Unai Emery’s firsrt Arsenal game strted in a positive fashion with Aaron Ramsey getting a look on goal after just a couple of minutes, but then City settled and started to take control with Mahrez getting lots of space on the left. Inevitably, it seems, Raheem Sterling put the visitors ahead after just 14 minutes and City looked like they were going to dominate last last season.
They stayed on the front foot and tried to intimidate the Gunners into conceding again, but Arsenal rode out the storm, despite Cech nearly putting a simple back pass into the net somehow. The Gunners were under the cosh and I don’t remember seeing Aubameyang any time in the first half hour.
Maitland-Niles had been run ragged and needed treatment after a tough foul and after another ten minutes Emery replaced him with Lichtsteiner. City carried on their dominance and it was only after we heard that we had four minutes added time did we see Arsenal go on the offensive and we saw the first chance from Aubameyang.
The first 15 minutes of the second half saw City again on the front foot, and Emery decided to change things around and swapped Lacazette for Ramsey to go all out for an equalizer, and the Frenchman had a chance nearly straight away but couldn’t quite get it on target.
After the hour mark Aguero should have doubled City’s lead after a mistake by the flagging Guendouzi, but Cech was equal to it, but he couldn’t stop Bernardo Silva stunning shot 4 minutes later to give City a 2-0 cushion.
Guendouzi skys one but to be honest the Gunners never really looked like coming back although they had a go right at the death but without success, but it was good to see Torreira brought on at last.
We just have to accept we were playing one of the best teams in Europe, and it will take time for Arsenal to get used to Emery, and Emery to get Arsenal working. At least they didn’t destroy us this time around…