MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2018 20

Bernardo Silva Goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva give Manchester City a 2-0 win over Arsenal and a perfect start to their title defence City spoil Arsenal bow Results Liverpool 4 0 W Ham United Southampton 0 0 Burnley Arsenal 0 2 Manchester City

AFP | London

anchester City ruined the start of the Unai MEmery era at Arsenal as the champions signalled their intent to retain the Premier League title with a stylish 2-0 win on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side swept to the title last term with a re- cord 100 points and they were quickly back in the groove at the Emirates Stadium. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with a clinical finish early in the first half and Bernardo Silva’s thun- derous strike capped a City success that served as a re- sounding warning to their Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) runs with the ball title rivals. No team has successfully September 1996. Having spent the dying em- defended the English title Emery was hired to replace bers of Wenger’s reign subject- since Manchester United in Wenger following the French- ing the Frenchman to vitriolic 2008-09. man’s exit at the end of a dismal To start well it’s abuse, Arsenal’s fans were en- But on the evidence of this campaign which saw Arsenal always important ergised by the sight of Emery composed display, City have labour to a sixth-place finish in so we’re very on the touchline. every chance of emulating their the Premier League -- 37 points happy, a fantastic But that noisy optimism was rivals’ achievement. behind City. punctured in ruthless style by Picking up where they left off The Spaniard will need time game for us. Now Sterling in the 14th minute. last term, City had too much to make his mark on a mori - we have to keep Taking possession on the left class for Arsenal and easily re- bund club and, while Arsenal going. We wanted edge of the Arsenal area, Ster- pelled the hosts’ few danger- couldn’t be faulted for effort to be professional ling glided past Hector Bellerin ous moments. against City, there was precious and be serious like and Guendouzi before drilling City’s excellence under- little quality about their play. last season. In the a fierce shot that flashed past lined the size of the task Guardiola insists his players beginning of the the unsighted Cech from 18 facing new Arsenal boss are still “starving” for success yards. Emery as the Gunners and there is little doubt City’s second half we knew Arsenal finally threatened begin life without hunger for silverware remains we had to keep when Bellerin’s blast forced Arsene Wenger. strong. going try and score City goalkeeper Ederson to Arsenal were The City boss started with the second one, they make a good stop. playing a com- Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy started the second Arsenal still looked anxious petitive match Sane on the bench as he re - half very strong but and Cech almost scored a bi- without called Sterling and gave a Pre- in the end we were zarre own goal when his mis- Wenger in mier League debut to Algeria cued pass across the penalty charge for winger Riyad Mahrez, whose better than them area crept wide of his unguard- the first move from Leicester was Guar- BERNARDO SILVA ed net. time diola’s only major close-season Making amends for that since signing. blunder, Cech kept out a Mahrez free-kick before alertly recovering Sterling impresses to block Aymeric Laporte’s effort from the Sterling proved to be City’s creative rebound. fulcrum, but he was fortunate Arsenal were pressing with more urgency to escape with a yellow card than under Wenger, but City looked far more for a studs-up foul on Ar- potent and Mahrez went close with a curling senal debutant Matteo effort at the end of a rapid break. Guendouzi in the early Emery has challenged Pierre-Emerick stages. Aubameyang to finish as the Premier League’s The England winger top scorer after the Gabon forward netted 10 showed the more pleasing times in 13 games following his January move side of his game with an inci- from Borussia Dortmund. sive burst past Shkodran Mustafi However, Aubameyang will need better ser- that took him into the Arsenal area and ended vice than he received against City to achieve with Petr Cech saving his rising drive. that target.