WHAT HAPPENED
Our Premier League campaign started with a defeat to the champions - but there was promise in our performance.
Raheem Sterling scored the opening goal, a fizzing drive into the corner after he scampered infield to shoot from a central position just outside the box.
And Bernardo Silva made the points safe with a brilliant first-time finish.
Manchester City bossed the early stages, spending long periods deep in our defensive third.
Riyad Mahrez was inches away from scoring and Petr Cech was forced into a fine double save to deny the new City signing from a free-kick and the follow-up from Aymeric Laporte.
But, despite a few scares, we stayed in the game. And, with our pressing tactics to the fore, we carved out a few opportunities of our own.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Hector Bellerin’s excellent first touch set up a shot that Ederson pushed away, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired just wide.
Substitute Alex Lacazette made a difference in the second half, and went close within moments of coming on.
But Cech was still busy and had to be at his best to deny Sergio Aguero when he raced through on goal.
It was a temporary reprieve - Bernardo Silva rattled home from Benjamin Mendy’s cutback to give City some breathing space.
That goal took the wind out of our sails and, although we continued to push forward, City kept us at arm’s length for the rest of the game.
There are certainly positives to take from this display, but for now we remain a work in progress.
City - as everyone knows - are the finished article.
HOW IT HAPPENED
See how our Premier League opener panned out with our play-by-play commentary
FOUR THINGS WE NOTICED
Impressive pressing, playing out from the back, Emery’s energy and City’s class
Unai Emery
UNAI’S OPENING FIRST XI
Unai Emery had some tricky selection decisions to make ahead of his first Premier League game in charge.
In the end he picked Cech over Bernd Leno in goal and Matteo Guendouzi ahead of Lucas Torreira in midfield. Mkhitaryan got the nod ahead of Lacazette in the front three and Ainsley Maitland-Niles - as expected - started at left-back.
He didn’t last long though, picking up a first-half injury and replaced by debutant Stephan Lichtsteiner.
WHAT’S NEXT
Another tough test awaits next Saturday when we travel to west London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Then it’s back to the Emirates for another London derby on August 25 - against Jack Wilshere and West Ham United.
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