Arsenal flops panned by L'Equipe after loss to Manchester City

Gabriel, Thomas Partey and Rob Holding were among the Arsenal flops savaged by L'Equipe after they surrendered the initiative in the Premier League title race to Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta's team crashed 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium to a City side inspired by Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.

The French newspaper was typically unsparing of the poor performers, with Brazilian centre-back Gabriel awarded a lowly 2/10 in their player ratings after he was tormented by City's front line.

Partey, Holding, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli - plus Arteta - each received a meagre 3/10, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale the highest-rated with 6.

The Gunners' line-up received an average rating of just 3.7, which summed up their evening.

By contrast, De Bruyne was given 9/10 and Haaland 8/10 after they inflicted possibly terminal damage to Arsenal's hopes of a first title since 2004.

The Belgian scored twice, both from Haaland assists, with the Norwegian and John Stones also on target. Holding's late consolation didn't boost his rating any.

Gabriel's evening was described by L'Equipe as a 'nightmare' as he failed to close down De Bruyne for City's opening goal and was beaten time after time by the brute strength and speed of Haaland.

Midfielder Partey was also blamed for the opening goal and was described as a mere 'spectator' when De Bruyne scored the third. The paper noted he was lucky to escape a red cad after clashing with Haaland late on.

Their critique of Holding concluded it was 'not a great idea' for him to man-mark Haaland and the defender 'made too many mistakes.'

At the opposite extreme, L'Equipe described De Bruyne's performance as one of 'great beauty' given his two goals and assist for Stones.

Haaland was described as 'omnipresent' but the paper points out he also saw a number of chances saved by Aaron Ramsdale or wasted by firing wide.

Arsenal's top-ranked player Ramsdale was praised for the four efforts he kept out in the first-half.

That ensured the Gunners went in at half-time just the one goal down but in the end they were overwhelmed anyway.

John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Rodri all received a respectable score of 7/10 from L'Equipe, though the City average was a slightly low 6.6 given the win.

Jack Grealish was their lowest-ranked performer with 5/10 but there was love for coach Guardiola, who received 8/10 after his game plan was executed to perfection.