Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City ran out comfortable winners over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The forward broke the deadlock after just 48 seconds before Laurent Koscielny levelled the scores from a corner 10 minutes later.

Aguero restored his side's lead just before half-time before netting his third with a scrappy finish in the second half.

Sportsmail's Jack Gaughan runs the rule over the players at the Etihad.

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City eased past Arsenal at the Etihad

Manchester City (4-3-3)

Ederson - 7

Always alert to danger and the goalkeeper swept up behind the defence with his usual gusto.

Kyle Walker - 7

A few huge tackles to save City when Arsenal broke as he attempts to re-find some form.

Fernandinho - 8

Thankless task having to alternate between centre half and central midfield but coped as expected.

Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho dribbles with the ball under pressure from Lucas Torreira

Nicolas Otamendi – 7

Rash on occasions but reading of the game was steady, especially given his lack of recent games.

Aymeric Laporte – 7.5

Nullified the possible threat of Alex Iwobi well and was productive in an attacking sense too.

Kevin De Bruyne - 8

A polished afternoon, more like the De Bruyne of last season as he forcefully ran the midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne plays a pass during the second half of the Premier League clash at the Etihad

Ilkay Gundogan - 7

Strange performance. Slowed City down at times but then provided moments of killer quality.

David Silva - 7

A little off colour earlier in the game but started to grow into it and pick his passes with added care.

Bernardo Silva - 7

Came into his own when City stretched the game. Some really silky touches on the right.

Sergio Aguero - 9

Stayed on the last man rather than dropping for possession. Left with the matchball. Proper striker's hat-trick.

Aguero puts City back in front from close range shortly before half-time at the Etihad

Raheem Sterling – 8.5

Yet to rescale the heights of earlier in the campaign, although was exceptionally dangerous and ended with two assists.

Subs

Gabriel Jesus (for Aguero, 81)

Riyad Mahrez (for De Bruyne, 88)

Subs not used: Muric, Danilo, Stones, Delph, Sane

Manager: Pep Guardiola – 7

Inventive starting XI was proven correct and so has to be happy with his decisions.

Pep Guardiola issues instructions from the touchline during his side's clash with Arsenal

Arsenal (4-4-2)

Bernd Leno - 7

A collection of decent stops to keep Arsenal in it and could not be faulted for the goals.

Shkodran Mustafi - 6

Looked to handle himself one-on-one but loathes runners in behind and found himself caught out.

Stephan Lichtsteiner – 5.5

Must have thanked his lucky stars that Leroy Sane was benched. Struggled with Sterling's movement.

Stephan Lichtsteiner (left) attempts to challenge De Bruyne during the first half

Laurent Koscielny - 6

The one man back there who cleared away to safety regularly. City were eventually just too much.

Nacho Monreal - 6

Seemed to be keeping Bernardo Silva at arm's length until the hosts turned it on after half-time.

Alex Iwobi - 5

At fault for the first, meek for the third and hooked early by Unai Emery. Not his finest day.

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi (right) is muscled off the ball by English full-back Kyle Walker

Lucas Torreira - 7

Tenacious and, at £26million, looks like more of a bargain with each passing match. Will have admirers from elsewhere.

Matteo Guendouzi – 6

Energetic display, certainly when Arsenal turned City around. Can lack concentration defensively.

Sead Kolasinac - 5

Simply did not get into the game and refused to take the opportunity to rattle Waker's cage.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5.5

Unusually quiet, and much of the credit for that should go to Fernandinho. Barely had a sniff.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks on in frustration during his team's defeat at the Etihad

Alexandre Lacazette – 6.5

Linked play well but Arsenal lacked the legs out wide to help Lacazette out enough.

Subs

Aaron Ramsey (for Iwobi, 66) - 6

Denis Suarez (for Kolasinac, 66) – 5

Konstantinos Mavropanos (for Mustafi, 79)

Subs not used: Cech, Elneny, Ozil, Nketiah

Manager: Unai Emery – 6.5

Brave decision to play 4-4-2 at the Etihad and might have worked on another day.

Referee: Martin Atkinson – 5

Some big calls were just plain wrong. Atkinson is fortunate they didn't affect the end result.