Reigning champions Manchester City picked up where they left off from last season after putting in a solid shift at the Emirates and spoiling the welcome party for new Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
Match Events
9' CHANCE! Sterling's shot saved
Some good saves from Cech in recent minutes as a throw-in is tapped into the path of Sterling by Aguero, and the England winger makes a tricky run into the area, getting the better of Mustafi, before striking but his effort is turned behind by Cech at the near post.
14' GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Man City (Sterling)
A wonderful goal from Sterling and Man City are on the scoresheet 14 minutes into their title defence.
He picks up the ball on the top left corner before trotting across the top of the area, beating Bellering, and striking, sending the ball flying past Cech in the goal.
28' Great saves from Cech
SAVE!!! Mahrez takes the free-kick after a dummy run from Gundogan and it whistles through the two Man City players in the wall, with Cech getting down well to push the ball away before also smothering Laporte's follow up effort.
56' Lacazette's shot misses to the right
Lazacette goes close with his first touches of the game! Mkhitaryan lays the ball off for his team-mate on the edge of the box, he takes the ball down and then hits the ball on the volley, but it goes narrowly wide of the post.
64' GOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Man City (Bernardo Silva)
Bernardo Silva doubles the Champions lead, after a shaky 10 minutes in which Arsenal were starting to get on top. Mendy races forward down the left, plays a one-two with Sterling and the cuts the ball back to Silva who fired the ball past Cech, who had no chance.
79' Offside! Aubameyang's goal isn't allowed
Aubameyang has the ball in the net, but the linesman has his flag up for offside. Torreira plays a great ball forward for the striker, who just manages to get on the end of it and poke the ball into the net, off the crossbar. However, the officials pull it back immediately for offside
Match Report
Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva got Manchester City's Premier League title defence up and running with a deserved 2-0 win at Arsenal.
Sterling made six starts in England's semi-final run at the 2018 World Cup and only returned to training with City on Monday.
He rewarded Pep Guardiola's faith with a lively showing and a clinically dispatched 14th-minute opener.
The first game of Arsenal's new era under Unai Emery often proved a thankless task but there were moments of encouragement before Silva settled the issue with a brilliantly taken second in the 64th minute.
What it means: City show their class, plenty of work ahead for Emery
After Liverpool's impressive close-season in the transfer market and emphatic 4-0 win over West Ham it was time for the champions to restate their own credentials. The manner in which City beguiled their hosts during the opening half hour showed they unquestionably remain the team to beat this term. Emery's men fought gamely and he will get a better read on his team when they face Maurizio Sarri's similarly embryonic project at Chelsea.
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Petr Cech, M. Özil, Sokratis, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Mustafi, G. Xhaka, Bellerín, A.M Niles, M. Guendouzi
Subs: S. Lichtsteiner, Lacazette, B. Leno, M.Elneny, A. Iwobi, L. Torreira, Holding
Manchester City XI: S. Agüero, Fernandinho, K. Walker, İ. Gündoğan, Mahrez, R. Sterling, B. Mendy, A.Laporte, J. Stones, Ederson Moraes, Bernardo Silva
Subs: V. Kompany, C. Bravo, N. Otamendi, K. De Bruyne, Sané, Gabriel Jesus, Foden
gunnerfc
150
Wow one game and you guys are vex, Unai doesnt have a magic wond, i saw some positives, we pressed a bit more, we actually made crosses in the box, and we defended better against set pieces and Emery( unlike Wenger) talk to the players rough from the sideline think he was so pissed he didnt shake pep hands after. Work to be done in defence against the run of play and our finishing is not good enough, Lichsteiner definitely has to start for me. We have to give Emery some time
L10NELMESSI
103
Arsenal had some positives from this game Xhaka Awful Ozil Anonymous Guendonzi Encouraging & excellent desire & pressing although he made some errors Arsenal Played below par game the main reason is that players didn't contribute.. Work in progress for emery
Feeelop
93
gudiola also suffer the same defeat in his first EPL season, let give emery sum little credit cos this is his first game at EPL and don't 4get that arsenal is a dead team before emery took ova from Wenger he got alot of works to do at arsenal.
sadistic
84
Woeful performance, that was painful to watch as Manchester city fan. Mendy looked clueless and very poor defensively. Couldn't even remember gundogan from this match. Mahrez was very poor again. Ederson was sloppy and played passes with his eye closed particularly in the second half. Too many times possession was turned over in the dangerous areas of the pitch. Aguero flunked the easiest chance in the match. Luckily arsenal weren't ruthless and our second half performance was complete tosh. The only player who is worth watching over and over again was Bernardo silva. If this performance is anything to go by. Then we're in for shocker and trouble
puhort
70
dear fellow arsenal fans the biggest midfield problem z Granit Xhaka if u didn't know. he z killing future arsenal talents check on what he did to rising Francis C where z he now 'he has no support for other midfielders see he did to promising Matteo Guendouzi .this fake man should be thrown out of squad. see how Matteo started displaying his quality after he Xhaka was substituted by Torreira.Lucas z a very supporting midfielder unlike Xhaka who z a gambler Mr. Emery check on that if u want to nurture a great young star thanks.
zuybekmpsz
66
its just astart but actually that kind tacts we used i think cech is not afavourate to me we need atlist leno to try that but it was not abad game to concieve 0-2 i thought of 0-4,then back to our key players the likes of Mesut,Aaron,Auba,mhk they didnt sacrifice in that spirit of hustling in addition to that oooh my God unai is using Aaron on awrong department he is not ment feature auba he is ment to feature matteo or xhaka...sure win to arsenal to chelsea
nanik
57
Disappointed, but not disappointing. Really great pressing and play after winning the ball back against the top passing team in the league. Against other opposition we'll damage. Guendouzi played really well. He's ready to play at this level. Few mistakes but remember he's a 19 year old jumping from French league 2 to Prem League. Cech made brilliant stops. Lichsteiner really good even at Left Back. Auba looked a little tired. Brilliant intent with the ball instead of aimless possession. A little lack of chemistry and telepathy in attack. A lot of promise. Will be a good season with an exciting new style of play.
Raobkpsy
56
early days guys arsenal played well considering that for unai it's new to premier league. well done guys bright future. our problem is that we need instant results but guys this is football. let's give them time and time will tell. don't judge on just one game.
Mehdi_rebel
56
Wow one game and you guys are vex, Unai doesnt have a magic wond, i saw some positives, we pressed a bit more, we actually made crosses in the box, and we defended better against set pieces and Emery( unlike Wenger) talk to the players rough from the sideline think he was so pissed he didnt shake pep hands after. Work to be done in defence against the run of play and our finishing is not good enough, Lichsteiner definitely has to start for me. We have to give Emery some time #Gunnersss4life
irony
53
thoughts on Emery first competitive game; 1.Im disappointed 2. Guendouzi is a real talent an had a good 2nd half apart from the mistake that let kun in. 3. Cech is a different player under Emery an couldn’t do anything about those goals. 4. Lichy will save us points with his experience this season even tho imo he was at fault for the 2nd goal. 5. Torreira will replace Xhaka in no time. 6. Ramsey should start at CM. 7. We have to play Ozil at No.10 8. Laca & Auba should possibly start together. 9. It will take more time to get better but the defence was pretty good apart from the first 20mins. 10. Even tho it was 2-0 I think this team is very capable of getting a top 4 spot and can only get better as we play more together. It is certainly a new dawn at Arsenal and there are a lot of positives we can take from today’s game but we need to remember this is the very start of a new project at Arsenal and we’re not going to turn into the invincible’s overnight it will still take a bit of time for the team to really gel together. Onwards and upwards from here.
follower
52
waiting for emery to drop ramsey and xhaka to the bench against Chelsea , they need to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger. keeping players who are not performing in the starting lineup is unacceptable. who is waiting to see that happen and see ramsey is extended a new contract? 🔥🔥🔥🔥📣📣📣📣📣
Barca_West
52
Both teams wasn’t at their best even though city comes on top but that’s not the city nor Asernal we use to watch. There were some positive though Unai new boys especially Guendonzi, he showed some good composure and give some key passes too even though they came to nothing, Auba and Lacazzete can work together Ozil and Mghki need to step up their game and defense need to be solid too. Guadiola’s city just need to duplicate their passing accuracy and winning possession back last season. The big six are all on the way now and the Premier league is Lit 🔥🔥🔥
Niwdeiprt
49
The main problem with Arsenal was defensive midfielder xakha has proved before that he is not the man to protect the back four. I thought this was the main pushing force for the signing of tolerance. It is also why we even think of zonzi. Then why the manager put xakha on the ground? OK no problem if we are not plan to defend then we should attack why manager put lacazette bench? To me Arsenal has not lose its the manager's approach to the game lost. Big game you need big players and big plan I can see both in his starting 11 may be he is new or incapable soon we will know the reality
follower
40
things to learn: 1- arsenal are not premier league contenders 2- man city can beat any team even without debreyne, sane, etc..... 3- arsenal fans are not having patience and are leaving the pitch early because emery style is not up to what is expected 4- torreira and guendozi brings some positivity by showing the world that they can play together. also, both have a great vision and a great accuracy passes 5- emery shows that he can drop players to the bench when not performing, i am expecting ramsey and xhaka will start from the bench against Chelsea 6- the curse of injuries is still happening in arsenal
Godvictor
36
Totally outplayed, below par performance, on opening day, a loss at home 😠😠 what a game to forget. During Wenger's reign we normally started on a low, gained momentum mid-wise and finally finished on a low.. I hope it's different story with Emery's, that we'll gain our rythm and finish on a high 💪😎💯 Game 1, Match day 1
Jihadkoty
35
we must not fail to mention defensive errors. Mustafi and Sokratis have not bonded well in the heart of difference. The team also lack commanding team leader on the pitch. one who organizes, reorganizes, sends out and calls when there is need.
Moore89
33
Any fan criticising the team should just unfollow the page and stop follow arsenal. To be very honest, I'm pleased with boys efforts, but you can see that we are still a work a progress. We have alot of work to do. It's also good defeat as i see it as emery would be able to see the areas of weakness that needs extreme work on. I'm behind the team even more now and come on boys
chango25
28
Today we sow old Arsenal but some positives we sow a manager who changing his substitute the best time unlike poor Wenger who normally made his changing players at 75munites on his first substitute that's really good work from the Boss. On the other hand Xkhaka was very very poor he should be on the bench first half or even out of the Squad and play Lucas Terrorera with Candouzi in two midfield. Lacazete should start instead of Aaron Ramsey. so that we would play 4 up front Ozil Mikhiterian, Lacazete and Aubameyang?? anyways what has gone has already gone let us learn some lessons from it and make this changes. let us behind the lads and the managements we can do the best possible to reach our target.
adesinaalamu
20
Arsenal are in soup. What a demoralizing results await gunners' faithful within the first month of new season. Next action for Arsenal would be a date against an improved Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend. I wish Arsenal can get at a draw from blues but it will be great fight. If Arsenal are to lose next game, it will demoralize the team facing the third game but good news is that there will be a FIFA BREAK for an international games after the 3rd week of EPL and hopefully Gunners can use the period to re-strategize and make an excellent synergy within the team before EPL returns by mid-September.
Bolgiba
15
ARSENE'S SPIRIT still roams around Arsenal