entirely to poke the musket ball narrowly wide .
Martinelli then fluffed a huge opportunity after Nathan Ake ‘s goal-line headroom had spared City ‘s blushes. He was a constant threat but should have converted at least one of his numerous chances .Gabriel Martinelli terrified City defenders with his directness

7

Gabriel Martinelli terrified City defenders with his candor credit : alpha fetoprotein

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 6

Skipper never gave City ‘s back occupation a moment ‘s peace. His energy and work rate set the tone from the battlefront .
Frenchman could n’t quite sniff out any chances to score and was replaced by Emile Smith Rowe in the second half .

SUBSTITUTES

Rob Holding ( for Odegaard, 62 ) – 6
Booked curtly after coming on for fouling Kevin De Bruyne and stopping a rejoinder attack. Defended manfully for half an hour. Emile Smith Rowe ( for Lacazette, 71 ) – 6
Worked hard but faced an uphill battle to change the game after Gabriel ‘s red .
Mohamed Elneny ( for Saka, 84 ) – N/A
Did n’t have adequate time to make a huge impingement.

Subs not used : Leno, Maitland-Niles, Soares, Pepe, Tavares, Lokonga
Read our Transfer News Live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals